Your resume is the first impression recruiters have of you. It is your chance to showcase your experience, qualifications, and personal brand. However, did you know that the font you choose can affect the readability and overall impression of the document?
Choosing the right font for your resume is essential. It can mean the difference between your application being noticed, or overlooked. Different fonts can affect the readability of your resume and may impact your chances of securing that dream job.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the importance of selecting the right font for your resume. We’ll explore how different fonts can affect readability and provide key considerations to help you choose the best font for your resume.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a good understanding of why font selection is critical and how to choose the right font for your resume to make it stand out from the crowd. So, let’s get started!
Serif Fonts
When it comes to creating a compelling and professional-looking resume, the choice of font can make or break your chances of getting noticed. Serif fonts, characterized by small lines or flourishes at the ends of their strokes, are often regarded as a classic and traditional choice for resumes.
Definition of Serif Fonts
A serif font is a typeface that features small lines, stems, or projections at the ends of characters. These lines are usually at a 90-degree angle to the main vertical or horizontal stroke of the letterform. Serif fonts are often used in printed materials, such as books, newspapers, and magazines because they tend to be more legible at smaller sizes than sans-serif fonts.


Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Serif Fonts in Your Resume
One of the advantages of using a serif font is that it can give your resume a classic and professional-looking appeal. It also has better readability and is great at guiding the reader’s eye through the text on a page.
On the other hand, a disadvantage of using serif fonts is that they’re often seen as outdated and boring. They also tend to be less readable when used at smaller font sizes, and can take up more space on a page than a sans-serif font.
Top 3 recommended Serif Fonts for Your Resume
Times New Roman: A classic serif font that has been a standard in the industry for decades. It’s a great choice for conservative or traditional industries such as law or finance.
Georgia: A modern take on a classic serif font that’s a great choice for creative industries such as design or advertising.
Cambria: A versatile serif font that can be used for a wide range of industries and professions. It’s a great choice if you want to give your resume a modern touch.
Sans Serif Fonts
Definition of Sans Serif Fonts
Sans Serif Fonts are a type of font style that do not have the small lines or strokes at the end of each letter, unlike their Serif counterparts. They often have a cleaner and more modern aesthetic and are generally easier to read on screens.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Sans Serif Fonts in Your Resume
One of the biggest advantages of using Sans Serif Fonts in a resume is that they can make the document look more modern and professional. They are often easier to read, particularly on digital devices, and can help make your resume stand out from the crowd.
However, there are also some potential disadvantages to using Sans Serif Fonts in a resume. First, they can sometimes come across as cold or impersonal, particularly if the rest of your resume style is more traditional. Additionally, some hiring managers may still prefer a more traditional Serif font style.
Top 3 Recommended Sans Serif Fonts for Your Resume
Calibri – This is a classic Sans Serif font that has been a popular choice for resumes for many years. It is clean, modern, and easy to read, which makes it a great choice for any resume.
Helvetica – This is another classic font that has been used in a wide range of contexts, from print advertising to branding. It has a clean and modern feel that makes it a great choice for a resume.
Open Sans – This is a newer font that has gained popularity in recent years due to its clean and modern aesthetic. It is available in different weights, which makes it a versatile choice for a resume.
Example of Sans Serif Fonts in Action
Using Sans Serif Fonts in a resume can help make the document look more modern and professional. For example, you could use Calibri for your resume heading and section headers, and then use Helvetica or Open Sans for the body text. This would create a clean and modern look that would be easily readable on screens or in print.


Sans Serif Fonts can be a great choice for a resume, particularly if you want to create a clean and modern aesthetic. Just be sure to balance this style choice with the rest of your resume design and be aware of potential personal preferences from hiring managers.
Script Fonts
Script fonts are a type of font that imitates handwriting. They are characterized by their flowing and curved lines that vary in thickness. They are elegant, stylish, and often used in invitations, greeting cards, or logos. Script fonts come in various styles, from classic to modern, and are a popular choice for adding a personalized touch to your documents.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Script Fonts in your Resume
Using a script font in your resume can be beneficial in certain situations but also has some drawbacks. The main advantage is that they can make your resume look more creative and sophisticated. They can showcase your personality and creativity while highlighting your professionalism. However, using a script font in your resume can be risky, as it may not be easy to read or scan by resume screening systems. Moreover, some employers may not appreciate the use of a script font in a professional document, depending on their industry or job requirements.
