For many jobseekers, resume fonts are nothing more than an afterthought. If you haven't spent any time considering fonts, however, it may be time to think again. The right font pairings can lend your resume a professional, balanced feeling that will help it stand out from the competition.
When it comes to resume fonts, it's important to understand which options to avoid. Some fonts, such as Papyrus and Comic Sans MS, have been overused to the point that they can cause an immediate negative reaction. Other fonts, like Curlz MT and Bradley Hand ITC, are too whimsical for a professional document. According to Business 2 Community, this type of "fancy" font can come off as juvenile.
The best font pairings include one serif font and one sans serif font to create a balanced look. On a resume, you should use one font for your name and the section headings and the other font for the body text.
If you want to create a resume that looks beautiful without detracting from the information, Georgia and Verdana make an excellent combination of resume fonts. Georgia is a simple serif font that uses small serifs; as a result, it is easy to read. Its letters have significant weight, which means that it will be readable even when your resume is printed, copied, and copied again. Verdana is a sans serif font that uses balanced letter sizes for a clean, professional look. It creates a gentle contrast with Georgia, creating a look that is visually pleasing but not distracting.
For experienced professionals, it can be difficult to fit an entire work history on a single page. In that case, Myriad Pro and Minion (bold) are appropriate choices for resume fonts. Myriad Pro makes an efficient use of space without sacrificing readability, so it is an ideal option for the body of your professional resume. With its strong lines and eye-catching glyphs, Minion (bold) provides a strong contrast to the delicate Myriad Pro. Together, the two fonts make an attractive combination that is appropriate for all industries.
If you want to create a resume that looks more contemporary, consider using a sans serif font for the headings and a serif font for the body text. Helvetica (bold) and Garamond make a beautiful, simple pairing of resume fonts. Helvetica (bold) is clean, dark, and dramatic, so it draws the eye immediately. Light, elegant Garamond creates a stark contrast to Helvetica (bold), so your resume will automatically stand out. As an added benefit, both fonts are readily available in the libraries of most major design and word processing programs, so you won't need to worry about downloading and installing them.
When you take the time to choose beautiful, well-balanced resume fonts, it shows employers that you have a strong eye for design and a working knowledge of the latest trends. By using a professional combination, you can help your resume stand out from the crowd.
(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
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