Best Fonts for a Resume

Applying for a new job can leave you with a number of questions. From best resume format to what to include, you may be left scratching your head about what to put on the paper. With all of these choices to make, it can be easy to forget about the little details. There is one little thing that could make or break your resume, and that is the font to use for resume.

So what is the best font for a resume? Using not acceptable resume fonts can do more damage than you realize. Not only do some fonts make your resume more difficult to read, but they may also appear unprofessional. The way you present your resume is just as important as its content. People don’t want to look at ugly things for very long. To prevent your resume from looking like an eyesore to hiring managers, be sure to create it in style by using one of these professional fonts for resume. Remember, your resume’s appearance will speak before its words. You only have a few seconds to make a good impression before being pushed to the bottom of the pile. So let’s immerse deeply in the world of good resume fonts.

TIP: Please, note that what we call fonts are not fonts. They are typefaces. For instance, Calibri is not a font. It’s a typeface and when we define the size and weight (bold, italic, etc.) it becomes font.

What is a Serif Font?

A Serif Font is is a category of typefaces that USE serifs or small lines at the ends of characters. 

What is a San Serif Font?

A San Serif Font is a category of typefaces that DO NOT USE serifs or small lines at the ends of characters. 

Here you can see an example of common resume fonts:

Recommended Fonts for Resume

1. Calibri

Dutch designer Lucas de Groot made this sans-serif font in 2002. While Times New Roman used to be the default font in Microsoft Word, it has now been replaced with this simple, modern font. Like Times New Roman, Calibri is considered to be acceptable across the board. It reads easily on screen or on paper and gives your resume a clean look. Using a familiar font ensures that hiring managers will be able to skim your resume for highlights efficiently. 

2. Cambria

Cambria is the serif cousin to Calibri. This font was developed in 2004 by Jelle Bosma, another Dutchman hired by Microsoft. Cambria was made for computer screens. It was also designed to be readable when printed, even if it was printed on a small scale. This sleek font has a flare and is known as one of Microsoft’s original fonts. Though it may be traditional, Cambria is considered to be one of the best font choices for resumes. 

3. Georgia

If you are a Times New Roman fan who wants to switch things up, Georgia is a traditional font with a twist. Created in 1993 by Matthew Carter, Georgia is one of the most widely used fonts. Big corporations like Twitter and Amazon have made it their font of choice for years. It’s a serif font that is easy to read in a PDF. Georgia was updated in 2013 to give it a modern look. It will not garner any strange looks from hiring managers when they come across your resume. 

4. Helvetica

Typographers can’t get enough of this sans-serif font that was created in 1957 by Max Miedinger, a Swiss designer. The font was originally named “Neue Haas Grotesk.” After Linotype acquired it, they chose to name it in honor of Switzerland by giving it the Latin name for the country, “Helvetia.” Both BMW and the NYC Subway System love this font and its timeless beauty. Helvetica combines visual pleasure and business into one universally-loved font.

5. Verdana

Also created by Matthew Carter, Verdana was made as a sans-serif compliment to Georgia. If you have a lot of accomplishments that you would like to put on your resume, Verdana allows you to cram more in without compromising readability. In 2010, Ikea made the switch to Verdana as their official font. Verdana is clean and professional, making it a fine choice for your resume and cover letter.

6. Trebuchet MS

Vincent Connare wanted to create a font that would “launch words across the Internet.” Named after the medieval projectile launcher, Trebuchet brings a little bit of flare while still keeping things professional. Ironically, Connare is also the mastermind behind Comic Sans, a fun font that is commonly seen in elementary classroom materials. Trebuchet is one of Microsoft’s original fonts that has some texture. It isn’t as boring as Times New Roman and it looks great on a resume.

7. Book Antiqua

This serif font was designed by Hermann Zapf is 1954. It is the twin of the all-time favorite Palatino font. Book Antiqua is unique and soft. It is renowned for being easy to read, making it one of the top choices of modern resume fonts. It has an Italian Renaissance feel, giving your resume a sophisticated look. It is a superb alternative to the overused Times New Roman. Apple has a similar font known as “Iowan Old Style” as a default for Macs.

8. Didot

Didot is an elegant, serif font that was created by Firmin Didot before the French Revolution. Marked by the rule of Marie Antoinette and the Enlightenment period, Didot adds a fancy touch to your resume. This font is very appropriate if you are applying to a company that produces luxury goods. It is the choice font of the Ralph Lauren website. Didot works best as a dressing for your resume. Use it for the headings, but don’t type your entire resume in Didot.

Conclusion

Your font choice can make or break your resume. If you decided to write a resume by yourself, you have to know what is a good font for a resume. You have to choose the best resume font type. Employers want to look at resumes that are easy to skim and tastefully presented. Choosing a proper font can increase the time the hiring manager spends on your document and help your chance of getting considered for the job.