The power of the source

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the difference. Take the font you choose for your resume, for example.

You may be thinking – what is the problem? After all, it’s just a font and it can be changed in a few seconds.

But think again.

What does your source say about you and how would you fit into the organization you are applying for?

Times New Roman: what does it convey to you? To me, it conveys a sense of conservatism, following the status quo, obeying rules and conventions. This font choice could be great if you’re applying for a large, risk-averse, hierarchical type organization, for example, certain government agencies or the military.

Comic Sans: what does it convey to you? To me, it conveys a childlike quality, playfulness and joy. This font could be perfect if you are looking to work with children or as an entertainment artist, for example.

Arial: What does it transmit to you? It has a modern, professional and highly capable feel to me, and could be ideal if you’re applying for a corporate role at a bank or a large consulting firm, for example.

These are just a few examples, and the list is potentially endless…

So what does your font choice say about you: your personality, your skill set, your career path?

Think about how the font should look different if you’re applying for a job at a new company vs. an established company. Or a male-dominated industry versus a female-dominated one? or a customer-facing role versus a non-customer-facing role?

And to expand this even further, what does the color and size of your font say about you? Colorful or minimalist? Bold or discreet? Innovative or traditional?

There is absolutely no right or wrong about what font, size, or colors to use, just like there is no right or wrong about what abilities you bring to the table. But what DOES matter is consciously choosing fonts and colors in keeping with the skills and experience you highlight on your resume.

Because the most powerful and effective resumes are those that have all the elements aligned with your unique strengths, skills, and selling points. This includes the structure, font, color scheme, length, references, as well as the experience it lists and the education/training it includes.

So always remember the power of the source!