Top 3 Recommended Script Fonts for your Resume
When choosing a script font for your resume, it’s essential to consider legibility, readability, and compatibility with the rest of your resume design. Here are the top three recommended script fonts for your resume:
Lobster – a popular script font that’s modern, elegant, and easy to read. It’s perfect for headings or titles in your resume.
Alex Brush – a beautiful, handwritten script font that’s perfect for conveying a personal touch. It’s ideal for highlighting your name or contact information.
Allura – a sophisticated script font that’s easy to read and gives a modern touch to your resume. It’s versatile and can be used for both headings and body text.
Example of Script Fonts in Action
Imagine you’re applying for a job in a creative industry that values design and originality. You want your resume to stand out and showcase your skills and personality. You decide to use a script font for your heading and name, paired with a clean and modern sans-serif font for the rest of the text.
Using a script font for your name creates a unique and elegant look, while the clean sans-serif font for the rest of the text ensures readability and legibility. By combining these two fonts, you create a balance between creativity and professionalism, making your resume stand out among others.
Using script fonts in your resume can be a great way to showcase your creativity and add a personal touch to your application. However, it’s crucial to choose the right font that balances legibility and originality and complements the rest of your resume design. Following these tips and recommendations can help you create a standout resume that impresses employers and lands you the job you want.
Display Fonts
Definition of Display Fonts
Display fonts are fonts that are meant to be used in large sizes, such as headlines and titles. They are decorative in nature, making them ideal for catching the eye and drawing attention to specific elements of a design or document.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Display Fonts in Your Resume
Using display fonts in your resume can help make it stand out and create a sense of personality and style. However, it is important to balance the use of display fonts with legibility and readability. Overusing them can make your resume difficult to read and distract from the content.
Top 3 Recommended Display Fonts for Your Resume
Roboto Slab: A modern, stylish font that balances legibility with personality. It is a popular choice for headings and titles.
Bebas Neue: A bold, sans-serif font that is perfect for making a statement. It is ideal for headlines and titles.
Abril Fatface: A decorative, serif font that is elegant and unique. It is a great choice for creating a sense of style and personality in your resume.
Example of Display Fonts in Action
When using display fonts in your resume, it is important to use them selectively and sparingly. For example, you could use Bebas Neue for your name and section headings, while using Roboto Slab for the body text. This will help create a sense of hierarchy and organization, while still maintaining a professional and legible appearance.
When using display fonts in your resume, it is important to consider the purpose and audience of your document. Use them strategically to add personality and style, while still maintaining readability and clarity.
Combination Fonts
Combination Fonts are a mixture of two or more different font types. This technique of mixing and matching fonts helps to create a professional and visually appealing resume. The combination can be of serif and sans-serif or cursive and bold fonts.
Using Combination Fonts in your resume has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- They stand out in comparison to the typical Times New Roman or Arial fonts.
- They can be used to highlight important information such as headers, skills, or job titles.
- Combination Fonts can help to create visual hierarchy and provide a clear flow of information.
Disadvantages:
- Overuse or misuse of this technique may lead to a cluttered and incoherent resume.
- Too many fonts may cause visual discomfort, thus making it difficult to read the resume.
Here are the top three recommended Combination Fonts for your resume:
Garamond and Helvetica: This is a perfect combination of a traditional serif with a sans-serif font. Helvetica’s clean and modern feature complements Garamond’s elegant and classic style.
Roboto and Lato: Roboto is often used in technology and modern-day design, while Lato is a sans-serif font that has been tailored for the web. This pairing provides a professional, readable, and modern feel.
Baskerville and Franklin Gothic: This combo lies somewhere between traditional and contemporary. The pairing of Baskerville’s timeless serifs with Franklin Gothic’s bolder sans-serif creates a resume that looks elegant, modern, and professional.
Now let’s look at an example of Combination Fonts in action. Our candidate, John, decided to use Garamond and Helvetica throughout his resume. He uses Garamond only for the headings, while Helvetica is used for the body text.
In the header, John used a 16pt Garamond font for his name, followed by a 12pt Helvetica font in bold for his job title. For the body paragraphs, John used an 11pt Helvetica font. In addition, he used Garamond in bold for his section headings.
John’s resume stands out because of his use of Combination Fonts. The combination of the two fonts helps to create a professional and visually appealing resume, which is easy to read and navigate.
