# What is the best way to send out a resume? (Paper and Fonts) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461 "2009-03-06T00:29:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/21 "2009-03-06T17:47:06Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > IME, most judges these days are doing everything they can to go semi-paperless. If they’re no longer accepting hard copies of court filings, I doubt they want a hard copy of your resume cluttering their staffs’ inboxes. Unless that is what was requested, meaning you can follow simple instructions. > [@Voyager](#): > > But giving a reason at the very top why you stand out is far more important. How do you mean? A summary at the top? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/22 "2009-03-06T18:03:10Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > How do you mean? A summary at the top? Something like that. A resume contains lots of information, some relevant and some irrelevant. Even if someone reads it closely, he or she will draw his own opinions about what parts are more important than others. If someone wants the reader to get a certain message, a summary is the way to do it. The cover letter should say this also, but not many cover letters seem to make it through the on-line resume collection process. It’s kind of like a blurb, but a bit more subtle. Of course it has to be customized to the company the resume is going to. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/23 "2009-03-06T18:15:31Z")
Yes, most resumes are read in electronic format. That being said, do make a couple in good stock to hand out in person. And if you mail it in, yes, it can’t hurt to not use the cheap paper, but no real value in going for the expensive stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/24 "2009-03-06T18:17:53Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Unless that is what was requested, meaning you can follow simple instructions. Sure, but I didn’t see where the OP said anything about being instructed to provide a hard copy. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/25 "2009-03-06T18:27:24Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Worrying about the font and paper is putting your effort into the wrong place. > > Best bet is white paper and any readable font. I like Optima, but as long as it isn’t a cute display font, then that’s not an issue. White simply because the people who use colored paper are all-too-often using it to hide their lack of qualifications (“But it will stand out!” – so will parading nude into the office, but that won’t get you a job.\*). You’ll immediately be grouped in with the unqualified. Not a good place to be. > > Nobody every asked anyone to come to an interview because he used a really cool font on his resume. It’s what you say that matters. If I’m going to stand out I know it shouldn’t be for something inconsequential like resume paper or my delivery method. I think the focus of my paper and font considerations should be readability. If they make the resume more readable then they will make me look like a better writer. So I’m going with really bright white paper and the jury is still out on the best font type. It won’t be fancy though, I know that much. > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > IME, most judges these days are doing everything they can to go semi-paperless. If they’re no longer accepting hard copies of court filings, I doubt they want a hard copy of your resume cluttering their staffs’ inboxes. The job posting says the judge wants it by mail. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/26 "2009-03-06T18:39:36Z")
Surely you do want a paper version of your resume? Not for the job application, but for the interview? Then you can bring it out and hand it to the interviewer, saying you took the precaution of having a backup (or something similar). ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/27 "2009-03-06T18:40:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, most resumes are read in electronic format. That being said, do make a couple in good stock to hand out in person. Good point. I always took one with to an interview, and offered it to the interviewer at the start of the interview. Often they took it, because all they had seen before was an emailed version of it. (In one case, not even that – only a summary of what some HR person had decided were the ‘important’ points.) So here is where the nice paper & attractive fonts might make a difference – when you give it directly to the hiring manager. But remember – you got as far as being interviewed by him because of the content of your resume. Concentrate your effort there. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/28 "2009-03-06T18:52:16Z")
Also, you can **customize** your resume for the job opening. Don’t change the basic identification & job history part, but if you have a section of “Professional Experience” where you highlight some successful projects you have worked on, you can make sure to include ones similar to this job opening. For example, in the computer field, if this opening is a payroll/personnel one, move a payroll/HR project you worked on to the top of that list. Or if it’s a Finance/Accounting job, list a similar project you have worked on first on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/29 "2009-03-06T19:17:50Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > I think the focus of my paper and font considerations should be readability. If they make the resume more readable then they will make me look like a better writer. > > The job posting says the judge wants it by mail. Can you explain this a little more [see underlined]? How does paper make you look like a better writer? Would your words not do that? Unless you mean presentation: that the presentation may make you look like a better writer…even then we get back to the actual words you use. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/30 "2009-03-06T19:36:20Z")
