17 Crazy (And Real) Things People Have Put On Their Resumes (#13 Is Definitely a Deal Breaker)

MAKE MONEY - JOBS & CAREERS
Get ready to cringe as we unveil the weirdest resume entries.
Updated Sept. 15, 2023
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In the competitive world of job hunting, a resume is your ticket to making a memorable first impression.

However, not everyone sticks to the conventional script. Some job seekers inject a dose of quirkiness into their resumes, attempting to stand out from the crowd.

Here are some of the craziest things people have added to their resumes that probably didn't help them move beyond living paycheck to paycheck.

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Claiming to be Time magazine's ‘Person of the Year’

Clayton D/peopleimages.com/Adobe A group of applause

Someone posted on Reddit that they once received a resume in which the job hunter claimed to be "Time magazine's Person of the Year — 2006."

The unusual claim was technically valid. During that year, Time magazine chose “you” as the person of the year. It was a tribute to those who posted user-generated content to the internet that year.

Bragging about ‘purrfect writing skills’

astrosystem/Adobe woman with cat working from home

A Reddit poster once received a resume from someone claiming to have "purrfect writing skills."

Perhaps the line was meant to make a cat-lover hiring manager chuckle. For everyone else, it’s simply unprofessional. Employers typically seek clear and concise language skills, not playful puns.

Uploading a photo of corn casserole

minadezhda/Adobe fish casserole dish on table

Adding a photo of corn casserole to your resume would be strange enough. But one Reddit user said they had a job applicant who once uploaded such a photo instead of a resume.

Why? Who knows. You'd probably have to ask the almost certainly still-unemployed applicant to find out.

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Listing body measurements

Africa Studio/Adobe female doctor measuring waist of client

An expert at a recruiting company told Business Insider he once received a resume with the job candidate’s body measurements.

Unless you are applying to be a model, it’s tough to imagine how listing your measurements could be relevant, let alone appropriate.

Attaching photos bikini-clad photos

haveseen/Adobe woman in pool on sunny day

Someone who works at a call center said on Reddit that their employer once received a resume in which the applicant added photos of herself in a bikini to a resume.

Again, unless you are applying to be a model, stick to professional photos and emphasize your job experience.

Declaring a dislike of dictators

JustLife/Adobe Angry businesswoman yelling at her collegue

One job candidate listed their dislikes as “beans and dictators,” according to someone on Reddit.

We’re not sure if the job candidate was sending a subtle message about their distaste for micromanaging bosses or if the applicant just had to get their hatred for Benito Mussolini off their chest. Either way, the line is clearly unprofessional.

Boasting of experience as an ‘underwater ceramic technician’

Gorodenkoff/Adobe Woman loading dishes in dishwasher

We’ve all puffed up an item or two on a resume at some time or other. The practice is ethically questionable, but if you're going to engage in it, at least do so with sophistication. 

Labeling a dishwasher job as an "underwater ceramic technician" isn’t going to impress many hiring managers, including the person who posted this real-life example on Reddit.

Expressing a bit too much pride in a uniform

dusanpetkovic1/Adobe woman in white uniform using tablet in warehouse

Someone on Reddit says they once received a resume that listed “Wearing a uniform" as a skill.

We’re all for dressing to impress, but if you consider putting on work clothes as one of your major talents, you will not likely get very far in the job-search process.

Begging to be hired

Wayhome Studio/Adobe depressed woman rubbing palms

Writing "Please hire me!!!!!!!!" might just convey a hint of desperation, especially when it's at the very top of a resume. But one Reddit poster claims to have seen it.

If you're counting on pity to get you a position, you probably have a long job search ahead.

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Begging not to be tested for drugs

fizkes/Adobe businessman scolding female candidate

Someone on Reddit found their manager laughing hysterically one day at a request on a resume that read, “Please do not drug test me."

Many employers value hard-working, down-to-earth employees. They are less thrilled by workers whose heads are constantly in the clouds.

Boasting of bladder control

Henryk Sadura/Adobe public rooms having doors opened

A poster on Reddit received a resume they said was filled with "I am able to exist in society" skills, including "able to hold bladder for extended periods."

Employers seek candidates who can contribute to their organizations, not those who are simply skilled at taking fewer bathroom breaks.

Adding parents and siblings as references

the faces/Adobe twins surprised while holding smartphone

Listing family members like parents and siblings as references on a resume is unconventional and unwise, but it happens sometimes.

Employers prefer professional references who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Including family members might raise concerns about objectivity.

Proclaiming status as a ‘boss baby’

Annuitti/Adobe cute girl baby boss in suit

Referring to yourself as "boss baby" on a resume might be amusing to some, but it's more likely to come off as tacky and unprofessional to most. A Reddit poster says they actually saw this on a resume.

Bragging about paper-shredder prowess

LoloStock/Adobe businessman shredding documents in machine

While knowing how to use a paper shredder is a handy office skill, it's hardly resume-worthy.

Dana Manciagli, a global career expert and author of "Cut the Crap, Get a Job," says she saw this once on a resume.

Claiming to be a ‘dungeon master’

dodotone/Adobe asian woman enjoying role playing tabletop

Unless you're pursuing a game development or entertainment career, listing “dungeon master” on your resume is generally inadvisable.

That might seem obvious, but one Reddit user seriously considered adding it to their resume.

Confessing a chocolate croissant addiction

rh2010/Adobe woman having in beret french breakfast

Confessing to a "chocolate croissant addiction" on a resume is pretty unconventional. But in 2013, the executive director of the career center at Yeshiva University told Business Insider that he saw it on a resume.

Personal preferences, especially for indulgent foods and sweets, are unrelated to your job qualifications. Including such information can make you appear unserious and unprofessional to potential employers.

Using a picture of Superman instead of a headshot

deagreez/Adobe male doing role play of superman

We all want to convince a potential employer that we will be a superhero on the job. But replacing your headshot with a picture of Superman is a bit much.

Yet, a poster on Reddit actually saw the Man of Steel appear on one applicant’s resume.

Bottom line

Drobot Dean/Adobe female candidate confident with hiring manager

While a touch of creativity on your resume can set you apart, it's essential to balance showcasing your unique personality and remaining professional.

When it comes to the job hunt, employers typically look for practical skills and relevant experiences. So, focus your resume on the skills that matter in your chosen field.

Think twice before adding something to your resume that might be misunderstood. Keeping things professional can help you land a job that is fulfilling and helps you get ahead financially.

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Author Details

Adam Palasciano Adam Palasciano is a personal finance-obsessed and money-savvy individual who loves to hash out content on all things saving money. He specializes in writing millennial-friendly personal finance content, covering topics ranging from trending financial news, debt, credit cards, cryptocurrency, and more.