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OCSRESUMES &COVER LETTERSUndergraduate Resource SeriesOffice of Career Services 54 Dunster StreetHarvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciencesocsrecep@fas.harvard.edu www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu
2020 President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeAll rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express writtenpermission of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts & Sciences Office of Career Services.07/20Office of Career ServicesHarvard University Facultyof Arts & SciencesCambridge, MA du
RESUMES A ND COVER LE TTE R SCreate a Strong ResumeAresume is a concise, informative summaryof your abilities, education, and experience.It should highlight your strongest assets and skills,and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions. Although it alone will not getyou a job or internship, a good resume is an important element toward obtaining an interview.Tailor your resume to the type of positionyou are seeking. This doesn’t mean that all ofyour experiences must relate directly, but yourresume should reflect the kind of skills theemployer would value.GETTING STARTED RESUME TIPSRESUME LANGUAGE SHOULD BE: Specific rather than general Active rather than passive Written to express not impress Articulate rather than “flowery” Fact-based (quantify and qualify) Written for people who scan quicklyDON’T: Use personal pronouns (such as I) Abbreviate Use a narrative style Use slang or colloquialisms Include a picture Include age or gender List references Start each line with a dateDraft a resume using one of the templates on the OCS website.Attend a Resume Workshop to learn the nuts and bolts of gettingstarted. See the OCS website for dates.View the OCS Online Resume Tutorial.Get advice via drop-ins. Monday-Friday, 1:00-4:00pm - ask quickcareer-related questions and have an adviser review your resume.Look for industry specific resume review clinics, listed on theEmployer and Graduate School Calendar.TOP 6 RESUME MISTAKES:1. Spelling and grammar errors2. Missing email and phone information3. Using passive language instead of “action” words4. Not well organized, concise, or easy to skim5. Not demonstrating results6. Too longDO: Be consistent in format and content Make it easy to read and follow, balancing whitespace Use consistent spacing, underlining, italics, bold,and capitalization for emphasis List headings (such as Experience) in order ofimportance Within headings, list information in reverse chronological order (most recent first) Avoid information gaps such as a missing summer Be sure that your formatting will translate properlyif converted to a .pdfPLAN TO WORK INTERNATIONALLY?Resume guidelines can vary from country to country. See ourinternational resources at ocs.fas.harvard.edu/online-tools
RE SU ME S A N D C OV ER L ETTERSAction Verbs for your ResumeLEADERSHIPAccomplished AchievedAdministered ed Set alized edUtilizedValidatedVerified
Always use your @college emailaccount and check it frequently, evenif you have enabled forwarding.RESUMES A ND COVER LE TTE R SResume SampleIf an employer asks for your SAT/ACT scores or GPA, include inyour Education section.Firstname Lastname17 Main Street Los Angeles, CA 92720 youremail@college.harvard.edu (714) 558-9857EducationHARVARD UNIVERSITYCambridge, MAA.B. Honors degree in History. GPA 3.73.May 2021Relevant Coursework: International Political Economics and the European Community.Commit 25 hours per week to Harvard Varsity Field Hockey Program.UNIVERSITY OF LONDONStudy abroad coursework in European History and Econometrics.If including coursework,LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOLbe sure it’srelevanttothepositionGraduated with high honors. SAT I: M:780 V:760.to whichyou’reapplying.National Honor Society. Member of Varsity Field Hockey Team.London, UKMay - August 2019Los Angeles, CAJune 2017ExperienceUse different verbs.PEPSI-COLA NORTH AMERICA BEVERAGESRemoteMarketing Analyst InternMay - August 2020Examined profitability of foreign market for new fruit drink using analysis of comparable brands. Managed focus groupsand consumer surveys gathering over 500 data points. Created ideas for niche marketing campaigns including use ofsocial networks and viral marketing. Presented findings to senior managers using quantitative analysis and creative visualsin combined PowerPoint presentation.THOMAS WILCK ASSOCIATESLondon, UKAssistant Account ExecutiveMay - August 2019Researched and assembled requests for proposals for medium-sized public relations and communications firm. Activelyparticipated in staff meetings and brainstorming sessions. Generated correspondence with top executive officers.Note that relevant interests and skills can beTECH HILLSdemonstrated through campus and volunteerTechnology Internactivities as well as through previous employment.Implemented new web site, including back end database storage system and dynamic web pages.Laguna Hills, CAMay - August 2018LeadershipHARVARD UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN BUSINESS (WIB)Cambridge, MAExecutive Committee MemberFebruary 2018 - PresentOrganized marketing and advertising campaign to increase membership. Coordinated business conference and networkingreception for 50 business professionals and 500 students.HARVARD COLLEGE MARATHON CHALLENGECambridge, MATraining Program DirectorJanuary - May 2018Developed training program for 25 charity runners. Raised over 25,000 to support Phillips Brooks House Associationand The Cambridge Food Project.Skills & InterestsTechnical: Microsoft Excel and Access, Stata, SQL, Java and HTML.Language: Fluent French and Conversational Spanish.Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, Bhangra dance, and European films.Be consistent presenting data. Useeither numerals or words but not both.