Therefore, Combination Fonts can be an excellent way to differentiate your resume from others, but always ensure that you use the right mix of fonts and pay utmost attention to readability.
Font sizes and spacing
When it comes to creating a resume, it’s important to pay attention to font sizes and spacing. These elements can greatly impact the overall look and readability of your document. Here are some tips on how to determine the appropriate font size and spacing for your resume, as well as recommended measurements for various sections.
How to Determine Font Size and Spacing
The font size you choose will depend on the font you select and the amount of space you have available. In general, use a font size between 10-12 points, with a slightly larger font for section headings. Additionally, consider setting your resume margins to approximately 1 inch on all sides to create a clean, professional look.
Spacing is also important. You want to make sure there is enough white space between lines to make your resume easy to read, but not so much that it looks sparse. A good rule of thumb is to use 1.15 or 1.5 line spacing to ensure readability.
Ideal Spacing for Various Sections
Different sections of your resume should have different levels of spacing to create visual hierarchy and make it easy for employers to find the information they need. For example, you may want to use wider spacing in your contact information section to make it stand out, and narrower spacing in your experience section to make it more compact. Here are some ideal spacing recommendations for each section:
- Contact Information: Wider spacing between lines and margins to make it stand out
- Objective or Summary: Slightly wider spacing than body text, but not as much as contact information
- Education: Similar spacing as body text
- Experience: Slightly narrower spacing than body text, but not so narrow that it looks crowded
- Skills: Similar spacing as body text
Recommended Font Sizes for Different Sections
Just like spacing, font size can also be used to create visual hierarchy on your resume. Here are some recommended font sizes for different sections:
- Name and Headings: 14-16 points
- Objective or Summary: 12-14 points
- Body Text: 10-12 points
- Section Headings: 11-12 points
By following these guidelines for font size and spacing, you can create a clean and professional resume that’s easy to read and visually appealing. Remember, your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers, so it’s important to make it count!
Font Pairing
Font pairing refers to the practice of using two or more fonts in a design to create a harmonious and visually appealing composition. It involves selecting fonts that complement each other in terms of style, weight, and legibility while also conveying the desired tone and message.
In your resume, font pairing plays a crucial role in setting the right tone and highlighting your skills and achievements effectively. The fonts you use can convey your personality, level of professionalism, and attention to detail. By choosing the right font combinations, you can make your resume stand out from the competition and leave a lasting impression on hiring managers.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when pairing fonts for your resume:
- Limit your fonts: Stick to using no more than two or three fonts in your resume, as too many fonts can create visual clutter and distract from the content.
- Choose contrasting fonts: Pair fonts that have contrasting styles or weights, such as a serif and a sans-serif, to create interest and hierarchy in your resume.
- Consider readability: Make sure the fonts you choose are easy to read and legible at various sizes, especially if your resume might be scanned by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Be consistent: Use the same fonts consistently throughout your resume to create a cohesive and polished look.
Some popular font pairings for resumes include:
- Roboto and Open Sans: Both sans-serif fonts, Roboto has a more futuristic feel, while Open Sans is more traditional. This pairing is a good choice for tech or design roles.
- Georgia and Helvetica: Pairing a serif and sans-serif font creates contrast and hierarchy. Georgia is a classic serif font, while Helvetica is a timeless sans-serif. This pairing is best suited for traditional or conservative industries.
- Lato and Merriweather: Lato is a clean and modern sans-serif font, while Merriweather is a warm and approachable serif font. This pairing works well for creative or customer-facing roles.
Ultimately, the fonts you choose will depend on your personal style, industry, and the message you want to convey. By following these tips and exploring different font pairings, you can craft a resume that stands out and leaves a positive impression on potential employers.
Font Color
When it comes to creating a standout resume, font choice and formatting aren’t the only factors to consider. Font color is also an important element that can help catch the eye of a potential employer and emphasize key information.
Importance of font color in your resume
Font color plays a crucial part in determining the overall look and feel of your resume. It can help create a hierarchy of information, highlight important sections, and make the document easier to read. Using color strategically can also help your resume stand out from the stack of black-and-white applications.
Best colors to use for your resume
The colors you choose for your resume should complement the overall design and branding of your application. In general, it’s best to stick to neutral colors like black, gray, and navy blue. These colors are professional, easy to read, and won’t distract from the content of your resume.
