Three core writing guidelines to follow when writing a résumé are:

  1. Be clear and concise
    • Use short bullet points, not long paragraphs.
 * Focus each line on one clear idea or achievement, using simple, direct language that is easy to skim.
  1. Use strong, consistent formatting and style
    • Keep the document organized with consistent fonts, bullet styles, tenses, and punctuation so it looks polished and professional.
 * Aim for an easily readable layout (standard font, logical headings, reverse-chronological order) so employers can quickly find key information.
  1. Focus on accomplishments and results
    • Emphasize what you achieved, not just what you were responsible for, and avoid copying job descriptions.
 * Wherever possible, quantify your impact with numbers or specific outcomes to show concrete value.

Quick Scoop

When people ask, “what are the three writing guidelines to follow when writing a résumé?” they usually need a simple, repeatable checklist they can apply to any job application. Below is a slightly more detailed, practical breakdown in that spirit.

1. Be clear and concise

  • Use brief bullet points rather than dense paragraphs so hiring managers can scan quickly.
  • Keep each bullet to one or two lines and avoid filler words that don’t change the meaning.
  • Prefer straightforward wording over buzzwords; clarity beats cleverness in résumés.

Think of every bullet as a headline for something you achieved, not a diary entry of everything you did.

2. Keep formatting clean and consistent

  • Use a simple, professional font and consistent sizes for headings and body text.
  • Maintain consistency in tense (past for previous roles, present for current role), punctuation, and bullet style across the entire document.
  • Organize sections logically (contact info, summary, experience, education, skills) and list experience in reverse chronological order.

If a recruiter can find your job titles and dates in a few seconds, your formatting is doing its job.

3. Highlight accomplishments, not just duties

  • Write bullets that show results (improved, increased, reduced, launched) rather than only listing tasks.
  • Where possible, include numbers, percentages, or specific outcomes to demonstrate impact.
  • Avoid simply copying the job description; instead, emphasize what you personally contributed.

Imagine a busy recruiter asking “So what? ” after every bullet; if you can’t answer that, rewrite it to show the result.

TL;DR:
Be clear and concise, keep the formatting clean and consistent, and focus on measurable accomplishments rather than generic responsibilities.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.