Recommended Resume Font

Here’s a question I get all the time: Does the font I use on my resume actually matter? Short answer? Yes, it does. Maybe it’s not the biggest factor in whether you get the job or not, but it’s like dressing appropriately for an interview. It’s the little things that show you’re paying attention and that you care.

The right font helps your resume look polished and easy to read. The wrong font? Well, it can make you look outdated or unprofessional. And those are not the vibes you want to send.

First off, stick with something simple and clean. You’re not designing a wedding invitation; you’re presenting your qualifications in the clearest way possible. Fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, and Garamond are all safe bets. They’ve been around forever, and there’s a reason for that. They work. They’re legible on a screen and on paper, and they don’t distract from the content of your resume.

I know, Times New Roman sounds kind of boring. But boring isn’t always bad. It’s dependable, and honestly, most recruiters won’t think twice about it. That’s a good thing. If you’re looking for something a tad more modern, Calibri is a great choice. It’s clean without feeling too stiff. Garamond gives a touch of elegance without going overboard. And Arial, while super basic, is basically the equivalent of a plain white shirt, it never looks out of place.

Now, what about those slick, trendy fonts? The ones with a bit of flair? Look, I get it. You want to stand out. But here’s the problem: fancy or overly decorative fonts can come across as unprofessional. They can also be harder to read, especially on smaller screens. And most recruiters are scanning resumes on their computers or phones these days. So unless you’re in a very creative field and feel confident that your audience will appreciate the whimsy, don’t go there.

Size is another thing people mess up. A font that’s too small makes your resume look cramped, and no one wants to squint to read your experience. A font that’s too big makes it seem like you’re stretching to fill the page. Stick to 10 to 12 points for the body text. If you’re using a font like Times New Roman, which runs a little smaller, you might bump it to 12. For Calibri or Arial, 11 often works perfectly. Save anything larger than that for your name and maybe the section headings.

One more tip: consistency. Don’t mix and match fonts all over the place. Pick one and stick with it throughout your entire resume. It makes a world of difference. And don’t, I repeat, don’t use Comic Sans. I shouldn’t even have to say that, but every now and then, someone tries to make a case for it. Just don’t.

If you’re not sure about your font choice, print out your resume and hand it to a friend. Ask them to give it a quick scan and tell you what they think. Are things easy to read? Does the overall look feel professional? Getting another set of eyes on it can save you from making a mistake that might seem small but could have a big impact.

So yeah, go with a classic. Keep it simple. Focus on making your resume easy to read. It’s not about wowing them with your font choice. It’s about making it as easy as possible for them to see why you’re the right person for the job.