Writing a resume is not easy.
You have to take care of every detail, such as using a professional font, current font size, line-spacing, keywords, and many other things.
But have you ever thought about which resume paper to use in printing your resume?
Since the inception of the internet, many people assume that you no longer need a physical copy of a resume.
However, the truth is that most interviews nowadays happen face-to-face, and the recruiters expect you to bring a hard copy of your resume during the interviews.
While providing a hard copy of your resume to the recruiter, you must remember that it should look presentable.
The paper should be of high quality, without bends or wrinkles. It would surprise you to see how a high-quality resume paper makes you more presentable and likable in the eyes of a recruiter.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about resume papers in 2022.
- What is a resume paper?
- Is a resume paper necessary?
- What are the different types of resume papers?
- Tips for choosing the best resume paper?
What is a Resume Paper?
Resume paper is designed to print resumes and cover letters.
It's more durable than regular copy paper but not as heavy as card stock.
If you're looking to print your resume or cover letter, resume paper is a good choice because it is sturdy enough to stand up multiple copies without tearing or smudging.
It's also important because it makes your first impression extremely good in front of the recruiter or an employer.
Poor quality resume paper can get wrinkled or bent, and it may make you look slouchy and schlumpy.
**Also Read: **What are the 14 Best Fonts For Resumes in 2022?
Difference Between Resume Paper & Regular Paper
A resume paper is thicker, more durable, and more high-quality than a regular paper. Depending on your requirements, it also comes in different sizes, features, and colors.
Many people think resumes and regular papers are the same, which is incorrect.
Is Resume Paper Necessary?
The resume paper is unnecessary if you are applying virtually and giving the interviews virtually.
However, there are some situations where a resume paper is necessary. Such as:
- When you're attending an in-person interview
- If you are applying for a job at a job fair
- If you're physically mailing a copy of your resume to a company
In these particular cases, you need a resume paper if you want to look professional.
A high-quality resume paper makes your resume stand out and leaves a great first impression on the hiring manager,
**Also Read: **What are The 10+ Best Resume Formats in 2022?
What are the Different Types of Resume Paper?
There are multiple types of resume papers in the market. Different resumes can have different colors, textures, materials, weights, and sizes for different jobs, industries, and companies.
Color
Resume papers can come in various colors. It's your responsibility to choose the right shade of color when picking a resume paper. A wrong choice of color can make you look unprofessional.
Here are some standard colors to use in a resume:
1. White:
This is the standard color of a resume paper. And the safest option. If you have no idea what color to choose for a resume paper, go with a white resume paper with your eyes closed.
2. Ivory:
Ivory is also a popular color choice for resume papers. It has a slightly toned off-white look. It can work well if you follow the material or minimal design for your resume. Ivory color can give your resume a classic professional look.
3. Other Colors:
It's not recommended to use other colors in your resume paper. However, you can use colorful resume papers to showcase your talent and skill for some creative jobs such as graphic designer, UI-UX designer, etc.
However, the choice of color, variety of colors, and the template you use should be complementary to one another and should not look out of place.
Always print the colored resume on paper, and see if the hard copy looks better or not before sending it to recruiters.
Also, when selecting a resume color, you need to consider the industry you're applying for.
Some companies may require a formal application. For these types of industries and companies, it's best to use white color resume paper.
Deep colors such as blue, brown, green, and yellow do not look good on hard copies .
Materials
There are three main types of resume papers:
- Cotton
- Recycled
- Parchment
1. Cotton:
Cotton is the most popular choice and expensive for resume paper material, as it's made with cotton fibers woven together to create a smooth surface for printing on.
2. Recycled Paper:
Recycled paper has become popular because of the current focus on the environment. These have similar properties to Cotton since it's made with recycled cotton papers.
3. Parchment:
Parchment papers look and feel vintage and classic. So, if you want a classic vibe in your resume, you can choose a parchment resume paper.
Textures
A textured paper gives the paper a classic feel. Depending on your choice, it can be rough, semi-rough, or smooth. Here are some of the popular textured papers for your consideration:
1. Linen Resume Paper:
Linen is a premium-quality textured paper. You can choose a variety of linen finishes to get the perfect feel you want.
2. Laid:
Laid is also a premium texture, which gives the paper a sophisticated look. However, you need to test and review the final print of your resume to ensure the pattern in the resume paper doesn't affect the print quality.
3. Granite:
Granite textured papers are made with recycled paper. And the color of these papers is on the darker side than regular paper. This dark speckled look gives the paper a unique look, and if you can use it in the right context, it can draw the recruiter's attention extremely well.
Resume Paper Weight
The weight of the paper also plays an essential role in the look and feel of a resume paper.
The weight of the paper comes from the paper's thickness. The thicker the resume paper, the more difficult it is to bend or wrinkle the resume. So, most professionals will tell you to use a 24-pound or 32-pound resume paper.
Resume Paper Size
The size of the resume paper also matters. The size shouldn't be too small that, you can’t fit all your content on one page. It shouldn't be too big either. The ideal size for the resume paper is 8.5 * 11 inches.
**Also Read: **What is The Best Resume Layout in 2022?
Tips For Choosing The Best Paper For Resume
Here are five tips to choose the best resume paper:
1. Consider Your Resume Template
You may decide on different resume papers based on the different resume formats. For example, the functional resume format and chronological resume format look good on ivory papers.
Combination resumes and creative resumes stand out more on white paper.
2. Purchase Multiple Styles of Paper
If you're unsure which type of resume paper will work best for you, consider purchasing multiple types and testing them on your printer before printing hundreds of copies.
3. Use High-quality Paper For Management And Executive Positions
If you're applying for management or executive positions, consider using high-quality resume paper such as linen or cotton that feels nice in the hands when reading through applications at high-end companies like Google or Apple Inc. It also shows that you are a detail-oriented person.
4. Compare Your Resume Paper to Your Industry
When it comes to choosing the perfect resume paper for your industry, there are many factors at play.
For example, if you're applying for an executive position in finance or insurance, you might want to use a heavier weight of paper with more texture — because these industries tend to use heavier stock than other industries.
On the other hand, if you're applying for an accounting position in an investment bank, it's probably best to stick with regular-weight paper because those companies usually prefer something lighter that can easily be filed away in a folder or file cabinet without weighing down the folder too much.
5. Create a Unique Experience for Recruiters
To get your resume noticed by the recruiter, you need to create a unique experience for them. So, send the resume in a nicely chosen 24 or 32-pound resume paper. Recruiters will notice the weight difference among other resumes and surely will pick your resume.
**Also Read: **What are the top 5 Essential Resume Sections in 2022?
Key Takeaways
We bet you didn't know that a resume paper has so much influence on the recruitment process.
Here are some of the key information we can revisit from the blog:
- Always bring 3-4 copies of your resume during job interviews
- Use ivory, 32lb 100% cotton resume papers to give the resume to interviewers
- You can use a 24lb or 28lb paper if you can't find a 32lb paper
Visit Hiration's 360 Degree Career Platform to create your professional resume and cover letter. Download it in PDF and Word format to print and send to recruiters.
If you have any questions, reach out to us at support@hiraiton.com. We provide 24/7 online chat assistance for our AI-powered tool.
