Harvard CV Generator
Build a complete, professionally formatted CV in the Harvard style in minutes. Fill in your details and get a clean, copy-paste-ready document built for Filipino VAs and remote workers applying to international clients.
Personal Information
Professional Summary
Work Experience
Start each line with an action verb. Up to 5 bullets per position.
Education
Skills
Comma-separated list of hard skills, soft skills, and tools.
Certifications (optional)
What is the Harvard CV format?
The Harvard CV format is a clean, highly structured resume style developed by Harvard University's Office of Career Services. It is widely recognized by international employers and recruiters as one of the most professional and ATS-friendly resume formats in the world. It uses clear section headers, consistent bullet formatting, strong action verbs, and precise date formatting to present your experience in the most readable and credible way possible.
Why Filipino VAs Should Use the Harvard CV Format
Most Filipino virtual assistants compete for the same international clients using the same formats. A Harvard-style CV immediately signals professionalism, structure, and an understanding of how high-standard businesses evaluate candidates. It removes the guesswork for the client and lets your experience speak clearly and quickly.
The format is also ATS-optimized by design. Because it uses plain text with no tables, columns, or graphics, it passes through Applicant Tracking Systems without being garbled or misread. For VAs applying through Upwork, OnlineJobs.ph, or directly to international companies, that matters.
Harvard CV Format: Key Sections Explained
Header
Your name (bold, prominent), followed by a single line of contact information: email, phone, location, and LinkedIn or portfolio URL. No photo, no date of birth, no nationality.
Professional Summary
Two to four sentences that describe who you are, your key skills, and what you are looking for. Written in the third person or first person depending on the role. Strong summaries are specific, not generic.
Professional Experience
Listed in reverse chronological order. Each entry includes the job title, company name, location, and date range. Under each entry, three to five bullet points starting with a strong action verb describe specific responsibilities and results.
Education
Degree, school name, location, and year. Include Latin honors, awards, or relevant thesis topics if applicable. For experienced VAs, education goes after experience.
Skills
A clean, comma-separated list of hard skills, software tools, and soft skills relevant to your target role. Keep it concise and ATS-friendly.
Certifications
Any professional certifications relevant to your work. Include the certification name, issuing organization, and year. Certifications in tools like Google Workspace, HubSpot, or Asana are especially relevant for VAs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Harvard CV format the same as a regular resume?
It follows the same general structure, but with stricter formatting rules around consistency, white space, and bullet point construction. Harvard CVs are known for their clean, uncluttered appearance and are designed to be skimmed quickly by a busy hiring manager.
Should I use a Harvard CV for Upwork or OnlineJobs.ph?
Yes. A Harvard CV format works well for both platforms, especially when attaching a resume to a proposal or application. The clean structure and professional language make a strong first impression on international clients who are used to seeing high-standard resumes.
How many pages should my Harvard CV be?
One page if you have less than five years of experience. Two pages maximum for senior professionals with extensive experience. Harvard itself recommends brevity: every line should earn its place.
Do I need a photo on a Harvard CV?
No. The Harvard format explicitly excludes photos, as well as personal information like age, marital status, or nationality. These details are not relevant to the hiring decision and can introduce unconscious bias.
What fonts work best for a Harvard CV?
After copying your CV into Google Docs or Word, use a clean, professional font such as Calibri (11pt), Garamond (11pt), or Arial (10.5pt). Avoid decorative fonts. Set margins to 1 inch on all sides and use consistent spacing between sections.