Best Font for a CV

The best font for a CV is one that is basic and legible at a glance, making it easy to scan your CV in just seven seconds, the average amount of time that hiring managers initially scan a CV before deciding whether to take a closer look. It should be large enough to read easily but small enough that you can still fit all of the information on one or two pages. Learn more: How Long Should a CV Be?

Here are some basic steps you can follow to find the best font to use for your CV:

1. Choose a simple font

It’s important to choose a CV font that’s simple since it makes your CV easily legible. Additionally, a lot of large companies use applicant tracking systems to scan CVs and identify the best candidates. If your CV is constructed using a decorative or complicated font, it could be hard for the ATS system to read it, and your CV could be automatically passed by because of the font. When choosing a font, you essentially have two different categories of font to select from: serif and sans serif. A serif font has decorative strokes off the end of the letters, sometimes referred to as feet or tails. Sans serif fonts don’t include these decorative lines. Whether you go with the serif or sans serif font is ultimately a personal decision, since both are easy to read. However, keep in mind that serif fonts are typically easier to read in print, while sans serif fonts are usually easier to read online. Since many CVs today are scanned online initially, you may want to consider a sans serif font to make your CV as easy as possible to read. Learn more: 4 Great Personal Statement Examples for Your CV — & Why They Work

2. Choose the right font size

While it can be tempting to use a larger font if you don’t have a lot of information on your CV or a much smaller font to fit lots of information on a single page, the best font size for your CV is 11 points. If you need a bit more room, you could drop the size to 10.5 or increase to 12-point font. However, don’t go smaller or larger than that. The exception is the headings. It’s appropriate to use a slightly larger font for the headings, between 14 and 16-points, to make your CV easily scannable.

3. Use italics and bolding strategically

Bolding text is a great strategy if you want to call attention to specific parts of your CV. In fact, you can save space on your CV by bolding headers without increasing the size of the font. You can also use italics with supporting text, such as for highlighting the city and state of the university you attended. These small stylistic elements can help the recruiter scan your CV without creating a distraction. Do avoid underlining any of the text, though, since it can make a CV feel cluttered.

• Be consistent: Whatever font you choose to use on your CV, be consistent and use the same styles, sizes, and colors throughout your entire CV package, including on the cover letter and other application materials. The same applies if you decide to pair two different font styles on your CV, with one being used for the headers and another for the body.
• Print your CV before submitting: While many companies will scan your CV on your computer, if they decide they want to take a closer look, they’ll likely print the CV out. Hiring managers typically also print CVs for interviews. Before you submit your CV for a job opening, print it out to see if it’s easy to scan through. If it’s difficult to read or if the font looks cramped, you should revise and choose a different font and font size. You may need to modify the bullets on your CV to accommodate a larger font.
• Avoid getting fancy: While there are exceptions where you may want to have a more creative CV, such as cases where you’re applying for a graphic design position, it’s generally best to keep your CV as simple as possible. Consider getting a second opinion by handing your printed CV to a friend or family member to get a second opinion and make sure it’s easily scannable.
• Don’t change font size to make CV one page: The length of the CV is less important than the content it contains. Don’t modify the size of the font to make a shorter CV one page long or squeeze a longer CV onto one page. If you have lots of work experience where a two-page CV is necessary, consider having a one-page version to hand out at job fairs or networking events, and keep the longer version reserved for applying for jobs.

Learn more: 13 Must-Have Words to Include In Your CV