What is MIT Resume Template?
The MIT resume template is a single-column format provided by MIT Career Services. It is designed for engineering and technical students, with a Skills section that is more prominent than in the Harvard or Stanford templates. The template is distributed as a Word document and is fully ATS-friendly. It is recommended for students applying to technical internships and full-time engineering roles.
Who it's best for
Engineering and technical students who want a clean, skills-forward resume format.
When to avoid it
Creative professionals or those wanting a visual layout.
ATS compatibility
Single-column, standard headings, no tables or graphics. Parses cleanly in all major ATS systems.
Structure
MIT Resume Template uses a single-column layout with the following sections, in order:
Header
Name in bold, contact info below. No photo.
Education
University, degree, graduation date, GPA (if 4.5+/5.0 or 3.5+/4.0). Relevant coursework.
Experience
Organization, role, location, dates. 3-4 bullet points with quantified achievements.
Projects
Project name, description, technologies used, link. More prominent than in Harvard/Stanford templates.
Skills
Technical skills grouped by category: Programming Languages, Software, Hardware, Lab Equipment.
Why MIT Resume Template works
- Skills-forward design ideal for engineering and technical roles.
- Projects section gives weight to hands-on work — important for students.
- Single-column and ATS-safe.
- Word format is easy to edit.
How to customize it
- 1Move Experience above Education for experienced professionals.
- 2Expand the Projects section for software engineering roles.
- 3Change the font to Calibri or Arial for a modern look.
- 4Add a Summary section for senior roles.
MIT Resume Template at a glance
| Format | Word (.docx) |
|---|---|
| Columns | Single |
| ATS-safe | Yes |
| Font | Calibri or Times New Roman |
| License | Public (MIT Career Services) |
| Page length | One page |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cost | Free |
Frequently asked questions
Is the MIT resume template ATS-friendly?
Yes. It is single-column with standard headings and no tables or graphics. It parses cleanly in all major ATS systems.
How does the MIT template compare to Jake's Resume?
Both are good for technical roles. Jake's Resume is LaTeX-based and more visually polished, while the MIT template is Word-based and easier to edit. Jake's is more popular in software engineering specifically; the MIT template is broader across engineering disciplines.
Can I use the MIT template if I didn't go to MIT?
Yes. The template is publicly available and can be used by anyone. Replace MIT's name with your own university.