Choose the right resume paper to land more interviews
In the era of the Internet, more and more people apply for jobs and network online. It means that the vast majority of job-seekers only use a digital copy of their resume – the one they’ve created in a word processor or bought from the resume writing services NYC. However, are paper resumes really out of date? And do you need to print out a paper resume in 2020? The short answer is yes, and below we’ll explain why.
The two main situations when you’ll need a physical copy of your resume are job fairs and interviews. In both cases you want your resume paper to contribute to your professional image. For that, you’ll need a specific paper type – the one that looks solid and professional and encourages the reader to pay attention to the resume content. Continue reading to find out how to choose a resume paper for your needs.
5 Resume Paper Tips and Secrets!Where to get your resume professionally done?
Before bothering with choosing a resume paper, you need to make sure that your resume content is up to scratch. You want a resume that accurately reflects your career history, focuses on the accomplishments, and catches the eye with a clean and neat structure.
The best way to get such a resume is to work with a professional resume creator who will write a resume from scratch based on your instructions and with your career goals in mind. Resume builders don’t make the cut – they make your resume look like those of everyone else, making it impossible for you to truly stand out.
At Resumeperk.com, we match you with a writer specializing in your industry, and they work on your application documents until you are happy, as stated in our satisfaction guarantee. We work exclusively online, so you can get a professional resume written to the highest US standards from anywhere.
We offer urgent delivery from 24 hours, and our support team is always on touch in case you need any assistance. Talk to us to discuss how we can assist in your job search.
When do you need a physical copy of your resume?
It’s highly recommended that you bring one for an interview even if the hiring manager doesn’t specifically ask for it. It might occur that they don’t have a copy of your resume in front of them, and if you put it in front of the interviewer’s eyes, it will show your preparedness and stimulate the conversation.
Always have a paper resume with you when attending an industry event or a job fair. If you meet someone who works for your dream company, you can hand them a copy instantly. And if you happen to be one of the few people who bothered to hand their resume in person, you have every chance to get noticed.
How to choose the best resume paper?
Once you have a completed resume at hand, it’s time to choose a paper your resume will be printed on. The paper you use can contribute to an overall positive impression about you, that’s why using a standard white paper that you typically use to print out files and college papers isn’t the best idea. Just like you dress your best for an interview, you should ‘dress up’ a resume using paper of higher quality. Here are the main considerations:
1. Paper weight
Most printers use light, 20 lbs paper. Whereas it’s not prohibited to print out a resume on a paper like this, handing someone a thin paper sheet doesn’t help create a professional impression. For a resume, it’s best to use a 24 lbs sheet – it’s heavier, and it feels differently from the ordinary paper so that the recruiter would take notice. When it comes to creating the right impression, tiniest details matter!
2. Paper color
The common paper colors for resumes are white, ivory, and light gray. The color you choose should depend on the content and design of your resume. If you use graphics or colors in a resume, choose the paper that highlights those visual elements. As a rule, it’s not recommended to use a colored paper for a resume. But if you’re in a creative industry such as marketing, software development, or graphic design, using a bright paper can help you stand out. Whatever resume paper you choose, make sure to use strong resume words in the resume content.
3. Paper texture
Light, cheap 20 lbs paper has the same texture, whereas heavier paper has multiple options to choose from. For a resume, you might want to choose between the linen, coated, laid, and many other options. Linen paper has textured lines on each sheet and therefore looks formal enough to be used for a resume. Another popular option for a resume is cotton paper that feels smooth in touch. When choosing a texture, note that it will give the recruiter an impression about you as well.
4. Paper watermarks
Using watermarks on a resume paper is not mandatory. It’s time-consuming, takes effort and not every recruiter will notice it. However, if you’re in a senior-level position in a traditional industry, you might want to use a watermark as well to contribute to your professional image in this way.
Aside from a paper resume, career experts recommend that you also create a professional website.
What to check in your resume before printing it out?
