RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

OCS RESUMES &

COVER LETTERS

Undergraduate Resource Series

Office of Career Services | 54 Dunster Street

Harvard University | Faculty of Arts and Sciences

ocsrecep@fas.harvard.edu | www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu

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.

07/21

Office of Career Services

Harvard University Faculty

of Arts & Sciences

Cambridge, MA 02138

ocsrecep@fas.harvard.edu

www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu

A

Create a Strong Resume

resume is a concise, informative summary

of your abilities, education, and experience.

It should highlight your strongest assets and skills,

and differentiate you from other candidates seek–

ing similar positions. Although it alone will not get

you a job or internship, a good resume is an impor–

tant element toward obtaining an interview.

Tailor your resume to the type of position

you are seeking. This doesn’t mean that all of

your experiences must relate directly, but your

resume should reflect the kind of skills the

employer would value.

RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS

RESUME TIPS

RESUME LANGUAGE SHOULD BE:

• Specific rather than general

• Active rather than passive

TOP 6 RESUME MISTAKES:

1. Spelling and grammar errors

2. Missing email and phone information

3. Using passive language instead of “action” words

4. Not well organized, concise, or easy to skim

GETTING STARTED

• Draft a resume using one of the templates on the OCS website.

• Attend a Resume Workshop to learn the nuts and bolts of getting

started. See the OCS website for dates.

• View the OCS Recorded Resume Webinar available on our website.

• Get advice via drop–ins. Monday–Friday, 1:00–4:00pm – ask quick

career–related questions and have an adviser review your resume.

• Look for industry specific resume review clinics, listed on the

Employer and Graduate School Calendar.