Harvard Resume Template (How to Use + Example Resumes)

The Harvard resume is a free resume template that’s clean, results-focused, and formatted to pass the applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to screen job applications.

Below is a free Harvard resume template that you can download or edit in Google Docs.

Download This Free Template

The template follows the guidelines set by Harvard’s Career Services department, and uses the standard resume format most applicants in the US use to apply for jobs.

Your download includes an editable resume template plus a completed Harvard-style example you can use for reference.

Tips for using this Harvard resume template

The Harvard resume template is easy to adapt to any experience level or job type — especially once you understand how to write a resume effectively.

Use the tips below to adjust the template so it highlights your strengths clearly:

Write Harvard-style resume bullet points

Harvard-style resumes use a specific bullet point format.

This format focuses on achievements over responsibilities, putting leadership, creativity, and decision making at the center of each accomplishment.

If you’re not sure what to write, make a list of your main responsibilities and projects. Then ask yourself these 5 Ws to identify achievements for your resume:

1. When did I succeed in this area?
2. What action did I take to succeed?
3. Who benefited from my actions and to what extent?
4. Where did my actions lead?
5. Why is this experience useful for my target job?

You can use the free ATS bullet point generator below to quickly create powerful achievement-oriented bullet points. Just enter your previous job title:

Use action verbs

Action verbs are crucial to Harvard-style resume writing. These dynamic words place you at the center of each achievement, helping you sound confident and professional.

Start each bullet point with an action verb to make your resume engaging. Avoid personal pronouns (write “Demonstrated skills,” not “I demonstrated skills”).

Here is a quick table of action verbs you can use to upgrade your bullet points:

Avoid relying too heavily on the same action verb. Occasional repetition is okay, but overusing one or two verbs quickly makes your resume tedious and less professional.

Example resumes in the Harvard format

Looking at sample resumes will help you adapt your template and highlight your most relevant qualifications to employers.

Here are three examples showing how to apply the Harvard format at different stages of your career. You can download these resumes as templates to help guide you in writing your own.

Recent-graduate resume

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This resume is ideal if you don’t have much experience to add to your graduate resume. The applicant uses the Harvard format to emphasize their education and extracurricular achievements.

Even though they’ve only had one full-time job, they take full advantage of the template’s achievement-focused structure to highlight their soft skills and strong foundation in business management.

Executive-level Harvard resume

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Good executive resumes emphasize leadership and a strategic outlook.

This applicant combines the Harvard template’s experience and leadership sections to demonstrate career growth and management skills.

They also add a professional memberships section to underscore their prominence and involvement in their field.

The clean, flexible design of this template makes it easy to add additional sections, ensuring the resume stands out in competitive fields. With no reliance on tables or complex graphic design, the format remains ATS-friendly and adaptable to your needs.

Harvard Business School applicant

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Unlike academically focused college resumes, applications to Harvard Business School emphasize work experience. Admissions committees look for candidates with meaningful full-time work experience and a clear long-term professional vision.

If you’re applying to a business school program, emphasize the impact of your achievements. Additionally, make sure your resume summary clearly communicates your motivation for pursuing the degree and how it aligns with your career goals.

Academic CV

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The Harvard template is suitable for academic jobs as long as you know what to include in a CV.

In the example above, the applicant adds a publications section and separates their experience into research and teaching sections. They’ve also added references, which are commonly required for university and research-focused positions. If you’re applying for a non-academic position, leave references off your resume.

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