Before you hit the ‘Print’ button, make sure to check your resume on the computer screen first. Here’s what exactly to pay attention to:
- Neat formatting and design. You can use the most expensive paper, but it won’t matter if your resume uses a Times New Roman font in different sizes and the formatting looks cluttered. Review how the resume looks on the computer screen – the use of fonts and color should be consistent and look neat. Leave some white space between the sections to let the document ‘breathe’.
- The completeness of information. Check if you’ve included everything you wanted, and no section is missing. For instance, when you write a resume in a rush, it’s easy to forget to include education, volunteering or so. Also, make sure you’ve listed all important accomplishments, awards, and skills – recruiters can’t read thoughts.
- The document length. The golden standard is that your resume shouldn’t exceed two pages in length. So, if yours is longer, consider removing the irrelevant information and outdated facts from your career history. Mind that if you are using an expensive paper, it’s acceptable that you print the resume on both sides of the sheet.
- Correct grammar and punctuation. Grammar mistakes are the deal-breakers for recruiters – many of them won’t interview candidates who has submitted a resume with typos, grammar and punctuation issues. So, edit the document several times until you are completely sure that each sentence makes sense and no mistakes will prevent you from making a stellar impression.
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Where to buy resume paper if you don’t have one?
If you don’t have a resume or the one you have is a few years old, there are two main options. You can create a resume on your own using an online template or hire a pro resume writer. Whereas the first option is the most popular, it has its downsides. If you write a resume by yourself, you might make mistakes without even realizing it, and these shortcomings will reduce your chances for an interview. Moreover, if you use a template, chances are that other people are using it as well so your resume won’t look original.
Collaboration with a resume creator, on the other hand, ensures the creation of a unique resume based on your needs. You’ll receive high quality of writing, original design and have all your resume questions answered. By the way, we are giving 20% discount for resume writing – contact us on chat for your discount code.
Where to buy resume paper near me?
We’ve discussed the paper types for a resume, so where do you actually buy this paper? Here are the examples of top resume paper brands you can buy on Amazon:
- Southworth Parchment paper – recommended by the National Resume Writers Association, this type of paper is the safe bet if you struggle to choose a suitable paper type. It has 24 lbs weight, a slight texture and is compatible with any printer.
- Southworth 100% Cotton paper – smooth finish is a popular option, so if you want to distinguish your resume from others, consider using this texture. It has a 32lbs weight, is resistant to damage and the distinct texture will add up to the recruiter’s impression about you.
- HP Printer Premium paper – this paper is cheaper than the previous ones, yet, it’s suitable for professional purposes including printing your resume. The smooth texture and heavier weight make it a great option for your application documents.
What color resume paper is best?
The resume papers listed above typically go in classic color options such as white, off-white, ivory, gray, etc. In most cases, you should choose between these colors to give your resume a professional appearance. However, if you’re in a creative industry, you might want to consider brighter colors for your resume as well.
Resume Paper Tips and Secrets
- 1. Cotton resume paper. As strange as it may sound, a cotton resume paper would show your care for the quality of the document itself. There are many types of resume paper, but 100 cotton resume paper is definitely the best. You should opt to print your resume o quality paper only.
- 2. Ivory paper. Ivory paper is not suitable for resume. Your cover letter and resume should make the right first impression. Do not choose the cheapest paper at your local office depot!
- 3. Paper size. The paper size is important. It is a bad idea to be creative with color, material, or size of the paper you choose to print your resume. Your resume and letters should be of appropriate, standard page size. Among paper options, do not choose the ones that cannot fit the envelop and require folding.
- 4. Cover letters and resumes should be printed on the same paper. Your documents should look and feel the same. It means the same paper, the same color, the same font choice, and the same format.
- 5. Pay attention to detail and avoid thinking out of a box. A company representative would appreciate a professional approach unless you are applying for a very creative position and it would be suitable to excessively show it.
Receive a professional resume critique
Before printing your resume on a fancy paper, you need to ensure that it’s flawless and error-free. The best way to do so is to have your resume reviewed by a professional resume maker. Our professional can evaluate your resume and send you a report covering its strengths and areas for improvement at no cost. Send us your resume, and hear a professional opinion from a custom resume writing service in 1-2 business days.