It is becoming more common for people to be asked what their
favourite hobby or pastime is on a job application form. It is
therefore advisable to include a section on your interests and
any hobby that you are actively engaged in on your CV or Resume
too. This helps to differentiate your application from all
others that have similar experience and qualifications as you
do. A hobby can be used as a great ice-breaker at interviews too
and you may find yourself discussing your skydiving exploits
more than your previous job. Obviously the more unusual the
hobby the better as it is likely to make an impact on anyone
reading your CV and be a point of interest that helps the reader
remember your application over another.
It is important, wherever possible, to list hobbies or
interests that clearly demonstrate relevant skills and
accomplishments that are appropriate for the job your resume is
being considered for. Obviously, if you are applying to be a
cook for a company you would want to list cooking as one of your
hobbies. This may seem an obvious point but you could also
highlight other areas of the same hobby such as researching
recipes or jam making for example.
It is advisable to be
selective about the number of hobbies you list. If it seems that
your time is taken up with a myriad of different activities a
potential employer may reject your application for fear that you
may never be available for overtime work if necessary.
Another possible impact of your choice of hobby may be if it
involves a lot of travel or long hours. The potential employer
may feel that your hobby would have an adverse effect on your
ability to hold down a long term position and may think you are
just trying to fit in work around your hobby and not the other
way round.
Whatever you do, don’t make up a hobby purely to get a job.
If you say you are a chess player, to indicate that you are a
logical thinker and forward planner that is great if it’s true
but beware, you may find that you are challenged to a game by
your boss and be rumbled on the first day!
About the Author:
John Rivers is webmaster of
E Career Makers. Key career
development and job-hunting tips, strategies, and suggestions
from numerous sources.
