Let me ask you something - when was the last time you thought about fonts on your resume? If you're like most people, you probably just picked whatever looked okay in Word and called it a day. Big mistake. I learned this the hard way when I sent out 87 resumes last year and only got three interviews. Turned out my font choice was part of the problem. Who knew?
Why Your Resume Font Matters More Than You Think
Recruiters spend about 7 seconds scanning your resume. Seven seconds! That's less time than it takes to tie your shoes. Your font is the first thing they see, and it sends unconscious signals before they read a single word.
I remember talking to Sarah, a hiring manager at a tech firm. She told me about a resume she got in Jokerman font - you know, that cartoonish font with stars and swirls. "It looked like a child's birthday invitation," she said. "Didn't even read the content." That candidate might have been perfect for the job, but they never got a chance.
Fonts affect three critical things:
- Readability: Can they actually read your achievements?
- ATS Compatibility: Will robot scanners understand it?
- First Impression: Does it look professional or amateurish?
So when you're wondering what font should a resume be, you're asking the right question. Let's break it down.
Fonts That Won't Fail You
After looking at hundreds of resumes and talking to recruiters, I've found these five fonts consistently work best. Each has different strengths:
| Font Name | Why It Works | Best For | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calibri | Modern, clean, and comes standard on all computers | Most industries; safe default choice | Experience Manager |
| Helvetica | Ultra-professional; used by major corporations | Finance, consulting, corporate roles | Project Lead |
| Lato | Friendly but professional; great readability | Tech startups, design fields | UI Designer |
| Georgia | Elegant serif that prints beautifully | Academia, publishing, law | Research Analyst |
| Gill Sans | Approachable yet polished humanist style | Healthcare, education, nonprofits | Nurse Practitioner |
I used Times New Roman for years thinking it was "professional." Then a recruiter friend told me it makes resumes look outdated. Switched to Lato and got 40% more interview requests. Sometimes small changes make big differences.
The Absolute Worst Resume Fonts
Just as important as knowing what font should a resume be is knowing which ones to run from. These fonts will tank your chances:
| Font | Why It Fails | What It Says About You |
|---|---|---|
| Comic Sans | Unprofessional and childish | "I don't take this seriously" |
| Papyrus | Distracting and hard to read | "I'm stuck in 2005" |
| Curlz MT | Illegible and inappropriate | "I want to be rejected" |
| Impact | Aggressive and space-consuming | "I make memes, not resumes" |
I saw a resume written entirely in Wingdings once. True story. The candidate thought it would show "creativity." It showed they didn't understand basic professionalism.
Font Size and Spacing Secrets
Choosing the right font solves only half the battle. Now let's talk about how to use it:
Size Matters More Than You Think
- Body text: 10.5-12pt (smaller than 10pt becomes unreadable)
- Headings: 14-16pt (make them stand out)
- Your name: 18-22pt (but don't go overboard)
I made the mistake of using 9pt font to fit more content. Big mistake. A hiring manager actually wrote back: "Are you trying to give me eyestrain?"
White Space is Your Friend
Crammed text is the enemy of good resumes. Follow these spacing rules:
- Line spacing: 1.15 is ideal (single spacing feels cramped)
- Paragraph spacing: Add 4-8pt after paragraphs
- Margins: 0.75 inches minimum (don't crowd the edges)
Good Resume Font Example
Marketing Manager | XYZ Corp (2019-2023)
Increased lead generation by 140% through targeted social media campaigns and optimized conversion funnels. Managed $500K annual budget with 22% ROI.
Special Cases: Creative Fields
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. If you're a graphic designer or artist, can you break the rules? Maybe. But carefully.
My friend Elena is a creative director. She says: "I appreciate creative resumes, but 70% of them are unreadable messes." Her advice:
- Never sacrifice readability for style
- Use display fonts ONLY for your name or section headers
- Keep body text in standard professional fonts
- PDF format only - never send Word files with custom fonts
Warning: Even in creative fields, your resume might first go through HR software. If ATS can't read it, humans never will. Always test in an ATS simulator first.
Technical Stuff: ATS Compatibility
If your resume gets eaten by tracking systems, font choice becomes irrelevant. Here's how to survive the robots:
ATS-Friendly Font Checklist
- Stick to standard system fonts (see our safe list above)
- Avoid thin or light font weights (they may not render)
- Never use images for text (ATS can't read them)
- Skip text boxes and columns (confuses parsing engines)
Honestly? I learned this after my beautifully designed resume disappeared into black holes for months. Started using Calibri and suddenly got responses. Coincidence? Probably not.
Real Questions People Ask
Can I use two different fonts on my resume?
Yes, but maximum two. Pair a sans-serif for headings with a serif for body text (or vice versa). Three fonts makes it look messy. I tried three once - looked like a ransom note.
What about Google Docs resume fonts?
Google Docs has limited font options. Best choices: Lato, Roboto, Merriweather. Avoid quirky fonts like Lobster or Pacifico. They look cute on coffee shop menus, not resumes.
Should my cover letter match my resume font?
Absolutely. Mismatched fonts look sloppy. Use identical font and formatting. Shows attention to detail.
Is Times New Roman ever acceptable?
It's not terrible, but it's dated. Over 70% of resumes use it, making yours blend in. Choose something modern unless applying to very traditional industries like law.
Font Mistakes That Scream "Amateur"
After reviewing thousands of resumes, recruiters spot these errors instantly:
- Size inconsistency: Headings varying by more than 2pt
- Over-bolding: Half the text screaming in bold
- Color disasters: Light gray text on white backgrounds
- ALL CAPS SECTIONS: Feels like shouting
A recruiter once showed me a resume with alternating red and green text. "It felt like Christmas," she sighed. "Not the professional vibe we wanted."
Font Pairings That Work Magic
Great resumes often use two complementary fonts. Try these proven combinations:
| Heading Font | Body Font | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Montserrat Bold | Open Sans | Tech, engineering |
| Playfair Display | Raleway | Creative fields |
| Oswald | Lora | Marketing, business |
Final Checklist Before Hitting Send
Before submitting your resume, run through this:
- Printed it? (some fonts look different on paper)
- Squinted at it? (if hard to read, change it)
- Asked someone over 40 to read it? (accessibility test)
- Saved as PDF? (preserves formatting)
- Used ATS simulator? (free tools like Jobscan)
Last thing - if you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: When deciding what font should a resume be, simplicity always wins. Your content should shine, not your font choice. Seems counterintuitive, but the best fonts are invisible. They let your achievements take center stage.
What font did I use for this article? Calibri, naturally. Because it works.
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