Your resume is your key to unlocking job opportunities.
This document showcases your skills, experiences, and accomplishments to potential employers. Using the right resume-building tips will give you an edge over your competition.
There are a number of Harvard-approved career advice that can enhance your career prospects. These tips are based on research and have been proven successful, and can assist you in developing a powerful resume that will attract employers and institutions of your choice.
Applying to top-tier universities requires applicants to have the perfect resume. The resume is the first document reviewed and is thus a major factor in determining whether you are accepted into a university.
Follow these top Harvard resume tips for job seekers to learn how to craft an impeccable resume:
- Make your resume specific to the job requirements
- Focus on being brief and to the point
- Highlight achievements rather than just duties
- Use an impactful tone combined with action verbs
Let us discuss these in detail step-by-step:
Tailor Your Resume to a Specific Job
As per one of TheLadders's studies, customized resumes are 40% more likely to be discovered by recruiters.
It is critical to customize your resume to the position's criteria. This makes it easier for you to draw the recruiter’s attention to your relevant experiences and talents that demonstrates why you are an ideal candidate.
If the position asks for project management experience, you can describe your prior experience managing a team or delivering projects on schedule.
Admissions officers seek applicants who display active participation in their chosen field. This is why it is important that you include relevant work experience or internships and volunteer activities. Make sure to highlight any awards or recognition you have received for your work.
Furthermore, if you have any publications or presentations related to your field, make sure to include them on your resume. All of this will demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field.
The Components of a Professional Harvard Resume Template
Hiration Sample Template Matching Harvard Resume Template
Keep Your Resume Short and Concise
Extensive resumes can overwhelm recruiters, thus making it easier for them to miss crucial information. The average recruiter only looks at resumes for 6 seconds, according to a TopResume survey.
Your resume must be succinct and to the point, showcasing only the most important details. You can skip any irrelevant information, such as jobs you held in your early career that have nothing to do with the position you're applying for.
Craft a Compelling Summary Statement
The summary statement should be the first section of your resume providing a brief overview of your background and experience.
This section should highlight your accomplishments and explain why you are the ideal candidate for the job. Keep it short, concise, and to the point, and avoid using extravagant phrases or idioms. Make sure to focus on clear and engaging language.
Make sure to include relevant keywords that are related to the job you are applying for. This will help your resume stand out to potential employers and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
Also read: How to create a freshers resume summary?
Make Your Resume Aesthetically Pleasing
Your resume should be aesthetically appealing to better capture the attention of the admissions officers. The key elements of a Harvard resume are clear fonts that are easy to read and a simple color palette.
You can make use of line spacing strategically to draw attention to certain sections of your resume. The overall look and feel should be professional yet engaging.
Keep in mind these Harvard resume strategies when selecting a font. Go for a more creative font when applying for a design position and choose a traditional font for a corporate job.
Additionally, consider using a font size that is easy to read. And before you save your resume’s final draft, make sure to proofread it for any grammatical or spelling errors, that can make a world of difference in the overall evaluation.
Also read: How to make a simple resume format?
Source: Harvard Undergrad Resumes & Cover Letters
Highlight Accomplishments, Not Just Duties
You can distinguish yourself from other applicants by emphasizing your accomplishments rather than just your job responsibilities.
A Harvard Business Review study found that resumes that emphasize accomplishments are more likely to get the attention of hiring managers. Therefore, focus on your accomplishments in each capacity rather than just describing your past duties.
For instance, you may write "led a team of 15+ employees to raise sales by 25%" instead of "managed a team." This indicates your leadership abilities and the influence you had in your prior position.
Include any relevant awards or certifications that you possess. This will demonstrate that your skills have been acknowledged in the past and you are always willing to learn more.
Also, include any voluntary work or extracurricular activities that shows your dedication to the profession.
Also read: How to convey resume achievements to potential employers?
Use Action Verbs and Powerful Language
The language you choose significantly influences how recruiters perceive your resume.
According to a TopResume study, using strong action verbs can improve your chances of being noticed. Action verbs aid in developing an active voice, which increases the impact and engagement of your resume.
For instance, you may use "managed" in place of "responsible for." This minor modification can have a significant impact on how recruiters view your resume.
When writing your resume, it is important to make sure it is easily readable. Use short phrases, bullet points, and simple language to highlight your qualifications and skills.
Additionally, use bold font or italics to draw attention to certain points and create visual interest.
Check out this Harvard resume pdf, which is a detailed resume guide by the Office for Alumni Affairs & Career Advancement.
Also read: What are some of the most impactful action verbs and power verbs?
Key Takeaways
- Make sure to create a targeted resume that matches the requirements of the job posting
- Keep your resume concise and to the point by personalizing your professional summary and choosing the appropriate format and font style
- Highlight any relevant certifications or awards instead of simply mentioning your past job duties
- Make use of simple and relatable language along with action verbs and keywords relevant to the job and industry
Need assistance with making your Harvard resume? Check out Hiration’s Career Platform which offers 24x7 chat support. You can also write to us at support@hiration.com if you have any queries.
