How You Can Learn from Bad Resume Examples

Bad Resume Examples

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.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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, or even using a resume objective statement when a resume summary statement would be better.

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!