When searching for a job, it’s crucial to have a résumé that packs a punch and grabs the attention of the hiring manager.
But let’s face it, some people take it a little too far and end up being the laughing stock of the HR department.
We went down the internet rabbit hole and stumbled upon some of the most hilarious résumés and job applications that will have you rollin’ on the floor laughin’.
From listing “World domination” as a career goal to “Fluent in sarcasm” as a language, these candidates truly went above and beyond in standing out from the crowd- for better or for worse.
So, without wasting too much time, we present to you 30 of the most ridiculous résumés and job applications that will have you chuckling- of course you never want to replicate these.
1. The Expert Communicator
The self-proclaimed “expert communicator” has got some serious confidence, but let’s be real- unless he’s planning on becoming a stand-up comedian, we’re unsure what kind of job he’s actually qualified for.
He hasn’t got any transferable skills and definitely got some work to do if he wants to prove his skills beyond just talking a big game.
2. The “Pharmaceutical Sales Rep”
This candidate is refreshingly candid…or perhaps too candid. From lacking formal education to running a “weed delivery service”, it’s clear he has some sales skills, but probably not the kind you want in a professional office setting.
But hey, at least he is not afraid to think outside the box and diversify his revenue streams!
3. The egotistical Actor
Is this even a résumé or just a comedic masterpiece? Daryl clearly couldn’t decide on just one photo of himself, so he gifted us with a triptych of vanity.
And if that wasn’t enough, he even manages to brag about getting cast as a rapist. Smooth move, Daryl.
4. A teen with a killer sense of humor
This clever young whipper-snapper not only made the hiring manager laugh, but landed himself a gig flipping burgers at McDonald’s with his clever and candid responses.
Who knew being a smartass could pay off?
5. The Cream of the Crop
This dashingly debonair candidate believes he is the crème de la crème of the job market. He certainly has a lot of chutzpah for applying for a job in such a bold way.
Find out: 10 Signs an Interview Went Well or Bad
6. Or, you know… Whatever floats your boat!
I mean, let’s be real, who wouldn’t be impressed by an applicant with lightning-fast reflexes like a cat, a laugh that sounds like a horse and an appetite that could feed a small army?!
7. The Big Boss
A self-proclaimed Boss who boasts about being a jack of all trades, but has a résumé as empty as a clown car at a funeral. Who wouldn’t want to roll the dice and hire this stud muffin? We highly recommend a cv writing service for this dude!
8. What an interesting hobby!
Brad had been circulating his résumé with this peculiar hobby listed on it for a while before he finally realized that his pal had written it as a prank. Brad, my dear boy… you got pranked!
9. The “I don’t give a hoot” guy
Let’s be real, we’ve all been there, not giving a single care in the world. But, listing it on your résumé as a skill? That’s a whole different level of “0- f*cks”
10. Could this be serious?
This has got to be some kind of prank, from the terrible photo to the jailbird story. I’m honestly a bit scared to even read this résumé, let alone meet the infamous Mr. Santangelo in person.
11. Ms Desperation
This applicant’s résumé is a hot mess, with typos and errors galore, but the cherry on top is the bold and underlined “HIRE ME” written at the bottom.
It’s like she was screaming “I’m desperate, please hire me!” at the top of her lungs. But hey, at least she’s passionate about finding a job.
12. The ultimate summer gig
This brilliant young mind, with a heart of gold and a knack for typos, is on the hunt for the ultimate summer gig. Talk about ambition!
13. When it comes to résumés, sometimes less is more
This applicant took the idea of “simplicity” to a whole new level. I mean, a single line stating degree and give me the job? That’s like showing up to a job interview in sweatpants. But hey, maybe he is a minimalist and trying to prove a point. Or maybe he just had a really bad day and forgot to finish his résumé. Either way, I’m not convinced this direct approach will land him the job, but I’m definitely convinced it’s a good laugh.
Find out: How to Create a Job-Winning Resume with No Education
14. Nicolas Cage-ing it
This applicant took “thinking outside the box” to a whole new level by attaching a hilarious picture of none other than Nicolas Cage instead of their résumé.
A reminder to all job seekers: always double, triple, and quadruple check your attachments before hitting send. Otherwise, you might just end up Cage-ing it and making a Nicolas Cage-y of yourself.
15. The c*ck
Talk about a poultry disaster of a résumé! Let’s just say this isn’t the fowl-proof way to apply for a catering job.
16. Oh snap!
Looks like someone skipped the lesson on manners in kindergarten. I know a little bit of cheekiness can be charming, but this résumé is straight up disrespectful and in-your-face.
It’s a résumé that would make even the most easy-going person want to wash their eyes with soap.
17. The devil wears Prada?
More like the devil wears Prague! Who knew the Prince of Darkness had such a love for the Czech Republic? Not to talk about a fashion faux pas.
