Good vs Bad Resume Examples and Expert Tips
In today’s competitive job market, customizing your resume for each role, team, and company is essential to stand out from other applicants. A well-tailored resume not only demonstrates that you are the ideal candidate but also helps you navigate applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter applications.
However, tailoring your resume can be time-consuming, and common mistakes may lead to your application being discarded despite your efforts. In this guide, we’ll show you how to tailor your resume effectively, highlight good vs bad resume examples, and provide a resume-writing checklist to ensure your application is professional, error-free, and impactful.
Why Tailoring Your Resume Matters
Tailoring your resume shows recruiters that you’ve invested time to understand their needs and align your skills accordingly. It helps you:
- Pass ATS filters by using keywords from the job description.
- Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the role.
- Show enthusiasm and dedication for the specific company.
Let’s explore the key elements of a good resume versus a bad one.
Good vs Bad Resume: A Quick Cheat Sheet
Characteristics of a Good Resume
- Concise
A concise resume allows recruiters to quickly scan your key achievements. Avoid wordiness and irrelevant details. - Easy to Read
Use professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman (size 12), standard margins, and bullet points instead of paragraphs. - Machine-Readable
Ensure your resume can be read by ATS software. Submit your file in PDF or DOCX format, avoid headers/footers, use a single-column layout, and refrain from using graphics or charts. - Error-Free
Proofread your resume carefully. Typos can undermine your professionalism and may prevent key keywords from being recognized by ATS systems.
5 Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using Paragraphs and Full Sentences
Bad Example:
Sales Assistant, XYZ Phones, March 2024 – Present
I provide excellent customer service, including cross-selling phone insurance. I have been the top salesperson of the month three times.
Good Example:
Sales Assistant, XYZ Phones, March 2024 – Present
- Provide excellent customer service
- Top salesperson of the month three times
- Use strong sales skills to cross-sell insurance
Why This Works: Bullet points are easier to skim, and starting each point with a verb emphasizes your actions.
2. Including Irrelevant Details
Bad Example:
Bartender, The Ship Inn, January 2024 – Present
- Serve a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including spirits, beers, ales, and soft drinks
- Check customers' ID to ensure they are of legal drinking age
- Clean bar area and tables
Good Example:
Bartender, The Ship Inn, January 2024 – Present
- Prepare specialty cocktails and curated drink menus for events
- Provide efficient, friendly service in a high-volume bar environment
Why This Works: Focus on details that highlight your skills and experience relevant to the role. Avoid listing basic tasks unless they showcase a unique skill.
3. Lack of Detail
Bad Example:
Intern, ABC Marketing Co, September 2024 – Present
- Support marketing team in creating materials
Good Example:
Intern, ABC Marketing Co, September 2024 – Present
- Create images for Facebook ads using Adobe Photoshop for B2B marketing campaigns
Why This Works: Including specific details and keywords helps recruiters understand your contributions and skills.
4. Poor Use of Keywords
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords.
Bad Example for a Job Listing Requiring “People Skills”:
Key Skills:
- Team player
- Communicate well via email, phone, and in person
Good Example:
Key Skills:
- Strong people skills
- Effective communication (email, phone, and face-to-face)
Why This Works: Using exact keywords from the job description ensures your resume won’t be filtered out.
5. Lack of Evidence
Bad Example:
ESL Teacher, English Academy, February 2024 – Present
- Demonstrate strong teaching skills
Good Example:
ESL Teacher, English Academy, February 2024 – Present
- Demonstrate strong teaching skills, achieving a 98% student pass rate
Why This Works: Adding quantifiable results makes your skills more convincing.
Your Resume-Writing Checklist
Before you submit your application, review this comprehensive checklist to ensure your resume is flawless and ready to impress recruiters and pass ATS systems:
- White Space: Ensure there is enough white space to make the resume easy to read and visually appealing.
- Professional Font: Use fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri in size 12 for readability.
- Appropriate Formatting: Use consistent formatting for headers, subheadings, and bullet points.
- Keywords from Job Description: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting to align with ATS filters.
- Relevant Content: Ensure each detail supports the role you’re applying for.
- Bullet Points: Replace long paragraphs with bullet points to enhance readability.
- Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “achieved,” “managed,” or “developed.”
- Quantifiable Evidence: Include measurable achievements, such as percentages, metrics, or specific results.
- Essential Sections: Confirm the inclusion of contact info, professional summary, skills, career history, and education.
- Length: Keep your resume to 1-2 pages to maintain recruiter interest.
- Proofread: Check for typos, grammar issues, and formatting inconsistencies.
- File Format: Save your resume in PDF or DOCX format to ensure compatibility with ATS and recruiters.
- File Naming: Name your file clearly, e.g., “[Your Name] Resume.pdf.”
By thoroughly reviewing each point on this checklist, you can ensure your resume is polished, professional, and optimized for success.
Simplify Resume Writing with CV2Go Templates
Writing the perfect resume can feel overwhelming. That’s where our CV templates can help! At CV2Go, we offer:
- Professionally designed templates tailored to specific roles and experience levels.
- ATS-friendly designs to ensure your resume passes application filters.
- Customizable layouts to highlight your skills and achievements.
By following these tips and using our professional templates, you’ll create a resume that gets noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.
Ready to Build Your Perfect Resume?
Tailoring your resume doesn’t have to be stressful. Use these tips, examples, and our comprehensive checklist to create a standout application. Start building your resume today and land the job you’ve been aiming for!
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