Let's be honest: formatting a resume is the worst.
Two columns or one? Serif font or sans serif? Should you include a skills section with those little progress bars? And after all that effort, a robot scans it for six seconds before a human ever lays eyes on it.
Here's the secret most people don't know: You don't need to guess.
Ivy League universities like Harvard and Yale publish their official resume and CV templates for free. And yes, anyone can use them.
These are the exact formats they coach their students to use when applying to Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, top law firms, and prestigious research programs. They're clean, professional, and most importantly, designed to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
What Makes a Resume ATS Friendly in 2026?
An ATS friendly resume is designed to be read by a resume shortlisting software that scans resumes before a human sees them. Here’s how you can make your resume easy for the system and recruiters:
Simple Layout: Use clean lines and standard fonts like Arial or Calibri. The ATS system can process simple formats which use standard text without any graphics or tables.
Use Keywords: Include job-specific words from the posting. ATS resume tips say this improves your chance to pass the scan.
Proper Headings: Label sections clearly like Skills, Experience, and Education. This helps ATS systems recognize information through their correct identification process.
File Format: Save your resume as DOCX or PDF. These are the formats most ATS systems can read.
Consistent Details: Keep dates and job titles uniform. The ATS system can match your work history because you maintained consistent information.
A strong resume enables both software and recruiters to identify your abilities and work history which improves your chances of securing job interviews.
Resume Samples created by Harvard University
Resume Samples created by Yale College
Sourced from: https://ocs.yale.edu/resources/ocs-resume-template/
Bonus: Other Ivy League Resources
While Harvard and Yale offer the most comprehensive free libraries, other Ivies also publish excellent resources worth bookmarking:
Princeton: Princeton Career Services Resume Samples
Columbia: Columbia CCE Resume Guide
How to Make These Templates Work for You
Downloading a template is step one. Here's how to fill it effectively:
1. Quantify Everything
Employers love numbers. Replace vague duties with specific achievements.
❌ "Managed social media accounts"
✅ "Grew Instagram engagement by 45% in six months through targeted content strategy"
2. Use Strong Action Verbs
Open every bullet point with a powerful verb. Yale's guide includes a great list, but here are some starters:
Leadership: Led, Directed, Managed, Spearheaded, Orchestrated
Results: Increased, Reduced, Generated, Improved, Accelerated
Creation: Developed, Designed, Launched, Established, Built
3. Tailor for Each Application
A generic resume is a dead resume. Adjust your bullet points to mirror the language in the job description. If they emphasize "project management," make sure that phrase appears in your resume.
4. Save as PDF (Unless Asked Otherwise)
PDFs preserve your formatting across every device. Unless an employer specifically requests a Word doc, always export and send as a PDF.
Bookmark this page, download the templates that fit your industry, and spend your energy where it matters and crafting bullet points that prove you're the best person for the job!