If you are applying for a creative role, you can consider using brighter, more vibrant colors like red, green or blue. However, be sure to use them sparingly and in a way that enhances the readability of your resume, rather than detracting from it.
How to use font color to highlight key information in your resume
When using font color in your resume, it’s important to do so strategically. Here are some tips to help you use color to your advantage:
- Use color sparingly: Stick to one or two colors at most, and use them to highlight key information rather than overwhelming the entire document.
- Create a hierarchy: Use color to create a visual hierarchy of information. For example, you could use a brighter color to draw attention to your name and contact information, and a darker color for the body text.
- Use color consistently: If you choose to use color in your resume, make sure you use it consistently throughout the document. This will help create a cohesive and professional look.
- Consider your audience: Keep in mind the company or industry you’re applying to when choosing font colors for your resume. Some industries may be more conservative, while others may appreciate more creative approaches.
While font choice is important, font color can also play a big part in creating a professional and eye-catching resume. By using color strategically and thoughtfully, you can highlight key information and make your application stand out from the crowd.
Font Accessibility
Font accessibility is an often overlooked but crucial aspect of resume design. While aesthetics should certainly be considered when selecting a font, it’s important to ensure that the font you choose is also accessible for all readers, including those with vision impairments.
Understanding the Importance of Font Accessibility
Individuals with visual impairments often use screen readers to read text on a page. However, certain fonts can be difficult for screen readers to recognize and parse properly. Fonts with particularly thin or intricate lettering may be particularly difficult to recognize, causing confusion or making it difficult to navigate through the information presented.
In addition to being practical, font accessibility is simply good design practice. Making your resume accessible to a wide range of readers ensures that your experience and qualifications are communicated as effectively as possible, increasing your chances of securing an interview.
Guide to Selecting Accessible Fonts for Your Resume
When selecting a font for your resume, it’s important to choose one that is both aesthetically pleasing and accessible. Here are a few tips:
Stick to common fonts: Common fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana are more likely to be recognized by screen readers, increasing the accessibility of your resume.
Avoid fonts with thin or ornate lettering: Fonts with thin or intricate lettering may look stunning to the eye but can be difficult for screen readers to decipher.
Consider font size and spacing: Ensure that your font size and spacing are appropriate for readers with visual impairments, as larger fonts and increased spacing can make text easier to read.
Use bold or italic formatting sparingly: While bold and italic formatting can be used to draw attention to important information, these styles can be difficult to recognize for screen readers. Use these formatting options sparingly and only for necessary information.
Recommended Accessible Fonts for Your Resume
Here are a few fonts that are both commonly used and easily recognized by screen readers:
- Arial
- Calibri
- Cambria
- Garamond
- Georgia
- Helvetica
- Times New Roman
- Verdana
By selecting one of these accessible fonts for your resume, you can ensure that your experience and qualifications are communicated as effectively as possible.
Best Practices for Using Fonts in Your Resume
General Guidelines for Using Fonts in Your Resume
When it comes to creating a visually appealing and professional resume, the font you choose can play a significant role. Here are some general guidelines to follow when using fonts in your resume:
- Stick to standard fonts: Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are safe bets.
- Use a font size of 10-12 points for the body text and 14-16 points for headings.
- Keep it simple: Avoid using too many different fonts, styles, or sizes.
- Make sure your font is legible and easy to read.
- Use bold or italicized text sparingly and uniformly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Fonts for Your Resume
While choosing the right font may seem like a small detail, it can make a significant impact on your resume’s overall impression. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when choosing fonts for your resume:
- Don’t use a font that is difficult to read or too ornamental.
- Avoid using too many fonts, styles, or sizes, as this can make your resume look cluttered and unprofessional.
- Don’t use fancy or cursive fonts for the body text, as this can make it difficult to read.
- Avoid using font sizes that are too small or too large, as this can make your resume look unprofessional.
Tips for Enhancing the Visual Appeal of Your Resume Using Fonts
In addition to following general guidelines and avoiding common mistakes when using fonts in your resume, here are some tips for enhancing its visual appeal:
- Use a bold or italicized font for headings and section titles to make them stand out.
- Experiment with font size and weight to create hierarchy and visual contrast within your resume.
- Use a sans-serif font for online resumes, as it is easier to read on screens.
- Use color sparingly and uniformly to add visual interest, but not too much that it becomes distracting.
By following these best practices, you can create a professional and visually appealing resume that is sure to catch the eye of potential employers.
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