From poorly proofread paragraphs to thin work experience sections and everything in between, a bad resume can hold back even the most qualified go-getter. There’s a reason that even the best career coaches emphasize the importance of a great resume for any job seeker. However, bad resume samples can serve a very important purpose. They show you what you should not be doing.
While the best resume is one that is tailored to the needs of each role, bad resumes tend to have several elements in common. Consider these bullet points for the three most common resume mistakes:
A bad resume is like a poorly fitted pair of shoes; it will look wrong, fail to support your weak spots, and could trip you up in the long term. Of course, good tailoring can only go so far. You need to update your resume regularly!
Below there are two excerpts from bad resumes that you can consider when writing your own resume. These samples would make a bad first impression on a recruiter. And they might not even make it through applicant tracking systems.
A sloppy, poorly proofread resume filled with typos is one of the most avoidable bad resumes and for this reason, it is often considered one of the worst resumes by hiring managers. Here is an example of a sloppy resume:
Social Media Manager – DataTron (2012 to Present)
I created a social media marketing campaign focused on the diversity of our clients team and the sustainability of their products. As a result, their number of subscribers doubled over a one-year period.
Not only is this section in need of spell check, but it is also poorly written. When you consider that a social media manager needs to connect and communicate with people, this kind of sloppiness does not reflect well on the applicant.
A resume that uses very passive language could leave hiring managers uninspired. Consider this “hands-off” resume that hits all the right notes but lacks energy.
Social Media Manager – DataTron (2012 to Present)
Over five years with DataTron, was tasked with managing six client accounts, the creation and/or maintenance of their brand identity, and the care of their social media presence. Was responsible for improvements in their social media engagement and approval ratings.
There’s nothing wrong with this, but there’s also nothing exceptional about it. This paragraph would be improved by the use of action verbs (e.g., “managed” instead of “was tasked”) and specific examples of success, preferably with solid numbers or percentages for improvement.
Consider what these bad resume examples can teach you, but you should also consider the good resume examples that are available through ResumeNerd. Finally, try to avoid clichés like calling yourself a “team player” or a “quick study,” as these are buzzwords that don’t mean much.
Broadly speaking, it is the small details that make a good resume or a bad one. Bad formatting, incorrect margin sizes, and improper fonts can put recruiters off of your job application even if the content of your resume is right. As far as content goes, featuring skills and qualifications that don’t have a major impact for the position being applied for is a red flag.
Above everything else, you need to prove to hiring managers that you’re the right person for the job. That means featuring the right skills, experiences and qualifications that match the requirements of the job. This means customizing your resume for every job you apply to, paying attention to the job posting and addressing the skills and requirements mentioned there.
If you want to write a great resume you need to start by reading the job posting and identifying where your skills match the requirements of the role. Once you know how your skillset overlaps with the job description, you should present as much information as you can on one page. Use action verbs, be specific, and feature up to the last ten years of work experience.
