In the above Resume Template we have used 2 fonts, 'Arial' for content and 'Trebuchet MS' for headings.

Resume Fonts

The easiest fonts to read belong to the ‘Serif’ & ‘Sans Serif’ families.  Resume font selection is important especially for the main body text, as the font must be easy to read and widely used - if you choose an uncommon font it may default to a more common font once the recipient opens your resume, which can unexpectedly change your formatting. 

Best Resume fonts 

The best resume fonts belong to the Serif Font and the Sans Serif Font families. Serif Fonts are characterized by small ‘feet' or ‘caps' on the ends of each letter. The most common Serif font is TIMES NEW ROMAN. Serif fonts are often described as classical, old-fashioned and or traditional fonts. Because they are more intricate with their cappings, they are often more difficult to read than Sans Serif fonts.

Sans Serif fonts are clean-lined and contemporary. Due to the simplicity of the Sans Serif fonts, they are typically easy to read requiring less visual concentration. The most common Sans Serif font is ARIAL.

Resume Font: readability and font pt size

With so many fonts to choose from, it is important you narrow it down to one that appeals to you, but that is easy to read. Below are listed the most commonly used and accepted fonts for resumes.  Each resume font has been graded in terms of readability and minimum point size.  Sans Serif fonts typically have a lower 'minimum font pt size' due to their straight clean-lines.

Resume Font Guidelines

1.  The main content in your resume should be typed using a font from either the 'Serif' or 'Sans Serif' font family - keeping in mind which fonts within these families rate highly in readability, 3 stars are preferable, and the likes of these fonts Gill Sans, Tahoma, Trebuchet and Verdana, still provide you with choice.

2.  Alternative font styles (not listed in the Serif or Sans Serif families can be used for headings, but make sure they are widely used (ie. not just used by designers) other wise you run the risk that the recipient won't have the font in their computer, in which case the font you used will default to a basic font, altering the presentation and formatting of your resume.

3.  Try to use no more than 2 font styles in the main body of your resume

4.  Make sure the font 'pt size' is readable, you are better to use larger pt sized font and use more space (ie. continue your resume onto another page) than to cram too much text on one page. Empty space is important to aid recruiters to find relevant information, and small font is much more difficult to read.