The font that you use on your resume is probably not something that you have given much thought to, unless you have an eye for design.
It is safe to assume that the recruiters are looking at the experience you list rather than the font it appears in. Certainly not in every case.
When it comes to getting a job, how you present yourself is one of the most important factors. It has come to our attention that the font you are using on your resume might be giving potential employers an inaccurate impression of you. In an article for Bloomberg, Natalie Kitroeff interviewed three professionals in the field of typography to determine which fonts are the most effective for resumes and which are the least effective.
Fonts that should be incorporated into your resume
These fonts were suggested by the panel as excellent options for use on your resume:
Helvetica: “It feels professional, lighthearted, honest,” says Brian Hoff, creative director of Brian Hoff Design. “Helvetica is safe.” This font was the clear winner, according to the article.
Garamond: We all know resumes are only supposed to be one page, so try this font if you’re having trouble fitting everything in. “Garamond is legible and easy for the eye to follow,” says Matt Luckhurst, the creative director at Collins, a brand consultancy.
Didot: Applying for a job and want to look fancy-? Give this font a shot; Luckhurst says it’s the equivalent of wearing a tuxedo to your job interview.
Stay away from these fonts, at the very least on your resume
And now, the types of typefaces you should steer clear of:
Italicized Times New Roman: Although there are some designers who do not take a strong stance against this stalwart, Hoff is not one of them. "It's like you didn't put any thought into the typeface that you selected," he says. "It's telegraphing that you didn't put any thought into the typeface that you selected." It's the same as putting on a pair of sweatpants.
Courier: Although throwback styles are currently all the rage, you should probably steer clear of using them on your resume. Luckhurst cautions, "You don't have a typewriter, so don't try to pretend that you do," referring to the fact that the individual in question does not own a typewriter.
Comic Sans: We do not believe that using this cheesy font in any capacity is ever a good idea. And Hoff is in agreement, advising that you steer clear of it at all costs, unless, as he puts it, "you're applying to clown college."
Even though there may be other aspects of perfecting your resume that are more important, such as making it appealing to recruiters and ensuring that your spelling is correct, it may be time to consider your font as well. When you are submitting an application for a job, we consider anything that can give you an advantage over the other candidates - even if it’s just by a T - is worthwhile in our books.