Which Resume Size Is Correct? Choosing A4 vs B5 and Printing

When preparing a resume, many people wonder, "Which paper size is correct, A4 or B5?" or "Is it OK to print it at a convenience store?" To put the conclusion first, A4 (A3 folded in half) is the mainstream for job changes, but there are also situations where B5 is used, and the choice changes depending on the employer and the submission method. This article explains how to choose your resume size, how to print it at home or a convenience store, and the points to watch when submitting, in an easy-to-understand way.

A4 is the mainstream resume size

Commercial and template resumes generally come in two types: the "A4 format," which is A3 when open and becomes A4 when folded in half, and the "B5 format," which is B4 when open and becomes B5 when folded. In recent years, partly because business documents are standardized on A4, the A4 format has become mainstream in job-change activities. If the employer gives no particular instruction, you can't go wrong choosing the A4 format.

On the other hand, the B5 format has a compact writing space that keeps the amount of handwriting down, so it is still used for applications to part-time and casual jobs. Neither is superior to the other; the point is to choose according to the submission destination and your situation.

How to choose between A4 and B5

When you're unsure, it's good to choose based on the following criteria.

Cases where A4 size is suitable

• Applying for a job change or full-time position (because the standard for business documents is A4)
• When you want to match the size with your work history (resume), which is basically A4
• When you have a lot to write or appeal and want room in the fields
• When submitting data for a web application (A4 templates are common)

Cases where B5 size is suitable

• When applying for a part-time or casual job and the employer assumes B5
• When you have little to write and want to keep it compact
• When the employer has specified B5

The most important thing is to follow the employer's instruction when there is one. If there is no instruction, choosing A4 for a job change is the safe option.

Match the size of your resume and work history

In job-change activities, it is common to submit the resume and the work history (shokumu keirekisho) as a set. In this case, unify the size of the two documents to A4. If the sizes are inconsistent, they are hard to handle when filing or scanning, and may give the impression that you lack attention to detail. For how to write a work history, please also refer to our work history writing manual article.

How to print a resume

If you download a template and print it, pay attention to the size settings and the paper.

Printing at home

If you have an A4-capable printer, print on A4 paper. In the print settings, choose "actual size" or "100%," and be careful that it is not automatically reduced to fit the paper size. For paper, using slightly thick, good-quality white paper rather than plain paper gives a neat impression.

Printing at a convenience store

If you don't have a printer at home, you can print at a convenience store's multifunction copier. Register the PDF on a USB memory stick, a smartphone app, or a net print service, and output it in A4, black and white (or color if needed). Check the settings before printing so you don't choose the wrong paper size.

For the type of font and recommended size (character size) used in application documents, our article on resume fonts explains it in detail.

Size when submitting data for a web application

When submitting a resume by email or form, making it an A4-size PDF is the basic rule. Because the layout can break if left as Word or Excel, convert it to PDF before sending. Make the file name easy to understand, such as "Resume_Name," and it's reassuring to also check that the file size isn't too large (such as the photo resolution).

Frequently asked questions about resume size

Q. Should I submit my resume in A4 or B5?

If there is no instruction from the employer, A4 is recommended for job changes. The standard for business documents is A4, and you can match the size with your work history. B5 is also used for part-time and casual jobs, but if you're unsure, choosing A4 will not be impolite.

Q. Is it a problem to print my resume at a convenience store?

It's no problem. If you output the PDF in A4 on a multifunction copier, you can use it just like a home printer. Be careful not to set the wrong paper size when printing, and check that the print isn't faint.

Q. Does the way to choose the size differ between handwriting and PC creation?

The basic way to choose is the same, and A4 is the mainstream for job changes. For handwriting, use commercial A4-format (A3 folded in half) resume paper; for PC creation, use an A4 template, and there's no problem. For how to write in general, please also refer to our resume writing guide article.

Summary: If there's no instruction, choose A4 for your resume size

For resume paper size, the A4 format (A3 folded in half) is the mainstream for job changes, and matching the size with your work history is the basic approach. B5 is also used for part-time and casual jobs, but follow the employer's instruction when there is one. You can print in A4 at home or a convenience store, and for web applications, making it an A4 PDF is the safe choice. Keep the manners of size and printing in mind, and prepare an easy-to-read document.