Before you submit your resume to a prospective employer, check your font. If you’re using the ubiquitous Times New Roman, you may want to rethink your typeface selection.
Brian Hoff, creative director of Brian Hoff Design, told Bloomberg Business that Times New Roman might not be sending the right message to a future boss.
“It’s telegraphing that you didn’t put any thought into the typeface that you selected,” says Hoff. “It’s like putting on sweatpants.”
Many font fanatics and designers agree that if there were a resume typography war, one font would stand head and shoulders above the rest: Helvetica. Hoff said:
“Helvetica is so no-fuss, it doesn’t really lean in one direction or another. It feels professional, lighthearted, honest. Helvetica is safe. Maybe that’s why it’s more business-y.”
Designers also praised Garamond for its classic feel, and the attractive (though pricey) Proxima Nova.
Although Times New Roman may not be the best choice for a resume font, there are others that are much, much worse. For instance, the flowery Zapfino font, with its swooshes and connected script, is a bad choice.
Experts also recommend avoiding Courier, which looks like a typewriter font, and Comic Sans. Bloomberg said:
Do not even look at Comic Sans. It should not be on your résumé “unless you are applying to clown college,” says Hoff.
I couldn’t agree more. Comic Sans is one of my least favorite fonts. It looks like a little kid’s handwriting.
Regardless of which font you select, Business News Daily said to make sure it’s easy to read both in print and on a screen, regardless of the sizing or formatting.
“It’s also a good idea to choose a standard, universal font that works on any computer’s operating system, as your résumé will also likely be scanned by automated applicant tracking software,” Business News Daily added.
I love Helvetica and Garamond. I also frequently use Georgia because it’s a bolder serif font and really easy on the eyes.
Do you have a go-to font? Share your favorite fonts below or on our Facebook page. And share this article with your contacts on Facebook.
Add a Comment
Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.