WRITING SUCCESSFUL RESUMES
A strong resume should clearly highlight your most relevant experiences, skills, and accomplishments in a concise and clear way. Recruiters typically only spend a few seconds scanning each resume, so it is crucial that each line should serve a purpose. Using clear formatting, strong action verbs, and quantifiable results can help you stand out. In today’s job market, leveraging tools such as AI-powered resume builders can be helpful in ensuring your resume meets the specific language and priorities for a job posting.
FOR EXAMPLE
Candidates in fields such as computer science or engineering often use project-based resumes that showcase technical skills, while business and finance resumes tend to emphasize internships, leadership experiences, and quantifiable achievements. By adjusting your presentation depending on the industry, you signal to recruiters that you understand the role and bring the right set of skills and experiences to succeed in it.
SAMPLE RESUME
TIP: You can drop by the MCS or make an online appointment for help with resumes or cover letters Monday through Friday from 1–4pm. Employers in specific industries, such as consulting and finance, will also run review clinics listed on the MCS Employer Events Calendar. You can also use the MCS resume template, presented below and available on their website, as an excellent starting point for crafting your resume.
DO THIS FOR RESUME
DO: Keep it to one page.
DO: Organize by sections (Education, Experience, Skills).
DO: List most recent experiences first.
DO: Show dates clearly and consistently.
DO: Quantify achievements with numbers.
DO: Start bullets with strong action verbs.
DO: Tailor language to the job posting.
DO: Highlight technical/project skills when relevant.
DON'T DO THIS FOR RESUME
DON'T: Go over one page.
DON'T: Add irrelevant details or hobbies.
DON'T: Leave gaps in your timeline.
DON'T: Mix up formatting.
DON'T: Use vague words like helped or worked on.
DON'T: Write full sentences or paragraphs.
DON'T: Overstuff with buzzwords.
DON'T: Use pictures, colors, or fancy fonts.
Sample Action Words
For organizing or creating a product:
Adapted, Adopted, Composed, Condensed, Created, Customized, Designed, Developed, Directed, Displayed, Entertained, Established, Founded, Illustrated, Initiated, Ideated, Instituted, Integrated, Introduced, Invented, Modeled, Photographed, Planned, Revised.
For assisting with another’s work:
Adapted, Advocated, Aided, Answered, Arranged, Assessed, Assisted, Clarified, Coached, Collaborated, Contributed, Cooperated, Counseled, Demonstrated, Diagnosed, Educated, Encouraged, Ensured, Expedited, Facilitated, Familiarized, Furthered, Guided, Helped, Intervened, Motivated, Prevented, Provided, Referred, Rehabilitated, Represented, Resolved, Simplified, Supplied, Supported, Volunteered.
For teaching or mentoring others:
Advised, Clarified, Coached, Communicated, Conducted, Coordinated, Critiqued, Developed, Enabled, Encouraged, Evaluated, Explained, Facilitated, Focused, Guided, Individualized, Informed, Installed, Instructed, Motivated, Persuaded, Simulated, Taught, Tested, Trained, Transmitted, Tutored.
For managing a product or organization:
Administered, Advanced, Analyzed, Appointed, Approved, Assigned, Attained, Authorized, Chaired, Considered, Consolidated, Contracted, Controlled, Converted, Coordinated, Decided, Delegated, Developed, Directed, Eliminated, Emphasized, Enforced, Enhanced, Established, Executed, Generated, Handled, Headed, Hired, Hosted, Improved, Incorporated, Increased, Initiated, Inspected, Instituted, Led, Managed, Merged, Motivated, Navigated, Organized, Originated, Overhauled, Oversaw, Planned, Presided, Prioritized, Produced, Recommended, Reorganized, Replaced, Restored, Reviewed, Scheduled, Secured, Selected, Streamlined, Strengthened, Supervised, Terminated.
For technical experience:
Applied, Assembled, Built, Calculated, Computed, Conserved, Constructed, Converted, Debugged, Designed, Determined, Developed, Engineered, Fabricated, Fortified, Installed, Maintained, Operated, Overhauled, Printed, Programmed, Rectified, Regulated, Remodeled, Repaired, Replaced, Restored, Solved, Specialized, Standardized, Studied, Upgraded, Utilized.
WRITING SUCCESSFUL COVER LETTERS
A cover letter is a way for you to highlight your skills, experience, and interest in the specific role you are applying for. A good cover letter should reference the job description of the position you are applying for and explain how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the role. It should also demonstrate and explain your interest in the company. Instead of simply restating information found in your resume, a good cover letter will connect that information from your resume to the particular needs of the job you are applying for. A successful cover letter will not be generic. Rather, it will reference prospective employers.
FORMATTING A COVER LETTER
-
Address your cover letters to a specific person with their position included.
-
Research positions and companies to ensure that your cover letter reflects the particular demands and culture of the company you are applying for.
-
Avoid flowery language and keep letters one page or shorter.
-
Give specific examples of situations and experiences that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.
-
Thank the employer in the closing paragraph.
-
Use the pronoun “I,” but not at the beginning of every sentence.
-
Use lots of action words.
-
Make sure that your exported .doc and .pdf files maintain formatting.
-
Use a simple and easy-to-read font.
-
Match font type and size to your resume and list of references.
OUTLINING A COVER LETTER
01
The first paragraph is an introduction that should begin with a reference to the person who referred you to the position or company you are applying for, if applicable, in addition to a brief professional introduction. You should also clearly state the position you are applying for, your grade in school, and an overview of the main strengths you can offer the company.
02
The body paragraph(s) include 1-2 paragraphs that cite specific examples from your work experience that convincingly portray your ability to thrive in the position you are applying for. Avoid simply repeating information that can be found in your resume, and discuss how your skills and work goals have evolved to align with the company you are applying to.
03
The conclusion paragraph should be a very brief addendum that restates your interest in the company and thanks the employer for their time and consideration. You should also mention what you hope to get out of the experience and why you believe you are a good fit for the environment and specific role.
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
TIP: Leverage your connections! If a friend or acquaintance referred you for a position, mention it within the first few sentences of your cover letter. Include their name and briefly explain how you’re connected.
TIP: You can make a copy of a Harvard CV/Cover Letter template on the Mignone Center for Career Success website!
