Best (and Worst) Fonts for Your Resume

Attention, job seekers! If you’re in the midst of searching for that job and want your resume to stand out from all the others in that huge slush pile, consider something as simple as your font of choice.

True, it may sound a bit meticulous and maybe even a no-brainer; after all, it’s been drilled into my head since high school that Times New Roman, size 12, is the standard that should be followed at all times.

But! Nowadays, industry insiders are showing some other fonts the love with their new recommendations. Bloomberg spoke with three typography experts to get the inside scoop on putting your best resume forward. Some of my favorite highlights…

THE GOOD…


*Helvetica: “Helvetica is so no-fuss, it doesn’t really lean in one direction or another. It feels professional, lighthearted, honest,” says Brian Hoff, creative director of Brian Hoff Design. “Helvetica is safe. Maybe that’s why it’s more business-y.”

*Garamond (perfect for those with lots of experience and have to fit said experience on a single page): “Garamond is legible and easy for the eye to follow,” says Matt Luckhurst, the creative director at Collins, a brand consultancy in San Francisco. “Garamond has all these quirks in it, so what that does is allow the eye to see where it should go.”

THE BAD…

*Times New Roman: “It has been a system font for a long time. It’s been used and misused a lot,” says Martina Flor, a letterer and designer in Berlin, Germany. Adds Hoff, “It’s telegraphing that you didn’t put any thought into the typeface that you selected. It’s like putting on sweatpants.” OUCH!!

*Zapfino: “It’s just really swoosh-y. If it’s your wedding invite and that typeface is for you, go for it,” says Luckhurst.


Good to know, don’t you think, friends? Do you agree with the experts? What font do you use for your resume? Are you job searching right now? I’d love to hear your stories! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go and update my resume a bit… xoxo


P.S. iPhone business cards, 5 tips for starting a new job and a peek inside my business cards! 🙂