Extension School
Harvard Resumes and Cover Letters
OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES
Harvard University · Faculty of Arts and Sciences
www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu
CAREER AND ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER
Harvard Extension School
www.extension.harvard.edu/resources/career-academic-resource-center
RESUMES
and
COVER LETTERS
An Extension School Resource
,© 2020 President and Fellows of Harvard College
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written
permission of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts & Sciences Office of Career Services.
7/20
Office of Career Services
Harvard University Faculty
of Arts & Sciences
Cambridge, MA 02138
www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu
, RESUMES A ND COVER LE TTE R S
Create a Strong Resume
A resume is a brief, informative summary
of your abilities, education, and experi-
ence. It should highlight your strongest assets
and skills, and differentiate you from other can-
NEED HELP?
didates seeking similar positions. Although it
alone will not get you a job or internship, a good
resume is an important element toward obtain-
• CARC/OCS Resume and Cover Letter Webinar. Learn the nuts
ing an interview. and bolts of getting started. See the CARC or OCS websites for dates.
• HES Call-ins. First Monday of the month, Sep-May, 1:00-3:45pm
Tailor your resume to the type of position you (15 minutes). Phone (617-496-8946) or Skype (linda.spencer.
are seeking. This does not mean that all of at.ocs) during call-in hours only. Available to currently registered
your experience must relate directly, but your Extension School students and alumni only.
resume should reflect the kind of skills the • Career Advising Appointment. Matriculated degree students and
employer would value. alumni only. Please set up a 30-minute appointment via Crimson
Careers, offered year-round.
RESUME TIPS TOP 5 RESUME MISTAKES:
1. Spelling and grammar errors
RESUME LANGUAGE SHOULD BE: 2. Missing email and phone information
• Specific rather than general 3. Using passive language instead of “action” words
• Active rather than passive 4. Not well organized, concise, or easy to skim
• Written to express not impress 5. Too long
• Articulate rather than “flowery”
• Fact-based (quantify and qualify) DO:
• Written for people who scan quickly • Be consistent in format and content
• Make it easy to read and follow, balancing white
DON’T: space
• Use personal pronouns (such as I) • Use consistent spacing, underlining, italics, bold,
• Abbreviate and capitalization for emphasis
• Use a narrative style • List headings (such as Experience) in order of
• Number or letter categories importance
• Use slang or colloquialisms • Within headings, list information in reverse chron-
• Include a picture ological order (most recent first)
• Include age or sex • Avoid information gaps such as a missing summer
• List references • Be sure that your formatting translated properly if
• Start each line with a date converted to a .pdf
PLAN TO WORK INTERNATIONALLY?
Resume guidelines can vary from country to country.
Harvard Resumes and Cover Letters
OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES
Harvard University · Faculty of Arts and Sciences
www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu
CAREER AND ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER
Harvard Extension School
www.extension.harvard.edu/resources/career-academic-resource-center
RESUMES
and
COVER LETTERS
An Extension School Resource
,© 2020 President and Fellows of Harvard College
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written
permission of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts & Sciences Office of Career Services.
7/20
Office of Career Services
Harvard University Faculty
of Arts & Sciences
Cambridge, MA 02138
www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu
, RESUMES A ND COVER LE TTE R S
Create a Strong Resume
A resume is a brief, informative summary
of your abilities, education, and experi-
ence. It should highlight your strongest assets
and skills, and differentiate you from other can-
NEED HELP?
didates seeking similar positions. Although it
alone will not get you a job or internship, a good
resume is an important element toward obtain-
• CARC/OCS Resume and Cover Letter Webinar. Learn the nuts
ing an interview. and bolts of getting started. See the CARC or OCS websites for dates.
• HES Call-ins. First Monday of the month, Sep-May, 1:00-3:45pm
Tailor your resume to the type of position you (15 minutes). Phone (617-496-8946) or Skype (linda.spencer.
are seeking. This does not mean that all of at.ocs) during call-in hours only. Available to currently registered
your experience must relate directly, but your Extension School students and alumni only.
resume should reflect the kind of skills the • Career Advising Appointment. Matriculated degree students and
employer would value. alumni only. Please set up a 30-minute appointment via Crimson
Careers, offered year-round.
RESUME TIPS TOP 5 RESUME MISTAKES:
1. Spelling and grammar errors
RESUME LANGUAGE SHOULD BE: 2. Missing email and phone information
• Specific rather than general 3. Using passive language instead of “action” words
• Active rather than passive 4. Not well organized, concise, or easy to skim
• Written to express not impress 5. Too long
• Articulate rather than “flowery”
• Fact-based (quantify and qualify) DO:
• Written for people who scan quickly • Be consistent in format and content
• Make it easy to read and follow, balancing white
DON’T: space
• Use personal pronouns (such as I) • Use consistent spacing, underlining, italics, bold,
• Abbreviate and capitalization for emphasis
• Use a narrative style • List headings (such as Experience) in order of
• Number or letter categories importance
• Use slang or colloquialisms • Within headings, list information in reverse chron-
• Include a picture ological order (most recent first)
• Include age or sex • Avoid information gaps such as a missing summer
• List references • Be sure that your formatting translated properly if
• Start each line with a date converted to a .pdf
PLAN TO WORK INTERNATIONALLY?
Resume guidelines can vary from country to country.
