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When applying for a job, what are good hobbies to have? What do hobbies say about you as a person? Are these different to "spare time activities/interests"?
Are there any hobbies I must have?
(eg name three hobbies: something sporty, something intellectual, something social)
Any hobbies I should avoid?
(eg despite the 50 shades series, don't admit to S&M)
I will ask about them when I'm interviewing, so only have something you can talk about with some passion. Eg Don't put reading if you can't talk about the last book you read and what you did/didn't like about it.
I dont put personal interests or hobbies on my resume anymore. It takes up room when I'm already struggling to summarise things on to 3 pages or less. If someone wants to ask me in an interview, I'll mention stuff but I figure they're more interested in if I can do the job and fit into their organisation.
Unless you're going for a high powered job and you want to impress them with your world bungy jumping record, I wouldnt bother.
I like hobbies because it gives me something to talk about when I interview people other than work and the weather and transport. If you have an interesting and unique hobby I am more likely to remember you.
Reading books and watching movies are not hobbies. They are normal activities.
A professional person did a presentation at a meeting i was at, and in his role as a recruiter he flicks first to the personal interests section. He said he looks for people who are involved in the community - so if you are on playgroup committee, or other volunteer role where you give of yourself- and those people go straight to the top of the pile.
It made me think differently of putting personal interests, cos i previously thought it was a bit ****y.
That's an interesting insight.:
I have not been asked to list hobbies or ever been asked if I had any or what they were at an interview. I guess it would depend on what kind of work you are applying for. As a midwife or RN (the only positions Ive applied for) I guess it doesn't matter what so ever what my outside interests are provided my child protection and criminal records are ok :)
I wouldn't bother with hobbies for any government type role. Mainly because the application process is so strict, ticking whether or not they satisfy all the selection criteria, set questions to ask at at the interview etc.
It could be raised during the 'is there anything else you'd like to say' part of the interview, but no idea as to what 'good hobbies' are (although anything community related could also work against you - some employers may not like the fact you are an active RFS member as you may disappear with minimal notice)
Just to clarify - many of the job application forms I fill out ask for hobbies/interests. That's why I'm putting some down. I'm not randomly adding some to my CV or adding something to an application form.
Volunteer work I usually speak about in the personal statement part of the application, as this shows skills I can use to fulfil the job criteria. I've never thought to put those down under hobbies/outside interests before. Very interesting.
Hobbies that are linked somehow to the job application are good. So for a stressful position mentioning that you love to go hill walking as a chance to clear your head and review the week's activities would be viewed in a positive light. Reading is a common one but be prepared to be asked at interview what you have read incase the interviewer is also a big reader, it's a good talking point.