HES: CREATE IMPACTFUL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS

A resume is a brief, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience relevant to the role you are applying for. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions. Although it alone won’t get you a job or internship, a good resume is an important factor in obtaining an interview. Tailor your resume to the type of position you’re seeking. This doesn’t mean that all of your experiences must relate directly, but your resume should reflect the skills, experience, and impact the specific employer would value.

RESUME LANGUAGE SHOULD BE:

• Specific rather than general
• Active rather than passive
• Focused on communicating your strengths
• Clear and direct, not embellished
• Fact-based (quantify and qualify when possible)
• Easy to scan quickly

TOP FIVE RESUME MISTAKES:

1. Failing to tailor the resume to the position or industry
2. Spelling and grammar errors
3. Missing contact information
4. Using passive language instead of action verbs
5. Lacking organization, conciseness, or skimmability
6. Not demonstrating results

DON’T:

• Use personal pronouns (such as “I”)
• Abbreviate (unless industry-standard)
• Use a narrative style
• Use slang or colloquialisms
• Include a photo
• Include age or gender
• List references (unless specifically requested)
• Start each line with a date
• Fail to consider both human readers and applicant tracking systems (see the Resume and Cover Letter webinar recording)

DO:

• Tailor content to each position you apply for
• Convey your impact and achievements
• Be consistent in format and content
• Ensure your resume is easy to read and follow, balancing text with white space
• Use consistent spacing, italics, bold, and capitalization for emphasis
• List headings (such as Experience) in order of importance for the specific role
• List information within sections in reverse chronological order (most recent first)
• Enure that your formatting will translate properly if converted to .pdf
• Know your material inside and out, ensuring accuracy

Resume guidelines can vary from country to country. See our international resources, including Interstride.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SCHOOL
Master of Liberal Arts (ALM), Data Science 

Cambridge, MA
February 20XX

HARVARD UNIVERSITY Extension School, Cambridge, MA
ALM, Global Development Practice
Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Cities and Communities

February 20XX

HARVARD UNIVERSITY Extension School
Preadmission coursework toward Bachelor of Liberal Arts  

Cambridge, MA
20XX-20XX

Date of Letter

Contact Name
Contact Title
Company Name
Street Address
City, State Zip Code [Use complete title and address if sending as an attachment.]

Dear XXX : [Address to a particular person first name, last name) if possible and remember to use a colon.]

Opening paragraph: Clearly state why you are writing, name the position or type of work you’re exploring and, where applicable, how you heard about the person or organization. Explain why you are interested in this position and employer and what makes you a good fit for their stated needs. (Be specific but brief, based on the role requirements.)

Middle paragraph(s): Connect your story to this position. What specific examples prove the fit you mentioned in the first paragraph? If you’ve had relevant experience, be sure to point it out with one or two key examples; but do not reiterate your entire resume. Do this in a confident manner, clarifying the connection between your example and the role for the reader, and remember that the reader will view your letter as an example of your writing skills. [Make the addressee want to read your resume. Be brief, but specific.]

Closing paragraph: Reiterate your interest in the position or company, and your enthusiasm for using your skills to contribute to the work of the organization. Provide your phone number and email address for any questions or to arrange an interview. End by thanking the reader for their consideration of your application.

Sincerely,

Your name typed

February 21, 20XX

FirstName LastName

Recruiting Coordinator
Great Strategy Consulting Firm
200 Shell Fish Blvd, Suite 199
San Francisco, CA 94080

Dear FirstName LastName:

I am writing to express my interest in the Associate position at Great Strategy Consulting Firm. As a Master of Liberal Arts degree candidate at Harvard Extension School specializing in Information Technology, I bring six years of technical leadership and experience impacting strategy and improving processes for Fortune 500 companies. I am extremely impressed with Great Strategy’s approach to strategy consulting, especially within the Business Development and Innovation practice areas. My academic background, business knowledge, and industry experiences have provided me with the credentials needed to thrive as an Associate.

Prior to Harvard, I worked as a technology professional in Fortune 500 companies, primarily resolving strategic issues related to technology process improvement. My background in generating innovative ideas and strategies to improve processes has provided me with a deeper understanding of multifaceted problems that companies encounter in their daily operations and the ability to make an impact on the issues your clients’ face.. For example, in my most recent role at Big Company, I led a cross-functional team focused on quality control, improving process efficiency 75% by standardizing end to end project management workflow. The satisfaction from and complexities of working with this global team reinforced my desire to continue to build my analytical andleadership skills through Master’s studies and to contribute  to Great Strategy’s innovative teams.

To date, my experience as an IT professional has been extremely rewarding and productive. However, it is through strategy consulting that I can leverage my strengths in data-driven analysis, creative problem-solving, and collaborative leadership to make a difference across the broader range of challenging problems your clients face..

I would appreciate the opportunity to interview with Great Strategy Consulting Firm for the Associate position. Please find enclosed my resume for your review. I can be reached via email at name.name@post.harvard.edu or by phone at (617) 555-3456 with any questions or to arrange an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

FirstName A. LastName

October 10, 20XX

FirstName LastName
Senior Manager
Wholesale Wine USA
23 Green St.
Boston, MA 02116

Dear FirstName LastName:

I am writing to apply for the position in wine wholesale as advertised on Harvard’s Crimson Careers system. This exciting opportunity appears to be a wonderful fit with my experience in restaurants, knowledge of wine, and career goals.

I am returning to Boston to complete my final year studying part-time at Harvard University Extension School, where I am majoring in economics. Having spent the year working and traveling, I am eager to incorporate myself once again into the local wine community, to which I can contribute bring experience across a number of sectors of the industry.

Through eight years in the restaurant field, I have acquired a deep love of and appreciation for wine and cuisine. I have been known to wax rhapsodic over specials; nothing made me happier than discussing a bottle with a table. This enthusiasm allowed me to introduce a list of reserve selections to Shay’s Pub and Wine Bar. The result was an appreciable increase in sales for the restaurant and repeat attendance by customers. My position at Aspen’s award-winning Montagna allowed me to expand my knowledge of wine, locally inspired cuisine, and the highest standards of service. Our weekly blind tastings fueled my desire to further myself in this field, and I am in the process of acquiring certification through both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine Spirit and Education Trust.

Most recently, I have returned from France where I was lucky enough to work on an organic vineyard in Beaujolais. I adored working with the dynamic vigneron who ran the estate, the largest of its kind in the region. A position at Wholesale Wine Company would allow me to draw upon this experience and facilitate the success of such producers. Additionally, it would enable me to replicate the most enjoyable components of my experience overall: working with my colleagues in the local restaurant industry, as well as with distinctive, iconoclastic wine-makers.

I am readily available via email or phone to arrange an interview and have attached my resume below per your request. Please do not hesitate to contact me at [email] or [phone] if you have any questions. I appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,

FirstName LastName