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.
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. Our previous clients include CEOs and senior executives at the world's leading companies.
As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously. We are committed to delivering writing excellence and superior service while operating with integrity and discretion. Recruitment firms we partner with also trust us to consistently deliver quality documents for their clients.
Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities and have strong writing backgrounds coupled with industry experience.
Here's how we can help you:
Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services: If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up.
Executive Resume Template Downloads: If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.
To learn more about our services, book an introductory call with our founder here or email team@resumepilots.com.
About the AuthorMatt Glodz
Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents.
At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years.
He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.