{"id":825,"date":"2022-07-15T16:46:43","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T16:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=825"},"modified":"2024-03-26T10:00:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T14:00:39","slug":"best-resume-fonts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/basics\/best-resume-fonts","title":{"rendered":"12 Best Fonts for Your Resume (and 8 You Should Never Use)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

First impressions matter, especially in the job search. Everything on your resume<\/a> \u2014 including your font \u2014 plays an essential role in what kind of impression you make on the hiring manager. Unsure what the best font for your resume is? Here’s what you need to know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Makes a Font a ‘Best Font for a Resume?’<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best font for a resume is one that is professional, readable, clear, and representative of your personal brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want the hiring manager<\/a> to read your achievements, experience, and contact information without squinting or guessing what words are on the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also want your font to represent your brand. For example, people looking for a creative career<\/a> might use fonts that are slightly more decorative, while someone applying for analytical jobs<\/a> might use a more straightforward font. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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Building Your Personal Brand<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Learn why your personal brand matters in the job search, assess your current brand, then learn how to use social media to promote it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPersonal brand, image, online presence management, self-assessment, brand management, LinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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12 Best Fonts for a Resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know what makes a good resume font, which one should you use? There are typically two types of fonts you can use on a resume: serif fonts and sans serif fonts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Serif Fonts for a Resume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A serif is often called the \u201cfeet\u201d of a font. It\u2019s a small feature at the end of letters that makes them appear more decorative and ornamental. Major brands like The New York Times, JPMorgan<\/a>, and McKinsey & Company use serif fonts for their logos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serif fonts are often considered more stylized and elegant. These are particularly effective if you\u2019re applying for more of a creative role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many serif fonts are readable on computers, experts recommended using these fonts if you\u2019re printing application materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTheir tiny details on the letters make it easier for the eye to recognize quickly on paper,\u201d Chris Lewandowski, recruiter and president of Princess Dental Staffing, says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times New Roman<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Times New Roman is a traditional font that you might see as a default for various computer programs. This is a font you’ve likely encountered while in school \u2014 some teachers might even prefer it when you’re submitting essays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because this font is so commonplace and traditional, it’s good for applying to jobs in more traditional fields like law, finance, and academia. In creative or tech fields, some might consider Times New Roman a bit outdated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Georgia<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for something a little more original compared to Times New Roman, Georgia is a great serif font to use. It offers a similar level of professionalism while offering a modern look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia was designed specifically for readability on low-resolution computer screens, which makes it a good choice when submitting a resume digitally. The bold version of Georgia is particularly bold, which is also helpful when trying to emphasize specific parts of your resume and make information stand out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Garamond<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Like Times New Roman, Garamond is a timeless serif font, one that follows the model for a typeface cut leading back to the late 1400s. This font is traditional and sophisticated, making it a good choice for conservative fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This font tends to be smaller than its other serif counterparts. This means you’ll be able to fit more information onto the page at the same font size; however, be sure the information is easily readable without any eye strain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cambria<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cambria is a modern font designed to be readable on both computers and in print. The even spacing and proportions make it a clear, straightforward font that’s a versatile option for a variety of fields. This font offers a good balance between a classic serif style (like Times New Roman) and a more modern feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that Cambria is a very neutral font and its bold version is not as visually distinct as other fonts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Palatino<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Palatino offers a professional and elegant look that’s slightly more decorative than Times New Roman. It’s a great choice for resumes in creative fields like design, marketing, or media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This font is less common than the other best serif resume fonts, so it might not be available on all computer systems \u2014 I had to click “add more fonts” to Google docs in order to use it, but it was still available for free. It’s also a bigger font; for example, a size 11 Palatino fits less information on the page than size 11 Times New Roman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Sans Serif Fonts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sans serif fonts are considered clean, modern, and simple. They don\u2019t have any \u201cfeet\u201d or decorative elements to them. Brands like Bank of America<\/a>, Chipotle, and Meta use serif fonts for their logos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sans serif fonts are the best if you\u2019re submitting a resume digitally, whether via email or directly to a company\u2019s application site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince most people are job hunting and processing their applications online, I highly suggest using sans-serif on digital resumes,\u201d Lewandowski says. \u201cThis is because fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, and Verdana, or those that don\u2019t have intricate details on the letters, are much easier to read on computer screens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arial<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Arial is probably the Times New Roman equivalent of sans serif fonts. It’s one of the most popular sans serif fonts and comes pre-installed on most operating systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arial is clean, simple, and easy to read at a variety of sizes \u2014 especially on different computer screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Calibri<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Calibri is a second generation font celebrity; it replaced Times New Roman in Word in the late 2000s and replaced Arial in PowerPoint, Excel<\/a>, Outlook, and Wordpad. This sleek font with subtly rounded edges remains clear at smaller font sizes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like Arial, it’s a neutral font without much character, which works well for more traditional fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Open Sans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You might recognize Open Sans from some of Google’s web pages. It’s a neutral and open-source font, meaning it’s free commercially. