Resume Tips for Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, Harvard MPH, Harvard M.Arch, and HGSE

Ready to create a resume that makes top graduate school admissions teams sit up and take notice? As experts who’ve helped countless Wild Cards get into their dream programs (and secure impressive scholarships!), we know exactly what works. Whether you’re eyeing Harvard Business School, Kennedy School, or another top program, this guide will help you create a resume that truly reflects your professional journey and potential.

📝 The Right Length for Your Program

One of the most common questions we get at The Art of Applying® is about resume length. Here’s what you need to know for different programs:

Business School:

• One page is standard
  
• Exception: If you have 10+ years of full-time work experience, you can go to two pages (unless the school specifically says otherwise)

Policy School, Education, Social Work, and Public Health:

• Up to four pages is acceptable
  
• Focus on maintaining clean formatting and plenty of white space
  
• Always check school-specific guidelines

Law School:

• One to two pages is typical
  
• Visual appeal and easy navigation are especially important

🎯 Essential Resume Sections

Let’s break down each section of your resume and how to make it shine:

Header Section:

• Your name in bold, 12-14 point font (we like all caps!)
  
• Skip the full address – it takes up valuable space
  
• Keep contact information minimal – one to two lines maximum

Education Section:

• List your undergraduate institution and major
  
• Include GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher
  
• Add study abroad experiences
  
• Save certificates and training for a separate section

Professional Experience:

• Include brief descriptions of lesser-known employers
  
• Quantify results whenever possible
  
• Focus on both the “what” and the “why” of your achievements

💪 Making Your Bullet Points Pack a Punch

Your bullet points are where you can really show your impact. Here’s how to make them powerful:

Quantify Your Results:

• Include team sizes
  
• Note revenue generated
  
• Highlight percentage improvements
  
• Show dollars saved
  
• Demonstrate process improvements

Remember: Small numbers can be just as impressive as large ones – it’s about showing measurable impact!

🌟 The Often-Forgotten Personal Section

Here’s something many applicants overlook: your personal section can be a fantastic conversation starter! This is where you can show the human behind the professional achievements. Here’s how to make it memorable:

Be Specific About Your Interests:

• Instead of “Travel,” write “Solo backpacking through Southeast Asian night markets”
  
• Replace “Reading” with “Contemporary African literature and graphic novels”
  
• Rather than “Technology,” try “3D printing custom organization solutions for small spaces”

The more specific you are, the more likely you’ll connect with your interviewer on a personal level.

📊 Formatting for Maximum Impact

Your resume’s visual appeal matters just as much as its content. Here are our tried-and-true formatting guidelines:

Margins and Spacing:

• Keep margins at least 0.5 inches on all sides
  
• Maintain consistent spacing between sections
  
• Use white space strategically to improve readability

Font Choices:

• Stick to 10-12 point font for body text
  
• Name can be 13-14 point
  
• Use consistent fonts throughout
  
• Section headings can be 12 point
  
• Body text can be 10 point

Line Usage Tips:

• Use most of the available space on each line
  
• If a bullet point spills over by just a few words, either:
  
  • Add more detail to use the full second line
    
  • Rework it to fit on one line

🎯 Professional Experience Best Practices

When describing your work experience, remember these key strategies:

Organization Descriptions:

• Include brief parenthetical descriptions for lesser-known companies
  
• Example: “CloudFlare (cybersecurity and web infrastructure company)”
  
• Skip descriptions for widely recognized companies like Google or Meta

💡 Special Sections for Different Programs

Depending on your target program, consider adding these specialized sections:

For Policy, Education, and Social Impact Programs:

• Community Service and Leadership
  
• Public Service Initiatives
  
• Program Evaluation Experience
  
• Policy Analysis Projects

For Business School:

• Select Transactions (for investment banking)
  
• Key Consulting Projects
  
• Entrepreneurial Ventures
  
• Leadership Impact

For Research-Heavy Programs:

• Research Experience
  
• Publications
  
• Presentations
  
• Academic Projects

🚀 Making Your Achievements Stand Out

Remember, it’s not just about listing what you did—it’s about showing why it mattered. Here’s how to transform basic duties into compelling achievements:

Instead of:

Managed social media accounts

Try:

Grew Instagram following from 5K to 25K in 6 months through strategic content planning and community engagement

Instead of:

Led team meetings

Try:

Facilitated weekly strategy sessions for cross-functional team of 12, resulting in 30% faster project completion rates

🎯 Final Tips for Success

As you refine your resume, keep these important points in mind:

1. Tailor for Your Program:

• Emphasize leadership for MBA applications
  
• Highlight analytical skills for policy programs
  
• Focus on impact metrics for public service roles

2. Proofread Thoroughly:

• Read backward to catch typos
  
• Have someone else review it
  
• Check for consistent formatting

3. Keep Updating:

• Add new achievements
  
• Refresh metrics
  
• Update project outcomes

✨ Ready to Take the Next Step?

At The Art of Applying®, we’ve helped countless Wild Cards transform their resumes from good to exceptional. Your professional story matters, and we’re here to help you tell it in the most compelling way possible.

Whether you’re applying to Harvard Business School, Kennedy School, or another top program, remember that your resume is more than just a list of experiences—it’s your professional story, carefully crafted to show admissions committees exactly why you belong in their program.

Need help perfecting your resume? We’d love to help! Book a Quick Call with our team to discuss how we can help you create an application that stands out, including a resume that gets noticed.

Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to get into a top graduate program—you just need to present your experiences in the most effective way possible. Let’s make your resume work as hard as you do! 

🔔 Ready to start? Book your Quick Call today!