Harvard Resume Template (Guide & Examples)

What is the Harvard resume format?

The Harvard resume format is slightly different from traditional resume formats that follow either a chronological, combination or functional configuration. 

A Harvard-format resume organizes your information according to importance and what you want to bring to the attention of a recruiter first, whether it is skills, experience or education.

Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success Undergraduate Resource Series features a “Resumes & Cover Letters” guide that includes a bullet-point resume template that is popular among job seekers.

The Harvard resume sample below follows Harvard’s bullet-point template. We’ve called out each section to indicate the crucial components of a compelling Harvard resume that wins interviews.

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How to structure a Harvard resume template

Each section of your Harvard University resume plays a vital role in painting a compelling picture of who you are and what you can bring to the table. 

By taking the time to carefully craft each section, you can make the most out of your resume and stand out from the competition. Let's explore how to structure your perfect Harvard resume.

Craft a powerful resume summary

A resume summary is your introduction to the employer. It should pack a strong punch as this is the first section recruiters and hiring managers read.

Take an elevator pitch approach and include your strongest, job-relevant information. 

Your Harvard resume’s summary statement should include the following:

• Years of experience
• Strongest job-relevant skills
• Important accomplishments

For example:

Highlight your education

In the Harvard University resume template featured above, the education section is featured prominently at the top of the resume. 

Showcase your Crimson education in your Harvard University resume by highlighting your academic achievements, including honors and GPA, if relevant.

Start with the university name. Below the name, write the degree, concentration and GPA (if it is above a 3.5). Keep in mind that your GPA is optional; however, it can help you stand out from other candidates. 

Under your school and degree, you should also include:

• Any honors, if applicable
• Job-relevant coursework
• Thesis
• Memberships to sports teams or clubs

For example:

Showcase your experience at Harvard

Highlight what you’ve learned throughout your Harvard academic career, research and internships in your work experience section. 

A Harvard resume work experience section focuses on the order of importance, unlike traditional resume formats, which list past roles in reverse-chronological order. 

Have considerable experience in a specific field? Use it as a section title on your Harvard resume template to draw recruiters' eyes to your extensive experience.

For example, if you had a prolific career at The Crimson and have collaborated with other newsrooms and publications, create a Journalism Experience section.

Remember to use strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments. When combined with your Harvard resume experience, action verbs will add more impact to your achievements. Combine these verbs with numbers to quantify your achievements.

For example:

Include optional sections

You do not have to limit the experience you detail on your Harvard resume to work. You can also include additional sections to showcase your extensive experience in a particular subject. For example, research experience, leadership experience or performing arts experience.

Format this experience section on your Harvard resume template like you would your work history by including quantifiable achievements to showcase what you accomplished and the skills used. 

For example:

Feature relevant skills and achievements

Your Harvard resume speaks to your abilities to perform a job and what you’ve achieved in your academic and professional careers.

The skills to put on a resume vary according to the position and employer. Always customize the format of your resume to the job.

It’s important to create a balanced list of hard skills and soft skills.

If you wish to highlight a specific set of skills, separate them into sections: technical skills, languages and laboratory.

For example:

Your work experience will also include information regarding your skills and how you used them to achieve your accomplishments.

The education section of your Harvard resume can also include your academic accomplishments. Don’t limit yourself to GPA and honors; you can also include:

• Test scores
• Fellowships
• Research
• Dean’s List
• Leadership positions in organizations
• Membership in sports teams or other organizations

Design tips for your Harvard resume template

The Harvard resume template is easy-to-read and professional. See what to put on a resume to determine what information to include in each section to stand out to hiring managers. Your resume must include the following:

You can also include additional categories, such as volunteer work, cultural experiences, leadership initiatives and extracurricular activities, to support your skills.

Once you’ve established the order of your sections, start building your Harvard resume.

Keep a consistent format throughout your Harvard resume:

Whether you’re a recent graduate or have a few years of experience under your belt, start with a summary statement.

Continue your Harvard resume with your education section, including your GPA, awards, accomplishments and, if applicable, capstone project.

Then, include your skills and work experience and move on to the additional optional sections, such as certifications or leadership activities. 

Create a cover letter to match your Harvard resume

A cover letter is a one-page document that introduces you to the employer and expands upon the information provided in your resume. 

We recommend using our Cover Letter Builder for job-specific content suggestions and professionally designed templates.   

This is your opportunity to connect on a personal level with an employer. Your Harvard resume and cover letter should each showcase the skills and qualifications that make you a great fit for the role. When writing a Harvard cover letter, follow the tips below: 

Our cover letter examples can help you learn more about creating a document with the right information to advance your career.

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Harvard resume examples

Browse the Harvard resume examples below to get a sense of what the final product looks like when you use the Harvard resume template to craft your resume.

Harvard resume tips