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Get That Job With The Right CV: What sort of paper should I print my CV on?

by Julie Gray

Good quality paper. First impressions count.

When someone’s hand closes on good quality paper, its thickness, texture and weight will count positively (within reason!) towards the image they will build of you. It is worth spending a little extra to ensure that the CV you have slaved over is presented as well as possible.

A lightly textured paper improves perceived quality, as does a heavier paper stock. In order to make it as readable as possible for everyone, print in black ink on a pale (not white) background such as cream, pale grey or pale blue paper. Use the same paper for both your CV and your covering letter. Don’t worry about matching envelopes: you should ideally use an A4 white or manila envelope so that you don’t have to fold your CV.

You may be thinking ‘How can I afford posh paper for hundreds of CVs when there’s a credit crunch/I’m out of work/I’m not made of money?’
On the whole, if you are properly researching and targeting your CV carefully for every job you apply for, to give yourself the best chance of getting an interview, then you’re unlikely to be sending out hundreds of CVs.

Job hunting is not about statistics: sending out 100 standardised, cheaply-printed CVs will not increase your chances of getting a job. Spending more time, effort and a little more money on fewer, carefully tailored, quality CVs is a far better use of limited resources.


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