If you’re gonna drop a movie reference, make sure you’ve got the title right, otherwise, you might end up looking like a fool. I mean, have you ever even heard of “Devil Wears Prague”? I sure haven’t.
18. The Master Distractor
This applicant’s thought process is a bit like a game of telephone, it gets lost in translation. While it’s funny, his massive ego might just be a distraction to his own work.
But hey, at least he’ll make the office more entertaining.
19. References? More like “references-less”!
Lucky for this résumé, it wasn’t thrown in the trash with the rest of its reference-less comrades.
20. Going Bananas
Is this a résumé created by a child with a love for WordArt? It may leave a lasting impression, but probably not the one you want.
21. Google autocomplete
We’ve all had our fair share of autocomplete mishaps, but this candidate took it to a whole new level by letting Google do all the heavy lifting on their résumé.
While it’s certainly amusing, we’re unsure it’s the best way to highlight your skills and qualifications. But hey, at least he has a good sense of humor and creativity on his side.
Maybe he should apply for a job at Google, they seem to have a pretty good understanding of the inner workings.
22. The death certificate
Talk about going the extra mile for a job, this candidate must have had a sixth sense because he knew when a position was open before it was even advertised.
How did he know? Well, he sent in a death certificate of the previous employee with his application as proof that the spot was up for grabs. I have to say, it’s a bold move but also a bit morbid, I would not expect him to land the job but he definitely made an impression.
23. The one and only GoT and Stranger Things expert!
This résumé may not be a work of art, but it’s clear that this person has a serious dedication to binge-watching and snacking.
If you’re looking for someone who can tell you the difference between a White Walker and a Demogorgon with their eyes closed, then look no further! Just don’t expect them to leave their living room anytime soon.
24. Pandemic résumé
We’ve all been through a lot during the pandemic, and this résumé perfectly captures the essence of it all.
From “staring into the void” to “crying in car”, this job seeker has truly mastered the art of summarizing the pandemic experience in one document. But let’s be real, we all know that the real skill listed here has the ability to make HR managers laugh out loud while reading the résumé.
25. Batman
Looks like the caped crusader himself, Batman, decided to take a break from fighting crime and applied for a job in the hospitality industry.
But instead of listing his salary expectations in dollars and cents, he wrote “justice” as his desired pay. Now, I’m not sure if this was a joke or not, but if it was serious, I’m pretty sure he won’t be getting a call back from HR.
26. Insert text here
Listen up folks, if you’re using a résumé template and you come across a little phrase that says “Insert text here”- never leave it there like a clueless buffoon.
It may not be the end of the world, but it’s like showing up to a job interview wearing crocs, it screams “I don’t give a hoot.” So, before you hit send, double check for any “Insert text here” or “Lorem Ipsum” placeholder text and delete it like it’s your ex’s number. Trust me, it’s for your own good.
27. The race and sex change
Marissa will never forget the time she received a résumé with a picture of a man of a different race. Apparently, the job seeker had used a résumé template and forgot to replace the stock photo with a picture of themselves.
Can you just imagine the look on the hiring manager’s face when this individual walked into the interview? Not to talk about a case of mistaken identity!
28. The wild bear fighter
If the company is looking for someone who isn’t afraid to take on the wild, then this applicant is their huckleberry. The applicant is not just willing, but eager to take on a bear in the ring. Imagine the company picnic, when the boss says “let’s roast marshmallows”, this person would reply “let’s roast bear”.
29. A typical teenager (or so we thought)
This résumé would definitely make a hiring manager do a double take, if it wasn’t a joke, that is.
This girl’s father decided to have a little fun and create a résumé for her, listing skills such as “expert in procrastination”, “champion of Netflix binges” and “able to eat entire pizza by oneself”- and let’s not forget the “giving out all clients information to fraudsters” and “chopping colleagues toes off with a spade” (ouch!)- it’s safe to say that this teenager is not your typical candidate.
30. Dungeons and Dragons
Are you a hardcore Dungeons and Dragons player wondering how to showcase your skills on a job application?
Look no further! We present to you the ultimate example of how to infuse a little fantasy into your résumé and impress those hiring managers. From “Dragon slaying” to “Quest completion rate”, who wouldn’t want to hire a boss level dungeon master like yourself?
So, grab your 20-sided die and let’s get rolling on the ultimate job application that will have everyone laughing and hiring you on the spot!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, it’s vital to remember that a resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you.
Ensure to take your job search seriously and avoid making the same mistakes as these jobseekers. Have you ever come across any funny resume or had any mishaps with your own applications? Share your stories in the comments section below.
While we find these resumes hilarious, they cannot be considered for the next stage of the hiring process. With our free expert resume ebook, you can ensure that your application stands out and presents you in the best light possible. Looking for a job? Try Jooble!