Resume Writing Style, Action Verbs & Formatting Rules (ATS-Friendly Guide)
Even with strong experience and the right format, many
resumes fail because of poor writing style and incorrect formatting.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- How to
write resume content professionally
- Which action
verbs strengthen ATS performance
- Formatting
rules recruiters expect to see
These elements determine whether your resume gets read or
rejected.
Resume Writing Style: What Recruiters Expect
A resume or CV must be:
- Clear
- Concise
- Professional
- Error-free
Essential Writing Rules
- Write
in third person
- Avoid
using “I”, “me”, or “my”
- Use active
voice
- Focus
on actions and results
- Keep
sentences short and direct
❌ Weak example:
I was responsible for managing office work.
✅ Strong example:
Managed office operations and administrative records.
Use Action Verbs to Strengthen Your Resume
Action verbs make your resume dynamic, measurable, and
ATS-friendly. They clearly show what you did — not just what you were assigned.
Powerful Resume Action Verbs
Use verbs like:
- Administered
- Analyzed
- Collected
- Completed
- Communicated
- Conducted
- Coordinated
- Created
- Designed
- Developed
- Directed
- Evaluated
- Increased
- Led
- Managed
- Observed
- Organized
- Prepared
- Researched
- Supervised
- Taught
- Trained
- Wrote
📌 Start each bullet
point with an action verb whenever possible.
Resume Formatting Rules (ATS Approved)
Formatting mistakes can cause ATS parsing errors, even if
your content is strong.
Page & Layout Rules
- Use 1-inch
margins (minimum 0.75 inches)
- Leave
white space between sections
- Keep
content aligned and consistent
- Avoid
unnecessary decoration
Headings & Fonts
- Section
headings: UPPERCASE + BOLD
- Subheadings:
Bold, Title Case
- Font
size: 10–14 points
- Approved
fonts:
- Arial
- Times
New Roman
- Helvetica
- Courier
- CG
Times
Colour & Paper Guidelines
(Important for PDF resumes)
- Paper
colour: white, off-white, ivory, or light gray
- Ink
colour: black or navy
- High
contrast improves readability and ATS accuracy
Length Matters: Resume vs CV
Resume:
- 1 page (entry-level or limited experience)
- 2 pages (experienced professionals)
CV:
- Length depends on qualifications
- Academic CVs may extend beyond 2 pages
- Fellowship or grant CVs are often shorter
📌 Length should
reflect relevance, not repetition.
Common Writing & Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spelling
or grammar errors
- Inconsistent
bullet points
- Mixed
fonts and sizes
- Overuse
of graphics or tables
- Long
paragraphs
- Unclear
section headings
These mistakes can cause instant rejection — by ATS or
recruiters.
🔗 LinkedIn Reference: Why is the Styling Important in Resume?
