A bad resume example can teach you just as much as a good one if you know how to analyze it. Here’s what you can learn from bad resume examples.
How You Can Learn From Bad Resume Examples
Bad Resume Example
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.
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What Do Bad Resume Examples Have In Common?
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:
- Low readability
Whether it’s a messy resume format or the wrong resume template, an unattractive or cluttered appearance can make your resume hard to scan. This will put hiring managers off, of course, but it could also prevent your resume from reaching them at all. Most big companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes, and if your resume is hard to scan it will rank poorly, which results in your document getting trashed before making it to the recruiter’s desk. - Cut and paste content
If you simply cut and paste your resume and cover letter content, leaving it the same for every job application, your professional resume will lose its impact. Ill-fitting, bland content that doesn’t address what the specific job needs can be as damaging as typos or a weak skills section. - Misses valuable opportunities
A bad resume doesn’t always have to be actively bad. It can be a resume that is passive and fails to grasp every opportunity to ensure a job seeker stands out. This can mean not featuring all of the important achievements in a job seeker’s work history, using a resume objective statement when a resume summary statement would be better or writing a funny resume that is not conveying what makes you a great potential employee first and foremost.
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!
How Can I Learn From These Bad Resume Examples?
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.
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The “sloppy” resume
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:
John Doe
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.
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The “hands-off” resume
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.
John Doe
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.