RESUMES A ND COVER LE TTE R SOptional category examplesYou may wish to adopt these categories if relevant to your experience or the opportunity you are applying for. If you havesignificant experience in a specialized category, consider using that as your primary “Experience” section. Both paragraphand bulleted formats are options, but be consistent with the formatting within your resume. Students in creative andperforming arts can develop resumes, portfolios, and websites to support their specific job search. OCS advisers can help!Leadership ExperienceHARVARD SOCIETY OF BLACK SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERSCambridge, MAPresidentSeptember 2019 - May 2020Provided strategic direction and developed annual goals for this 90 member student group. Organized board and generalmeetings. Oversaw existing activities, programs, and collaborations with other student organizations. Represented group inBlack Community Leaders Organization.HARVARD COMPUTER SOCIETYCambridge, MAMembership Coordinator / Board MemberJanuary - May 2019Organized marketing and advertising campaign, resulting in 20% increase in membership. Coordinated tech conference andnetworking reception for 30 professionals and 75 students. Upgraded and enhanced website.Public Service ExperienceCAMBRIDGE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICESCambridge, MAInternSeptember 2018 – Present Conduct site visits to local social service agencies to assist in evaluating effectiveness of service delivery. Observeexperienced counselors and social workers in private settings with clients. Analyze data to determine trends in service usage.PHILLIPS BROOKS HOUSE ASSOCIATIONDorchester, MASummer Urban Program Senior CounselorJune – August 2019 Organized activities at summer camp encouraging academic achievement among inner city and under-resourcedchildren. Managed 500 activities budget. Produced and implemented curriculum for girls ages 11-12 exposing campers to female leaders in community,community service, and health education.Technical SkillsProgramming: C, C , C#, SQL, R, Perl, Python, MATLAB, JavaScript, OCaml.Operating Systems: Windows, MAC OS, and Linux.Web Design: Designed www.abc.com, www.xyz.comResearch ExperienceSTANFORD NANOTECH RESEARCH CENTERPalo Alto, CAResearch InternJune – August 2019Project: Microfabrication of Thin-film Heaters to Simulate Hotspots. Fabricated devices for testing effectiveness of nanoscale patch used to cool down hotspots on microprocessors. Utilized cleanroom facilities to create devices with hotspot heater and temperature sensors to simulate heat generation.Performing Arts ExperienceMAINLY JAZZ DANCE COMPANYCambridge, MADancer / ChoreographerOctober 2018 – PresentPerform traditional jazz, lyrical, hip hop, funk, and modern dance at performances open to public throughout the year. Teachdance routines weekly to 20 students at local elementary school.ActivitiesLOWELL HOUSE COMMITTEEMember. Collaborate on social and community service activities.MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITALHospital Volunteer. Commit 5 hours per week greeting patients.Cambridge, MASeptember 2018 – PresentBoston, MAJanuary – May 2019
R E S U MES AND C OV ER L ETTERSResume Template I (with bullet points)Firstname LastnameHome Street Address City, State Zip youremail@college.harvard.edu phone numberEducationHARVARD UNIVERSITYDegree, Concentration. GPA [Note: Optional]Thesis [Note: Optional]Relevant Coursework: [Note: Optional. Awards and honors can also be listed here.]STUDY ABROAD [Note: If Applicable]Study abroad coursework in .Cambridge, MAGraduation DateCity, CountryMonth Year – Month YearNAME OF HIGH SCHOOL[Note: May include GPA, SAT/ACT scores, or academic honors an employer may want to know]City, StateGraduation DateExperienceCity, State (orCity,Remote)ORGANIZATIONStatePosition TitleMonth Year – Month Year Beginning with your most recent position, describe your experience, skills, and resulting outcomes in bullet orparagraph form. Begin each line with an action verb and include details that will help the reader understand your accomplishments,skills, knowledge, abilities, or achievements. Quantify where possible. Do not use personal pronouns; each line should be a phrase rather than a full sentence.ORGANIZATIONCity, StatePosition TitleMonth Year – Month Year With your next-most recent position, describe your experience, skills, and resulting outcomes in bullet orparagraph form. Begin each line with an action verb and include details that will help the reader understand your accomplishments,skills, knowledge, abilities, or achievements. Quantify where possible. Do not use personal pronouns; each line should be a phrase rather than a full sentence.Leadership & ActivitiesORGANIZATIONCity, StateRoleMonth Year – Month Year This section can be formatted similarly to the Experience section, or you can omit descriptions for activities. If this section is more relevant to the opportunity you are applying for, consider moving this above yourExperience section.Skills & Interests [Note: Optional]Technical: List computer software and programming languagesLanguage: List foreign languages and your level of fluencyLaboratory: List scientific / research lab techniques or tools [If Applicable]Interests: List activities you enjoy that may spark interview conversation
RESUMES A ND COVER LE TTE R STo help you design a strong resume, OCS offers formatted templates. On the OCS website,search “templates” and click on OCS Guides and Templates. Choose bulleted or paragraphstyle, fill in your information, and then bring your draft to drop-ins for editing and feedback.Resume Template II (paragraph format)Firstname LastnameHome Street Address City, State Zip youremail@college.harvard.edu phone numberEducationHARVARD UNIVERSITYCambridge, MADegree, Concentration. GPA [Note: Optional]Graduation DateRelevant Coursework or Thesis: [Not
Resume Template I (with bullet points) RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS Firstname Lastname Home Street Address City, State Zip youremail@college.harvard.edu phone number Education HARVARD UNIVERSITY Cambridge, MA Degree, Concentration. GPA [Note: Optional] Graduation Date Thesis [Note: Optional] Relevant Coursework: [Note: Optional. Awards and honors can also be listed here.]
