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

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 include some crazy facts in their resumes, attempting to stand out from the crowd.

Here are some of the outrageous things people have added to their resumes. Avoid these if you want to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.