How to Use the Harvard Resume Template (Guide and Examples)

A well-crafted Harvard resume can capture the attention of employers and help you land more interviews.

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What is the Harvard resume format?

The Harvard resume format is a resume template provided by Harvard University to help students and alumni demonstrate their skills, experience, and achievements to potential employers.

The hallmark of a Harvard resume is the extensive use of accomplishment statements backed with quantified results. Harvard resumes tend to be a bit longer than the average resume to allow you to elaborate on your achievements.

Also, unlike most other resume formats, the Harvard template generally puts the education section above the work experience section and expands upon educational achievements in a bulleted list, like this:

Harvard resumes are great for showcasing your skills. However, the original design provided by Harvard is a bit boring, so here’s our clean, modern take on the classic Harvard resume format:

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When should you use the Harvard resume template?

You should use the Harvard resume template when you’re applying to highly formal jobs that put an emphasis on your achievements.

For example, the Harvard resume template would be helpful if you’re applying to any of the following roles:

• Management and executive
• Consultants
• Academic positions
• Investment banking and finance
• Law and legal
• Technical and engineering

While the Harvard resume format is appropriate for many careers, it’s not appropriate for applying to more creative roles because of its highly formal design.

For example, if you’re applying to any of the following types of jobs, you probably won’t benefit from using the Harvard resume:

• Creative positions (such as graphic design)
• Entry-level jobs
• Roles that don’t require quantifiable achievements

How to write a Harvard resume (tips and examples)

The Harvard format differs slightly from other common resume formats, so it’s important to know how to use it effectively.

Lead with a strong summary

The resume summary is one of the most important parts of a Harvard resume. A strong summary should highlight your value proposition as a candidate.

Include your professional title, years of experience, key skills, areas of expertise, and professional goals. For example:

Results-driven marketing manager with 5+ years of experience growing brand awareness and leading successful campaigns. Seeking to leverage analytical skills and creative thinking to drive marketing efforts at [Company Name].

Focus on achievements and quantifiable results

Each description in your work experience section should demonstrate your major contributions and achievements with specific numbers and results whenever possible. Here’s an example:

Use descriptive action verbs

The Harvard resume format places heavy emphasis on using action verbs that add energy and momentum to your bullet points.

Action verbs help illustrate what you achieved in your previous roles in an engaging way. Rather than just listing job duties, action words can be used to:

• Demonstrate tangible skills, contributions and results
• Showcase how your skills directly fit the employer’s requirements
• Paint a clearer picture of your responsibilities in past roles
• Illustrate career progression or advancement

Try using some of the following action words to craft compelling, results-focused bullet points:

Incorporate relevant skills

The skills section of your resume should highlight both your technical expertise and soft skills.

Your specific list of skills will depend on your career field, but here are some basic categories:

• Computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, etc.)
• Language skills
• Industry-specific abilities
• Soft skills (leadership, communication, problem-solving, etc.)

Only include skills that align with the role you’re applying for. List 6-8 skills in bullet point format, like this:

Add other sections relevant to the role

You should also create additional sections depending on the role you’re applying for. Choose extra sections that strengthen your candidacy the most.

Additional resume sections for graduate school or academia

If you’re applying for graduate school or roles in academia, you could include:

• Honors & scholarships
• Relevant coursework
• Publications
• Leadership experience
• Activities

Here’s an example of how to include publications on your Harvard resume:

Additional resume sections for other roles

If you’re applying for professional roles, you could highlight your:

• Professional awards
• Certifications
• Community service or volunteering experience

For example: