Why Every High School Student Should Write a Failure Résumé

LinkedIn Article: July 8, 2025

The Worst Grade Ever - Or Is It?

As educators, we spend so much time helping students craft traditional résumés—lists of achievements, GPA highlights, and accolades. But what if we flipped the script? What if we asked students to reflect not just on their wins, but on their missteps?

Enter the Failure Résumé.

The concept, popularized by Stanford educator Tina Seelig and exemplified by companies like Bessemer Venture Partners’ famous “Anti-Portfolio,” challenges students to chronicle the moments that didn’t go as planned—and what they learned from them.

Why It Matters in High School

High school is a time of exploration, identity-building, and yes—failure. Instead of avoiding or covering up these missteps, we can use them as teaching tools:

• Promotes resilience. Students learn to own their setbacks, recognize patterns, and develop grit.

• Builds self-awareness. Reflecting on group work failures or personal setbacks teaches emotional intelligence and accountability.

• Connects to future goals. When students analyze academic, group, and personal failures, they uncover insights to apply in their senior capstone projects and beyond.

• Destigmatizes imperfection. Failure becomes a platform for growth, not a source of shame.

• Fuels creativity and risk-taking. Students become more willing to try, experiment, and step outside their comfort zones.

What a Failure Résumé Includes

In our curriculum, students write a “book” of their failures, with chapters such as:

• Academic Missteps (e.g., bombing a test, procrastinating)

• Group Project Challenges (e.g., communication breakdowns)

• Personal Setbacks (e.g., strained relationships, missed opportunities)

Each “failure” must include a thoughtful analysis and takeaway. The goal isn’t just confession—it’s growth.

Student Example - Failure Resume

From Reflection to Action

One student realized that their reluctance to speak up in group work led to confusion and missed deadlines. In their Capstone Project, they intentionally chose a leadership role and created a feedback system to ensure communication stayed strong.

Another wrote about failing to budget their time during a semester. That insight informed their project planning and milestone tracking—real skills they’ll carry into college and career.

Student Example - Failure Resume

Preparing Future-Ready Thinkers

In the age of AI, adaptability is everything. Teaching students to reflect on failures prepares them to iterate, pivot, and lead with honesty—just like the best entrepreneurs and engineers do.

So the next time you plan a unit on goal setting or senior project ideation, consider adding a Failure Résumé. It might be the most important résumé your students ever write.