Is resume paper necessary? White or ivory? We answer FAQs about printing your resume.
Although most of us now apply for jobs online, it is still best practice to bring a few paper copies of your resume to job interviews and career fairs.
Just as a well-designed, sturdy business card can speak volumes, a resume printed on high-quality paper demonstrates your professionalism.
Instead of using standard printer paper, we recommend taking the quality of your resume paper up a notch.
It's a small touch that can give you yet another edge over other applications, which alone is worth investing in.
In this post, we discuss:
- The ideal resume paper weight
- Which resume paper color to choose
- Our favorite resume paper brand and where to buy it
What resume paper weight should I choose?
We recommend using a 24 lb or 32 lb (90 - 120 gsm) paper for your resume.
For comparison, the most common paper weight used for regular printer paper is 20 lb. The heavier the paper weight, the thicker the paper.
A resume printed on 24 lb or 32 lb will feel slightly sturdier.
However, we don't recommend choosing a paper over 32 lb, as you'll start approaching cardboard territory.
Generally speaking, resume paper is less flimsy and will also stand out in a stack of resumes printed on regular paper. It’s also less likely to get damaged when passed around the office.
What is the best color of resume paper to use?
You want to make a strong impression without looking like you're trying too hard.
While there are ivory, grey, and blue resume papers available, we recommend keeping it classic and sticking with white.
The paper’s thickness and texture will be enough to get you noticed.
Which brand of resume paper should I choose?
Our favorite brand of resume paper is by far Southworth.
They're the world's leading manufacturer of resume paper and are endorsed by the National Resume Writers' Association.
Southworth paper has a wove or linen finish, which adds a nice touch of texture.
Here are our top recommendations:
Southworth 25% Cotton Business Paper (24 lb) - White, Linen Finish
($8 on Amazon)
Southworth 100% Cotton Resume Paper (32 lb) - White, Wove Finish
($13.50 on Amazon)
Southworth 25% Cotton Business Paper (24 lb) - White, Wove Finish
($22 on Amazon)
Where can I buy it?
You'll likely find the best prices on Amazon (we included links above).
Office supply stores including Office Depot and Staples tend to stock resume paper as well.
What is the ideal resume paper size?
If you are based in the US, you should use the standard 8.5” x 11" paper size for your resume.
In Summary
Simply put, attention to detail matters.
Because your resume is often your first impression, we recommend putting your best foot forward.
To find out more, visit our website www.resumepilots.com. If you have any further questions, you can either book a consultation call with one of our team, or get in touch via email on team@resumepilots.com
Please note that this post contains affiliate links, so we may receive a small commission for items purchased via these links. That said, we fully support the products recommended above and recommend them regardless.
About Resume Pilots
Resume Pilots is an award-winning executive resume writing firm and a proud member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches...
As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously...
Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities...
Here's how we can help you:
Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services
Executive Resume Template Downloads
To learn more, book an introductory call or email team@resumepilots.com.