Common Formatting Errors in Harvard CV Templates: How to Avoid Them

Why Formatting Matters in a Harvard CV

Having worked extensively with applicants across sectors, we’ve seen how formatting can make or break the impression your CV leaves. The Harvard CV template is popular because it strikes a balance between academic rigor and clean-cut professionalism. But if you stray from its intended structure or ignore typographic details, all that sophistication quickly fades. A well-formatted Harvard CV not only highlights your credentials clearly but also shows respect for the recruiter’s time by making scanning effortless.

Before diving into errors, if you haven’t yet consulted a comprehensive [Harvard CV Template Guide: Structure, Style, and Usage Explained](https://www.cvowl.com/blog/harvard-cv-template-guide-structure-style-and-usage-explained), make sure to review it. It provides foundational knowledge that complements this piece.

Top Formatting Errors in Harvard CV Templates

1. Inconsistent Font Choices and Sizes

Font inconsistency is one of the most glaring issues. Candidates often mix multiple fonts hoping to “spice things up,” or they unknowingly switch font sizes between sections. The Harvard CV template thrives on uniformity — typically sticking to classic, readable fonts like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Arial, in 10–12 point sizes. Using varying fonts or odd sizes disrupts flow and can signal carelessness.

Pro Tip: Stick to one professional serif or sans-serif font throughout. Use bold or italics sparingly to emphasize only headings or key details. Keep font sizes consistent for body text and slightly larger for section headers.

2. Overcrowded Sections with Dense Text Blocks

Trying to fit every achievement or detail into the Harvard template’s clean design often backfires when sections turn into dense paragraphs. This overwhelms recruiters and hides your strengths. Harvard CVs are meant to be scannable, with balanced white space and clear divisions.

Long, wall-of-text descriptions can push your CV beyond two pages and reduce readability dramatically.

What to do instead? Use bullet points to break down responsibilities and achievements. Keep sentences concise and limit bullet points to five or fewer per role. White space isn’t a design flaw — it’s a readability enhancer.

3. Misaligned Margins and Spacing

One subtle but common problem is inconsistent margins or spacing between sections and lines. If a margin is uneven on one side or spacing after headings fluctuates, the CV looks unfinished. Misalignment can give an impression of rushed or amateur work.

Since Harvard CVs aim for elegant precision, maintaining consistent margins (around 1 inch) and spacing (1.15 line spacing is standard) is key. Check that section headers align perfectly with subheadings and bullet lists.

4. Excessive Use of Capitalization and Bold Text

Resist the urge to capitalize entire headings or rely heavily on bolding. While the Harvard style uses section headers to organize content, fully capitalized headings or excessive bold fonts create visual noise and detract from the CV’s professionalism.

For example, “EXPERIENCE” in all caps might seem strong but comes off as shouting. Instead, use Title Case or Sentence case with bold type selectively used only for section or subsection titles.

5. Ignoring Hierarchical Structure of Information

Harvard CV templates are designed with a clear hierarchy — your name and contact info first, followed by education, experience, skills, etc., in descending order of relevance. Candidates sometimes jumble this sequence or mix up formatting levels within sections, confusing recruiters who rely on scanning cues.

Be mindful of heading levels, indentation, and bullet hierarchy. For instance, project details under a job should be indented consistently with bullets, not mixed between paragraphs and bullets haphazardly.

6. Inadequate Use of White Space

We’ve reviewed many CVs in Harvard format where candidates cram content to avoid exceeding two pages. This leads to cramped layouts where line spacing is squeezed, margins shrink, and the overall look becomes intimidating to read.

White space serves as a visual rest, guiding the reader’s eye. In our experience, well-balanced white space directly translates to recruiter engagement. Don’t cut white space just to fit more text; instead, prioritize key content.

7. Misplaced Dates and Location Details

Dates are crucial for recruiters assessing career progression. A common error is placing dates inconsistently — sometimes on the right margin, other times inline with job titles. Locational information also often shifts positions within entries.

