When you learned how to do a resume in school, you were probably told to use Times New Roman as a font for every one you write. Times New Roman is a great font with high readability, but it is also one of the most common. So if you want to stand out, look different, and get noticed, it’s not the best choice. There are a variety of other fonts you can use that look equally professional, but also look more more unique.

Choosing a resume’s font depends on what type of job you are applying for.

When applying for a job in a financial field, there are certain fonts that will provide that timeless and executive look. Some of these fonts are: Palatino, Goudy, Century Schoolbook, Bookman Old Style, Garamond, and Book Antiqua. These fonts will make you look different than other applicants — in a classy way — and will therefore draw more attention to your credentials, improving your chances of an interview. You may want to pair them with a classic, rich-looking bond paper in an off-white or beige.

When applying for a cutting edge type job in a field like graphic design, marketing, or information technology, it is best to use fonts that have a clean and modern look. Some of these are: Tahoma, Arial, Century Gothic, Franklin Gothic, and Verdana. These fonts are very modern looking and will get you noticed over others. They probably work best with a very clean white paper.

Fonts like Fajita or Paisley should be avoided. Although these fonts are great for advertising, they are hard to read when used on a resume. They look unprofessional as well.

If used judiciously, it’s possible to create a nice look by combining different fonts, such as using one for your name and address, another for headings, and a third for the content. But that’s a bit like wearing a striped tie with a striped shirt and a striped suit — don’t attempt it unless you or someone you trust has impeccable visual taste and can ensure that your choices harmonize and complement each other elegantly, rather than clashing and making you look like a bumpkin.

Selection of a font is an important aspect of how to do a resume, and will help get yours noticed above the rest. The trick is to stand out as impressive, not just to stand out! When you apply for a job that gets thousands of applicants, anything you can do to make your resume unique in a positive way is going to help you get that first interview.

George L. Lenard is the owner and editor of George’s Employment Blawg, which features over 1500 posts on a wide range of employment-related issues, including employment law and human resources topics, as well as many valuable resources for job seekers and an extensive bookstore.

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