As someone who has had to review/interview tons of folks… Fancy envelopes often get chewed up / damaged / misrouted / delayed by the company mail rooms and mail sorters. Use the generic Office Depot business envelope. The first impression that crosses all of our (the interviewers) minds when opening up a papyrus-gold-leaf-script-font-graphic-layout-texture-weave is “Oh god, not another one…” We eventually read it, but first impressions are very negative. My favorite was one on pink paper, with “doilied” lace edges on the parchment, and scented with rose perfume. This was for a computer help desk position 🙂 (no, they weren’t hired). ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/31 "2009-03-06T19:45:58Z")
I would go with something called pale nimbus with raised lettering and a watermark. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/32 "2009-03-06T21:27:10Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Can you explain this a little more [see underlined]? How does paper make you look like a better writer? Would your words not do that? > > Unless you mean presentation: that the presentation may make you look like a better writer…even then we get back to the actual words you use. A very well written resume might be more difficult to read because of the paper or unclear font. That might create the impression that the person is a bad writer if reader isn’t paying close attention to what is causing the difficulties. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/33 "2009-03-06T21:31:49Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > My favorite was one on pink paper, with “doilied” lace edges on the parchment, and scented with rose perfume. This was for a computer help desk position 🙂 Actually, that might have been a nice change of pace for a help desk. I am assuming they didn’t get an interview either? One of my friends did get an interview because she put “readin’, writin’ and recyclin’” under her Interests and our boss just had to meet her. She showed up in a dress and Timberlands and still got the job. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/34 "2009-03-06T21:36:56Z")
Well, I’ve always worked in law firms. Our business does lean a bit towards the stodgy, old-fashioned side, and I don’t think a resume sent on businesslike, quality paper stock would hurt anyone. Lawyers have literary tendencies, and good writing on good paper will still catch their eye, IMO. Just don’t get too fancy, as everyone says. If you go the paper route: Nice white or possibly cream paper of somewhat better quality, not cheapie bargain-basement photocopy paper. Still, don’t use the heavy rag bond. Plain, legible businesslike font, like Times New Roman. Try not to go over two pages. But, as everyone says upthread, content is 95% of the game. ---
**Author:** ![davekhps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/35 "2009-03-06T22:03:28Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > None of this makes any difference. None at all. The U.S. Federal Government works the same exact way. No reason at all to bother with anything fancy. In fact, there are usually specific templates/specific ways you have to structure your resume (RESUMIX is common) that preclude you from doing anything fancy at all. The big key with Uncle Sam is to focus on what you write, and use lots of keywords likely to ping the search computers. Those keywords are nearly always the same words used in the job description, including and especially in the qualifications desired/required sections. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2009, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/36 "2009-03-07T04:24:48Z")
Do people even snail mail resumes and cover letters anymore? Who do you even mail them to? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2009, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/37 "2009-03-07T06:18:08Z")
Paper? A paper resume? Last actual physical paper resume I sent was…mmm, circa 1998 I think. Last FAXed resume, also. I just assumed everyone emailed them as file attachments nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/38 "2009-03-07T16:42:33Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > Paper? A paper resume? > > Last actual physical paper resume I sent was…mmm, circa 1998 I think. Last FAXed resume, also. > > I just assumed everyone emailed them as file attachments nowadays. The law is a stodgy old profession. At least half of federal judges seeking post-grad clerks, if not more, do not choose to use the online system so helpfully provided for them. Why? Who knows? They like their bits of paper I guess. In the legal profession, which **Lakai** aspires to enter, paper resumes are the rule and not the exception. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/39 "2009-03-07T19:58:47Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > The law is a stodgy old profession. At least half of federal judges seeking post-grad clerks, if not more, do not choose to use the online system so helpfully provided for them. Why? Who knows? They like their bits of paper I guess. In the legal profession, which **Lakai** aspires to enter, paper resumes are the rule and not the exception. This is true. Lawyers are often complete retards when it comes to anything having to do with technology. I often wonder how they wrote papers in law school. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461/40 "2009-03-07T22:09:58Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > This is true. Lawyers are often complete retards when it comes to anything having to do with technology. I often wonder how they wrote papers in law school. Well the judge I’m sending out a resume to probably did it by hand. Since he went to law school in the 60’s writing it on a computer would have been difficult. Otherwise, your larger point stands. Most of my law professors can’t use technology. It’s very weird, but this will change soon once the youngsters take over. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-send-out-a-resume-paper-and-fonts/488461.md?page=3)