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open Sans has a wide variety of weights, meaning it’s a good choice if you’re looking to vary emphasis on your resume while maintaining font consistency. Keep in mind that this is a larger font that takes up more space in smaller sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Verdana<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Verdana is a simple, clean font that’s particularly readable at small sizes and on low-resolution computer screens. It has tall lowercase characters and wider proportions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verdana is a safe font choice for both printed and digital resumes and a good font choice for traditional fields. Its straightforward design can lack personality, but it offers a professional aesthetic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tahoma<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Verdana, Tahoma offers slightly narrower characters and tighter letter spacing. Its bold version stands out significantly because it’s closer to double the pixel width of the non-bold option. Tahoma is a good option if you’re trying to emphasize specific elements of your resume. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Helvetica<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Helvetica is a widely popular sans serif font. Originally developed in 1957, the font now has a wide range of variants in its font family \u2014 this gives you more flexibility if you’d like to use a combination of variations on your resume. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helvetica is known for its high character heights and small space in between letters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Roboto<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Roboto is an open-source font that offers both a professional and contemporary aesthetic. It features some curves that make it more distinct from other serif fonts; it also spaces letters based on their natural sizing, which makes it a bit more natural to read. This is a great font choice for resumes in technology<\/a> or design fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Will an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Rule Out my Resume Based on Font? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An applicant tracking system, often referred to as an ATS, is a way for recruiters to track and easily parse resumes. There are a lot of myths about what an ATS can and can’t do, including that they can rule out resumes if they’re not formatted correctly. Does this apply to fonts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>MORE: <\/strong>What Is an Applicant Tracking System? Your Questions Answered by the People Who Use Them!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes and no. An ATS will not rule out your resume if it doesn’t have a specific font, and these systems can actually read most fonts. However, there’s always a chance that a certain company’s ATS can’t read a particularly “fancy” or stylized font.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So while there’s a good chance an ATS can read any font, it’s better to stick with a more simple font \u2014 a serif or sans serif font \u2014 that’s easily readable and clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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Resume Writing Masterclass<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Ready to start building your resume? Learn how to craft a resume hiring managers want to see, from your professional summary to experience descriptions.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet started\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tResume writing, professional brand, professional summary, narrative, transferable skills, industry keywords, showcasing your impact, standing out\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What Is the Best Font Size for a Resume?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best font size is readable and allows you to fit all of your resume information efficiently. A resume generally shouldn\u2019t be longer than two pages<\/a>; ideally, it should be one page if you don\u2019t have many years of career experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Size for Resume Job Descriptions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Generally, 12pt is the best size for descriptions, with no item on your resume less than 10pt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKeep in mind that some fonts are wider or taller than others, so it may be advisable to stick to larger than 10pt or smaller than 12pt, depending on which font you use,\u201d Daniel Lorenzo, marketing director of resume writing service Let\u2019s Eat, Grandma, says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Size for Resume Headings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Headings can be in a larger font than your experience sections; however, they shouldn\u2019t take up much more space on the page. The best size for section headings is 14-16pt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Size for Your Name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arguably, your name is one of the essential identifiers on your resume \u2014 which means it should visually stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour name should be the largest text on the resume,\u201d Lorenzo advises. \u201cIt can be 20pt or even a little higher (within reason, though \u2014 don\u2019t waste space with a huge name).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same rules apply to font size as font choice: readability matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the font size, you should always aim for an option that makes the content readable, no matter on which device the resume is read,\u201d Felix T. Web, CEO and founder of Resume OK, says. \u201cMost recruiters will use their work laptop to review resumes, but in rare cases some are checking applications from tablets or even mobile phones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Worst Resume Fonts?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the best way to show your personality in a job application isn\u2019t on your resume with fancy or creative fonts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAny unconventional or fancy font that you don\u2019t typically see on documents is a bad idea, especially if it\u2019s cursive or highly decorative like Lobster, Papyrus, or Impact,\u201d Lorzeno explains. \u201cYou are not going to score any bonus points with your recruiter if your font is fun or fancy, and you will in fact lose their attention if it\u2019s hard to read.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should try to stay away from using fonts with cursive, extra space between letters, or ones that look like handwriting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other fonts you can consider avoiding on your resume include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n