What color resume paper should you use? The short answer is white, most of the time. As with many things in life, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Generally, your resume should maintain a crisp, clean, and professional appearance, and white paper accomplishes that goal. Color paper is not the best choice for everyone, but it can be great for artists because it demonstrates a “think outside the box” mentality.
A picture is worth a thousand words and the six images below let you see for yourself how different earth-tone colors compare. These are examples of the same resume with various paper colors you may see while shopping. Keep in mind that white is the best option for most job seekers.
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A resume is not the place to showcase your favorite color as this can be a sign of poor judgment, in some cases. However, there is nothing wrong with individualism, as long as it does not detract from the content or fall too far outside of the business standard (again, unless it is an artistic position that requires you to ‘think outside the box and really demonstrate creativity’).
Regardless of your profession, the weight of the paper can make a difference, and resume paper should not be too flimsy or be considered card stock. A choice used by many executives is quality white or ivory paper made of cotton or linen; these options tend to complement a strong and compelling resume. You can find these options at many retail stores, such as Target, Office Depot, and the like – Amazon is another option if you want it delivered directly to you.
Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to consider:
DO use 8.5 x 11 paper.
DO use paper heavier than the flimsy 20 lbs – preferably between 24 lbs and 32 lbs.
DO use professional shades like white, ivory, or other natural tones.
DON’T use solid bright colors unless it is part of an overall design aesthetic for a portfolio or you are an artist. It’s great to be creative and bold, just keep it professional.
DON’T use card stock.
DON’T be boring – use a little creativity in the overall design of your resume.
By the way, your resume should not only have the right paper, but also powerful language and a great design to match! Most of all, ensure you have all the keywords relevant to your desired job. It will help you get through applicant tracking systems. The internet is a great tool for reading sample resumes for individuals in your industry.
Victoria is a content writer with a passion for providing well-researched information and wide-ranging resources that help people overcome professional and personal obstacles.
