Harvard’s career resources offer a specific, widely-cited framework for resumes and cover letters. This guide answers what that framework is, how to apply it, and what to avoid, based on the official advice published by Harvard University’s Office of Career Services.
What the Harvard Guide Actually Says
The Harvard resume and cover letter guide is a set of publicly available documents from Harvard’s Office of Career Services (OCS) and Harvard Law School’s Office of Career Services. It is not a single secret formula but a collection of best practices, templates, and examples used by Harvard students. The core advice is straightforward: a resume is a concise, accomplishment-oriented summary of your experience, and a cover letter is a tailored narrative that connects your background to a specific role.
Key principles from the guide include:
- One page for most industries – Harvard recommends a one-page resume for undergrads and most master’s programs; PhDs and experienced professionals may use two pages.
- Reverse chronological order – list experience from most recent to oldest, with clear dates.
- Action verbs and quantifiable results – use past-tense verbs like “managed,” “increased,” or “launched,” and include numbers where possible (e.g., “increased engagement by 20%”).
- No personal information – omit age, photo, marital status, or hobbies unless they are directly relevant.
- Cover letters are three to four paragraphs – opening with the role and why you’re interested, a body that connects your experience to the role’s requirements, and a closing that thanks the reader and suggests next steps.
Resume Structure and Formatting
The Harvard guide recommends a clean, scannable layout. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, 10–12 point size. Margins should be 0.5 to 1 inch. Avoid tables, columns, or graphics that could confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Typical sections in order:
- Contact Information – name, phone, email, LinkedIn URL (optional), and location.
- Education – degree, school, graduation date, and relevant coursework or honors.
- Experience – internships, jobs, research, or volunteer roles with bullet points.
- Leadership & Activities – clubs, sports, or community involvement.
- Skills – languages, technical skills, certifications.
The guide emphasizes that each bullet should start with an action verb and describe a result, not just a duty. For example, instead of “Responsible for social media,” write “Managed a 5-person social media team, increasing follower growth by 30% in six months.”
Cover Letter Structure and Tone
Harvard’s cover letter advice is similarly structured. The letter should be addressed to a specific person if possible. If not, use “Dear Hiring Manager.” The body should not repeat your resume verbatim; instead, it should tell a story that shows why you fit the role and the organization.
A standard Harvard-style cover letter has:
- Opening paragraph – state the position and where you found it, and a one-sentence summary of why you’re a strong fit.
- Second paragraph – highlight one or two relevant experiences and their outcomes.
- Third paragraph – demonstrate knowledge of the organization and connect your values to theirs.
- Closing paragraph – thank the reader, mention that your resume is attached, and express eagerness to discuss further.
How to Choose Between a Resume and a CV
The Harvard guide clarifies that a CV (curriculum vitae) is a longer, comprehensive academic document, while a resume is a shorter, targeted professional summary. In the US, a resume is used for most non-academic jobs; a CV is used for academic, research, or medical positions. Harvard’s OCS provides separate templates for each. For PhD students applying to academic jobs, the CV may include publications, presentations, and teaching experience, and can be 2–3 pages or more. For industry roles, the resume is typically one page.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that a Harvard resume must look a certain way or include a photo. In fact, the guide explicitly advises against photos and personal details. Another common mistake is using a generic resume for every application. Harvard emphasizes tailoring each resume and cover letter to the job description. Also, many applicants overuse buzzwords like “team player” or “hardworking” without evidence. The guide recommends showing these qualities through concrete achievements instead.
How to Tailor Your Application to a Job
Harvard’s guide suggests a simple method: read the job description, list the top 5–7 required skills, and then map your experiences to those skills. For each skill, write a bullet point that demonstrates it. For the cover letter, use the same keywords from the job description to show alignment. For example, if the job asks for “project management,” your cover letter might say, “In my internship at XYZ, I managed a project from planning to delivery, coordinating three team members and meeting all deadlines.”
Template and Sample
Below is a generic template based on the Harvard style. Use it as a starting point, but always adapt to the specific role.
Resume Template
| Name | _________________________ |
| Phone | _________________________ |
| _________________________ | |
| _________________________ |
Education
Degree, Major, University, Graduation Date
_________________________
Experience
Job Title, Company, Dates
• Action verb + result
• _________________________
• _________________________
Leadership
Role, Organization, Dates
• _________________________
Skills
• _________________________
Sample (fictional):
Alex Johnson, 555-123-4567, alex.johnson@email.com
Education: B.A. in Economics, State University, May 2025
Experience: Marketing Intern, ABC Corp, Summer 2024
• Increased social media engagement by 25% through targeted campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Harvard require a specific resume format?
No. The guide provides recommendations, not mandates. The key is clarity, conciseness, and relevance to the job.
Can a resume be two pages?
Yes, but only if you have significant experience. For most students and recent grads, one page is best.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
No. In the US, photos are not standard and may lead to bias. Harvard explicitly advises against it.
How long should a cover letter be?
One page, around 300–400 words. Keep it to three or four paragraphs.
What if I don’t have much experience?
Focus on coursework, projects, volunteer work, and leadership in clubs. Frame these as relevant experience.
Is it okay to use a template from the internet?
Yes, but customize it. Hiring managers can spot generic templates, and ATS may reject complex layouts.
Cost and Accessibility
Harvard’s resume and cover letter guides are freely available on their public career services websites. You do not need to be a Harvard student to access many of these resources. They are often used by other universities and career advisors as a benchmark. There is no cost to download the PDFs or view the online guides.
Alternatives to the Harvard Guide
If you prefer a different approach, consider guides from other universities like Stanford, MIT, or the University of California system. Professional organizations like the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) also offer standards. The key is to pick a style that is clean, ATS-friendly, and tailored to your industry. For creative fields, you might use a more visual resume, but for most corporate and nonprofit roles, the Harvard style is a safe default.