The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Font for Your Resume That’ll Make Your Future Boss Say ‘WOW!

Your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, and it’s essential that it makes a good one. One often overlooked aspect of resume design is font choice. The right font can help your resume stand out and make it easier to read, while the wrong font can make it look unprofessional and difficult to navigate.

In this guide, we’ll explore the three font categories you should consider for your resume: serif, sans-serif, and combination fonts. We’ll also discuss font size, spacing, and other important considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best font for your resume. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of the fonts that will help your resume shine.

Fonts To Be Discussed

We will be discussing the three main font categories for resumes: serif, sans-serif, and combination fonts.

Serif fonts are characterized by the small lines or flourishes at the ends of their strokes. They are often seen as more traditional and formal, making them a good choice for industries such as law, finance, or academia.

Sans-serif fonts, on the other hand, do not have these small lines or flourishes. They are considered more modern and minimalist, and are often used in creative industries such as graphic design, advertising, or tech.

Combination fonts are a mix of both serif and sans-serif fonts. They can be a great option for resumes because they provide both the traditional, formal feel of serif fonts and the modern, clean look of sans-serif fonts.

Throughout this guide, we will provide examples of each font category and discuss their pros and cons, as well as considerations for font size and spacing. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to choose the best font for your resume.

Serif Fonts

Serif fonts are a classic and traditional font style. They are characterized by small lines or flourishes at the ends of the strokes that make up the letters. The use of serifs dates back to ancient Rome, where they were used to make inscriptions easier to read. Serif fonts are often used in printed materials, such as books and newspapers, because they are easy to read in long passages of text.

Examples of serif fonts suitable for resumes include:

• Times New Roman
• Georgia
• Garamond
• Cambria
• Baskerville

The use of serif fonts in resumes has both pros and cons. Some of the advantages of using a serif font in your resume include:

Traditional and professional

Serif fonts are often seen as more traditional and professional, making them a good choice for industries such as law, finance, or academia.

Easy to read

The small lines or flourishes at the ends of the strokes can guide the eye from one letter to the next, making the text easier to read and follow.

Familiarity

Many people are used to reading serif fonts, as they are commonly used in printed materials.

However, there are also some drawbacks to using serif fonts in your resume, including:

Limited design options

Because serif fonts are often seen as traditional, they may not provide as much design flexibility as other font categories.

Not ideal for digital screens

Serif fonts can be harder to read on digital screens, such as those found on computers or mobile devices, as the small details may become blurred or distorted.

Overused

Serif fonts, particularly Times New Roman, are often overused in resumes and may not stand out as much as other font choices.

Overall, serif fonts can be a good choice for resumes, particularly for those in more traditional industries. However, it’s important to consider the specific job and company you are applying to, as well as the overall design of your resume, when choosing the best font for you.

Sans-Serif Fonts

Sans-serif fonts are a modern and clean font style that do not have the small lines or flourishes at the ends of the strokes. They are often seen as more informal and are commonly used in digital media such as websites and apps. Sans-serif fonts are also popular in the creative industries, such as graphic design, advertising, or tech.

Examples of sans-serif fonts suitable for resumes include:

• Arial
• Helvetica
• Calibri
• Verdana
• Futura

Using a sans-serif font in your resume has both pros and cons. Some of the advantages of using a sans-serif font include:

Modern and clean

Sans-serif fonts are often seen as more modern and clean, making them a good choice for industries such as technology, marketing, or design.

Easy to read

Sans-serif fonts are often easier to read on digital screens, such as those found on computers or mobile devices, as they are not as affected by pixelation.

Stand out

Because sans-serif fonts are less commonly used in resumes, they can help your resume stand out and make an impression.

However, there are also some drawbacks to using sans-serif fonts in your resume, including:

Informal

Sans-serif fonts may be perceived as more informal or casual, which may not be suitable for all industries or job types.

Less traditional

For industries that value tradition or history, such as law or finance, a sans-serif font may not be the best choice.

Limited design options

Similar to serif fonts, sans-serif fonts may not provide as much design flexibility as other font categories.

Overall, sans-serif fonts can be a good choice for resumes, particularly for those in creative or digital industries. However, it’s important to consider the specific job and company you are applying to, as well as the overall design of your resume, when choosing the best font for you.

Combination Fonts

Combination fonts, also known as hybrid fonts, are a mix of both serif and sans-serif fonts. They can provide the best of both worlds, offering the traditional, formal feel of serif fonts and the modern, clean look of sans-serif fonts. Combination fonts can be a great option for resumes because they provide visual interest while maintaining readability.

Examples of combination fonts suitable for resumes include:

• Book Antiqua
• Lucida Grande
• Palatino
• Merriweather
• PT Serif Caption

Using a combination font in your resume has both pros and cons. Some of the advantages of using a combination font include:

Best of both worlds

Combination fonts offer the traditional feel of serif fonts and the modern look of sans-serif fonts.

Unique

Combination fonts can help your resume stand out and show off your individuality.

Good for readability

Combination fonts are often designed with readability in mind, making them easy to read even in longer passages of text.

However, there are also some drawbacks to using combination fonts in your resume, including:

May be less familiar

Because combination fonts are not as commonly used as serif or sans-serif fonts, they may be less familiar to some readers.

Limited options

There are not as many combination fonts available compared to serif or sans-serif fonts, which may limit your design options.

Overall, combination fonts can be a great option for resumes, particularly for those who want to balance traditional and modern styles. However, as with all font choices, it’s important to consider the specific job and company you are applying to, as well as the overall design of your resume, when choosing the best font for you.

Font Size and Spacing

Choosing the right font size and spacing is essential for making your resume readable and visually appealing. Using a font that is too small or a spacing that is too tight can make your resume difficult to read, while using a font that is too large or a spacing that is too loose can make your resume appear unprofessional.

To ensure that your resume is both readable and visually appealing, consider the following recommended font sizes and spacing for different sections of your resume:

Heading: Your name and contact information should be at the top of your resume and should be the largest text on the page. A font size between 22 and 28 points is recommended, depending on the font style.

Section Headings: Each section of your resume, such as Education, Experience, or Skills, should have its own heading. These headings should be bold and slightly larger than the body text, with a font size between 14 and 16 points.

Body Text: The body of your resume should be written in a font size between 10 and 12 points, depending on the font style. It’s important to use a font size that is easy to read, but not so large that it takes up too much space.

Spacing: Use a consistent spacing throughout your resume. A line spacing of 1.15 or 1.5 is recommended, as this provides enough space between lines to make the text easy to read without taking up too much space.

In addition to font size and spacing, it’s also important to ensure that your resume is well-organized and easy to navigate. Use bullet points, clear headings, and a consistent format to make your resume easy to scan and understand.

Conclusion

When choosing the best font for your resume, it’s important to consider the company and job you are applying to, as well as the overall design of your resume. You want to choose a font that is professional, easy to read, and reflects your personal style. It’s also important to avoid using too many different fonts or font sizes in your resume, as this can make it appear cluttered and difficult to read.

In summary, choosing the right font for your resume is an important aspect of creating a professional and visually appealing document. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this guide, you can select a font that will make your resume stand out and help you land your dream job.