Looking for a new job is nobody’s favorite thing to do. From searching job websites to updating your resume, it’s often a long and tiresome task. Knowing what to include in a resume is also something many people struggle with. Obviously, your personal details, work history, and qualifications should be included. But, what about personal interests and hobbies?
Some recruitment agencies recommend not including any information about hobbies on your resume. But this is not necessarily advice you should follow. Hobbies can provide an employer with an insight into what kind of person you are and what you are passionate about. This can be important information for them to have during their search for new talent for a number of reasons. So regardless of whether you want a career in law or food and drink, here’s how your hobbies and interests can help you get the job.
It shows you can manage your time. You’d find it hard to join any industry that didn’t value time management in some way. Sticking to work deadlines, arranging meetings and even getting to work on time all require time management skills. This has made it one of the most valuable and in-demand skills for a candidate to possess. Employers will read hundreds or even thousands of resumes in which the candidate claims they are able to manage time effectively. But many are unable to back this up with evidence once they reach the interview stage. While your previous work will be able to give you some of the evidence you need, your hobbies can help too.
Being able to practice your hobby regularly can show an employer that you can plan and use time to your advantage. Hobbies which are strongly influenced by time like cooking or scuba diving can prove you work under strict time frames. Another things they can also show an employer is that you are patient and willing to put time into improving yourself. So rather than leaving your hobbies out, use them to show how punctual and time conscious you are.
It can help you build a rapport. If you happen to have the same interest or hobby as a potential employer, this can make them interested in you early on. Even if you aren’t entirely qualified for the position, they may want to interview you because you have a common interest. This can give you a rare opportunity to make an impression which could help you secure the job you want. But the only way this can happen is if you include what your hobbies are on your resume.
Your hobbies can also help you build a bond and rapport during the interview stage of the hiring process. For instance, if they have a bouquet of flowers on their desk, use this to start a conversation about your interest in floristry. This can be a natural icebreaker which can help you both relax before the official interview starts. You may even find that they suggest online floristry courses you should try or websites you can use to enhance your skills further. This conversation will make you far more memorable to the interviewer when they look back on the interview later on.
It can give you an edge. Not every candidate will have an interest in mountain climbing or running marathons. These typically difficult hobbies show a great deal of focus, drive and self motivation. It also highlights to an employer that you are goal orientated and able to work successfully within a team or by yourself. All of which can easily be applied to the workplace and any job role. So mentioning these kind of hobbies, whether on your resume or during an interview can give you a distinctive edge.
But, less strenuous hobbies like painting, sewing, and blogging can also give you an upper hand on your competition. They highlight your passion and creativity, while also showing that you can experiment and learn new things quickly. This can be extremely useful for an employer to know, particularly if you want to join a creative industry.
If you were thinking about not adding your hobbies onto your resume, you might want to reconsider. You might not have seen their relevance before, but they say more about you than you probably realize. So rather than overlooking them, make sure your hobbies and interests are included on your resume or application form. It could give you the edge you need to beat the competition and secure your dream job. If you don’t currently have a hobby or interest, now might be the perfect time to start one.
Photo by Sandro Katalina
Mia Guerra
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