The Harvard CV format typically aligns dates to the right, opposite the position title on the left. Locations should nearest follow the organization name but not be separated by excessive spacing. Keeping this consistent makes it easier to evaluate timelines at a glance.

8. Excessive Use of Personal Pronouns

This might not be a formatting “error” per se, but it affects the tone and clarity. The Harvard CV style favors succinct, bullet-pointed achievements without “I” or “my.” When candidates write in prose and pepper their CV with personal pronouns, it feels less professional.

Keep descriptions action-oriented and impersonal: “Led a team of five to develop…” instead of “I led a team…” This approach also tidies up formatting by encouraging shorter lines and uniform bullets.

How to Fix and Avoid These Formatting Mistakes

We’ve highlighted common traps, so what’s the roadmap to a flawless Harvard CV?

Audit Your Template Against the Standard

Start by comparing your draft against a trusted Harvard CV template — like those detailed in the comprehensive CV Owl guide. Notice their font choices, section order, alignment, and spacing. Replicate these elements consistently.

Use Style Sets and Formatting Tools

Most word processors allow you to create style sets for headings, body text, bullets, and date alignment. Setting these styles prevents accidental inconsistencies and saves time when editing.

Break Up Text with Effective White Space and Bullets

If you find paragraphs creeping in, switch to bullets and incorporate line breaks. Think visually: would you rather read a dense block or bite-sized points outlining your responsibilities and achievements?

Keep Dates and Locations Consistent

Decide on a fixed position and format for dates and locations early on. Ensure every job listing and education entry follows these rules exactly. It’s a small detail that adds professionalism.

Proofread Visually and Verbally

Beyond spell-check, read your CV aloud and scan it visually. What’s distracting? What’s confusing? Often, formatting flaws reveal themselves this way. Ask a colleague or mentor to review it with fresh eyes.

Limit Length—Be Concise and Relevant

Your Harvard CV doesn’t have to be exhaustive. Be selective about what you include. Focus on content that aligns most closely with your targeted role.

Insights from Recruiters: What Formatting Really Signals

From our ongoing dialogue with hiring professionals, formatting isn’t just about aesthetics. It signals attention to detail, communication skills, and cultural fit. A candidate who takes the time to format their Harvard CV correctly shows respect for the process and an understanding of organizational standards.

A recruiter scanning hundreds of CVs every day uses formatting as a shortcut to assess professionalism. An inconsistent or cluttered CV often ends up in the “no” pile, regardless of the applicant’s actual qualifications.

So it’s worth investing effort here. The Harvard template is popular because it’s proven. Use it wisely.

Summary: Your Quick Checklist to Avoid Formatting Errors

• Stick to one professional font and consistent sizes.
• Use bullets and avoid dense text blocks.
• Maintain even margins and spacing.
• Avoid excessive capitalization and bolding.
• Keep hierarchical structure clear and consistent.
• Leave generous white space for readability.
• Align dates and locations uniformly.
• Write in concise, action-oriented bullet points—skip personal pronouns.

Following this checklist doesn’t just “fix” your CV; it elevates it to a recruiter-friendly document that truly represents your expertise and professionalism.

Conclusion: Formatting is Your Gateway to Impactful Harvard CVs

In our experience, great formatting is often underestimated yet it profoundly impacts the success of a Harvard CV template. Beyond the bullet points and achievements, how you present your information says volumes about you as a candidate. Avoiding common formatting errors — from inconsistent fonts to overcrowded sections — allows your experience to shine clearly and confidently.

If you take away one thing, let it be this: formatting isn’t just about looking good, it’s about communicating effectively. Pair these formatting insights with strong content and a clear structure (check out the full Harvard CV template guide) and you’re not just submitting a CV, you’re making a compelling case for your candidacy.

So next time you open a Harvard CV template, focus first on getting the form right — the content will follow naturally, and recruiters will thank you.