Your resume is the first thing a potential new employer sees when looking at your application. Handing in qualifications in person rather than sending them by email often has a favorable long-term impact. However, believe it or not, some also pay attention to whether you’ve printed it on resume paper or not. Discover all the available paper choices and learn how to select the best one.
What is Resume Paper?
The paper used for resumes is thicker than regular printing or copy paper and is also better in quality. Although the material is not as important as the content itself, heavier paper will give your resume a more professional appearance.
Remember that selecting the appropriate paper may help you stand out among hundreds of other candidates. It’s like an advertisement paper from the local supermarket — it spices up your resume to immediately attract the recruiters’ attention.
Types of Resume Paper
Using quality paper for your resume indicates seriousness about the job position. Creating resumes for different situations is easier if you use various paper types. Don’t hesitate to stand out with your resume paper and try to be unique.
For example, a 32-pound ivory paper with a linen texture for your resume is considered one of the best resume paper choices when applying for a higher position within your company or elsewhere.
Five Main Characteristics
The resume paper type depends on the creator’s personal touch and the combination of color, weight, texture, material, and size.
Material
The paper can be made of various materials, including cotton, linen, recycled paper, parchment, bamboo, etc. Cotton resume paper is mainly used for its softness, but recycled paper is more valued since it’s environmentally friendly. The best option may be the granite specialty paper — it has an elegant look and is also made from recycled material.
Before submitting your resume, make sure it isn’t laminated. Hiring managers frequently take notes in pen or pencil on resumes, but because lamination protects the document from harm, it prevents them from writing on it.
Texture
Various paper textures include satin, woven, matte, linen, and others. The resume paper texture gives your resume an elegant and smooth look.
For example, the laid finish aims to emulate the look of handmade paper. However, while it can look pretty unique, you might want to avoid it: laid paper, in particular, is most prone to having printing mistakes.
On the other hand, paper with a high cotton content will show clearer and more distinct fonts. Its incredible smoothness is another one of its prominent characteristics that won’t go unnoticed.
Weight
The resume paper weight is important because thicker paper decreases the probability of wrinkles. Most people consider 24-lb or 32-lb paper the best paper for resume printing. Consider requesting a business printer at an office supply store that offers commercial printing on 32-lb paper since most home printers might be unable to handle it.
Color
Experimenting with resume paper color is uncommon but might give your document a prevailing edge over others. Aim for natural colors and a clean and tidy look. White is considered standard, although light green or brownish paper color may appear more elegant and easy to read. Gray, for example, is seen as professional and helps the resume stand out from the crowd.
Size
The resume paper size can be tricky, especially when competing for a job position against many applicants. The most common paper size in the United States is 8-½” x 11”. Other parts of the world prefer the A4 paper format, or 210mm x 297mm. You can use the legal document size 8-½” x 14” for a unique and professional look — the few inches of extra length tend to stand out and attract attention.
Choosing the Right Paper
Most HR professionals consider white or off-white the best paper color for resumes. Although some professionals recommend ivory, it may appear too bright under some lights. Colored resume paper isn’t typically used, but it may be a smart alternative when applying for a job in the creative sector.
Most recommendation letters are printed on heavy, matte resume paper. When applying for a job position in a company, non-profit organization, or university, use a letterhead with a watermark and include personal contact information at the top of the sheet.
For the best and most stylish piece, use white or ivory resume paper made of 75–100% cotton with granite or plain texture, and ensure it weighs 24–32 lbs.
Keeping Your Resume Safe
A good resume paper in solid shape shows professionalism and may make a favorable first impression. To avoid damage, store resumes in flat folders or envelopes. Avoid placing them on desks and ensure they’re never folded in half.
Instead of stapling the pages or folding the corners, consider using a moveable paper clip. This may show that you handle paperwork with care and keep things organized. A resume free of rips and stains also shows signs of proper care.
Resume Paper — Conclusion
A great resume shows the employer that you put in extra effort and are careful with paperwork. In addition, they may notice how you can apply these abilities in the position they are considering you for, especially if it involves document production or editing.
Avoid making your resume too sophisticated, as it may prove impractical for the recruiters. With the appropriate paper size, material, and other aspects, you can make the best resume and gain the upper hand during the recruitment process.