RESUME MISTAKES
Bake Your Way to a Winning Resume
Spot the most common baker resume slip‑ups and fix them in minutes.
How This Page Helps
Help bakers identify and correct resume mistakes that prevent them from getting hired in bakeries, patisseries, and culinary establishments.
Identify vague skill descriptions
Eliminate irrelevant job history
Optimize for bakery‑specific ATS keywords
Format dates and locations for clarity
Showcase certifications and safety training
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic job titlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see your baking expertise
- ATS may not match bakery keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with specific ones like 'Artisan Bread Baker' or 'Pastry Chef'
- Include the type of establishment (e.g., boutique bakery)
❌ Before
Baker, XYZ Company
✓ After
Artisan Bread Baker, Rustic Loaf Bakery
ATS Tip
Match the title to common industry keywords such as 'Pastry Chef', 'Bread Baker'.
Detection Rules
title contains generic term 'Baker' without qualifier
no mention of specialty
Resumly Tip
Add a specialty adjective to your title to boost relevance.
Listing duties instead of achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Doesn’t demonstrate impact
- ATS looks for quantifiable results
How to fix
- Turn tasks into results with numbers
- Highlight cost savings, production volume, awards
❌ Before
Responsible for preparing dough and baking pastries.
✓ After
Produced 200+ artisan pastries daily, increasing sales by 15% and reducing waste by 10%.
ATS Tip
Include action verbs and metrics.
Detection Rules
bullet points start with 'Responsible for'
no numbers present
Resumly Tip
Convert each duty into a measurable achievement.
Missing food safety certificationsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Employers value HACCP, ServSafe
- ATS may filter for certifications
How to fix
- Create a dedicated 'Certifications' section
- List certification name, issuing body, and date
❌ Before
No mention of certifications.
✓ After
Certifications: ServSafe Food Handler (2023), HACCP Certified (2022).
ATS Tip
Use exact certification names as keywords.
Detection Rules
no 'Certifications' heading
absence of keywords 'ServSafe','HACCP'
Resumly Tip
Add a certifications block near the top of your resume.
Inconsistent date and location formattingLOW
Why it hurts
- Confuses recruiters
- ATS may fail to parse employment timeline
How to fix
- Use month/year format (MM/YYYY)
- Place city, state after each role
❌ Before
2019 – 2021, Bakery
✓ After
06/2019 – 08/2021, Sweet Crust Bakery – Portland, OR
ATS Tip
Standardize dates to MM/YYYY and include city/state.
Detection Rules
dates not in MM/YYYY
location missing city/state
Resumly Tip
Apply the same date and location pattern throughout.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications, Awards
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Baker_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use specific baker titles
- Show quantifiable achievements
- Include food safety certifications
- Standardize dates (MM/YYYY)
- List city and state for each role
- Incorporate bakery‑specific keywords
- Keep resume to 1‑2 pages
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Jobvite
Keyword Strategy: artisan bread, pastry chef, cake decorator, sourdough, food safety, HACCP, ServSafe
Heading Format: Use headings like 'Professional Experience', 'Core Skills', 'Certifications' to match ATS parsers.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current baker resume text
- Replace generic titles with specialty titles
- Add numbers to each achievement
- Insert a certifications section
- Standardize date and location format
Ready to turn your bakery resume into a hiring magnet?
Download the Free Fix Guide
