It’s one thing to tell you what not to do but as a few of you have asked, what about a few pointers on what works? You’ve read “Resume Right: Font 101” and now you’re looking for something beyond a mantra to avoid using Comic Sans. Though you should always avoid Comic Sans.

Your best bet for resume fonts is sticking with the basics, the reliable characters that are standard in Microsoft Word (no add-ins or downloads required). This is especially important if you’ll be submitting a resume via email as an attachment. You might love that unusually curvy font, but it won’t do you any good if it looks like gibberish in a recruiter’s or hiring manager’s inbox.

Use fonts like Times New Roman, Arial and Verdana. Generally, the serif fonts like Times New Roman are considered traditional or, in some circles, old fashioned. With clean lines, serif fonts like Arial and Verdana are considered more modern or contemporary. 

Whether you use a serif or sans serif font, just make sure it’s easy to read. Depending on your choice, you’ll need to adjust the size to ensure readability. Size 10-point font is not one size fits all.

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