Others’ Responses:
– I’m a people person, but for me a CV is still all about getting the right person for the role.Without reading the full CV and putting that framework around the comment ‘converting biochemical energy to gravitational potential energy’ puts me off – I have a great sense of humour, but humour has no place in a CV. Unless applying for a try-out at the Comedy Club. I would think the applicant a bit of a prat!Some years ago one of my Clients had a hobby/ interest list that included powered hang gliding, rope-less rock climbing, competitive survival, etc . All Action Man/ James Bond stuff. He was concerned that he wasn’t getting many interviews until I pointed out that he was looking for FD roles and was in his mid-50s! Insurance risk or an insurance risk?We removed the whole section, and you can guess the result.
– I absolutely agree with including them – but I always advise clients to include information which broadens their offering to potential employers. Reading Mills & Boon really doesn’t help! So it has to be something interesting – if not I would err on the side of caution and probably advise leaving them off, and I agree any mention of dangerous sports is to be avoided. To evidence my position on this, one of my recent clients secured his next role as a direct consequence of his hobby – the employer was so impressed with what he did in his spare time he could see the added benefits of what the candidate could bring to the team – success!
– I see the value of Anne’s example. Of course there must be an evaluation of the hobby. And yes, not every hobby is good advertisement. And to Bruce: there are different kinds of humor. Some I would not like to have. Some fit not only for comedians. – So my conclusion is: I wouldn’t hire somebody for the hobby. But sometimes it broadens the picture before the decision is made.
– The only time you list hobbies and interests on a resume is when there is a direct relationship between them and the role you wish to play. Your resume is a formal document and putting hobbies that have no relationship to your job search is counter productive. If you enjoy cooking and you are an accountant, there is no relationship. If you enjoy cooking and your role is in the culinary field, by all means add them. Remember, you are competing with others who will do all in their power to move one rung on the ladder closer to the job. I agree with Al Owens in that “family” has no place on a resume.
– I would omit them and only add interests or hobbies if they are interesting or relevant in some manner.
– A resume should be a presentation of the relevant contributions you can make to the potential employers needs. Relevance is the litmus test!
– There is really no connection between the hobby and the job. But: that’s just about the content. I also look at abilities, mind sets etc. I can imagine the accountant explaining his cooking in a way which makes clear, that he knows how to work in priorities, consider several things at the same time etc. You will be surprised if you listened to why someone has a passion. If you looked behind the content of cooking, collecting stamps or a certain kind of sports. Another example? I liked when a mother of 4 kids wanted to start working again and explained, why bringing up 4 kids develops a lot of management skills.
– This is another area of a CV where, in my opinion, there is no right answer. Having said that if the candidate has a particular interest (I agree with John’s comment above, Interests rather than Hobbies) it should be shown. If their particular interest is likely to drive the line manager mad as a topic of conversation on a Monday morning…. “how was your weekend” then best they find out now. I know of s scout leader who was rejected because he was a scout leader. I know of a candidate who was rejected because he had no interests on his cv because he appeared boring and too work orientated. As it happened he played cricket and was a member of a cycling club!As a recruiter I was often given a brief that would mention a type of person by their Interests. In fact one Sales Manager I know would never recruit anyone unless they played a team sport.
– To me the CV is about a human being who has a family and does things outside work.The cv is not simply a job description matching exercise.Make sure though you describe non work activities in an interesting way.
My Response:
– For me, unless there is a significant link with the role and the company, leave them off.
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