Here is question for Christians and Non-Christians

Onesimus

Do you think that when going for a job, putting ''Theology'' on your C.V as one of your Personal skills/attributes as well as Education would prevent you from getting a job?

lmaopml

I can't see why it should Oneismus, unless the person doing the interview is decidedly against all things related to religion or study of theology - and if that's the case, then they would be doing you a favour by revealing themselves to you from the outset as very narrow....as somebody that you wouldn't particularly want to work for anyway?

If it is a skill of yours, something you have studied, be honest and put it down...

One doesn't have to be a theist to appreciate that the study of theology is worth merit......I would hope anyway.

Best of luck.

Keaton

I have often thought about this. If you have a qualification in this area, I would definitely put it down. If you're discriminated against at any stage, you might never know in this life, but God will know, and He will punish those who discriminate against Christians.

It is possible that radical feminist/homosexualists might be in the HR or recruitment field. That's very possible, and I fear, very likely. I have my own concerns about one particular big name organisation who I think discriminates against men. I even attempted to glean information about their organisational make-up, but they wouldn't release the information.

MyKeyG

Onesimus wrote: »

Do you think that when going for a job, putting ''Theology'' on your C.V as one of your Personal skills/attributes as well as Education would prevent you from getting a job?

It would if I were offering the job. I'd wonder why someone felt the need to place it on their CV unless it was something they intended to lay on thick at every opportunity. In fact I believe the workplace should be religion neutral. You're welcome to your faith but leave it at the door.

Don't get me wrong I have no issue with religious zealots and respect anyone all the more so for studying as opposed to blind obedience or blind condemnation.

marty1985

If you have a qualification in it, then I see no reason to hide the fact that you spent time applying yourself to gain that qualification.

soterpisc

Onesimus wrote: »

Do you think that when going for a job, putting ''Theology'' on your C.V as one of your Personal skills/attributes as well as Education would prevent you from getting a job?

Depends on the Job really. For most american companies in ireland don't care, its all about the qualifications for the job you are applying for. I was a seminarian for years, I just put down Catholic volunteer, or nothing at all. I am a qualified SAP consultant/programmer now... Not problems getting work anywhere really.

Onesimus

MyKeyG wrote: »

It would if I were offering the job. I'd wonder why someone felt the need to place it on their CV unless it was something they intended to lay on thick at every opportunity. In fact I believe the workplace should be religion neutral. You're welcome to your faith but leave it at the door.

Don't get me wrong I have no issue with religious zealots and respect anyone all the more so for studying as opposed to blind obedience or blind condemnation.

What about those who have studied theorys like the big bang theory? should they leave it at the door instead of jotting it down that they have a B.A honours in this? or those that have studied philosophy?

Not meant as a violent rebuke just a serious question.

MyKeyG

Onesimus wrote: »

What about those who have studied theorys like the big bang theory? should they leave it at the door instead of jotting it down that they have a B.A honours in this? or those that have studied philosophy?

Not meant as a violent rebuke just a serious question.

Unless it's to do with the running of the business I like all strong opinions to stay outside the door whether they have to do with creation or evolution, religion or science. The reason being that there are few opinions that are more provocative and for the most part in my experience individuals with such opinions struggle to water them down. Not that I would feel I had the right to force people even if I owned the company. Freedom of speech is freedom of speech at the end of the day.

On a practical note when I was responsible for interviews I was only interested in practical experience and I can't for the life of me work out why anybody would include something with so little relevance unless they they were making a specific effort to let you know.

lmaopml

Well, I think any kind of study or interest that a person has persued; whether it's a degree a masters etc. may not mean that a person is 'suitable' for the job - sincerely that's why a 'trial period' makes sense.

However, I do think that any kind of further study shows a 'discipline for learning'....and THAT's important.

I've interviewed people with any number of academic degrees that are not 'pertinent' to a position....unfortunately even if they are 'pertinent' it doesn't necessarily equate to them being 'capable'...

It's a small part of a CV - it should be included, and if the interviewer is worth his salt he will ask the pertinent questions, and do what a good interviewer does.

scriba

Onesimus wrote: »

Do you think that when going for a job, putting ''Theology'' on your C.V as one of your Personal skills/attributes as well as Education would prevent you from getting a job?

Interesting question. I suppose it partly depends where in the CV you would mention it. Considering that each individual job requires a tailored CV, it all depends on whether or not its inclusion as a skill would help you get the job. Is 'theology' a skill? To my mind it shows reasoning and a significant thoughtfulness about human existence (regardless of whether or not the interviewer is a person of faith). But an interviewer could also look at this in a negative manner, and see it as an inability to reason, because you accept God as the creator of all creation. My gut feeling is that an interviewer may shy away from it, simply because of the negative perception of religion which pervades media and society in general, which equates theology with simplicity at worst, and misguided intellectual investigation or mystical ritualistic nonsense at best. This is a country which has many Christians, but few which understand even the most basic elements of Christian theology. The chances are that an interviewer might not even understand it, let alone grasp what potential benefit it may be to have a person skilled in it in their company. Thus if it appeared in the skills section, its applicable benefit would have to be spelled out.

For what its worth, I would try get across a knowledge of theology for my CV, but it would be for an academic teaching or research position related to it. Which probably doesn't count.

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

Lucy8080

its subjective. if the employer has leanings in that area it may bias him favourably towards you. this could be termed as positive discrimination.

if the employer sees theology in negative terms this may bias him negatively towards you. negative discrimination.

both are discriminatory in essence.

we dont ask questions when it favours us.

PDN

As other posters have said, if you have a formal qualification in theology then list it. It demonstrates you have the application and aptitude to succeed at a task or a course of study.

I wouldn't list it as an interest or a hobby.

Peregrinus

Unless you encounter a bigot, it's more likely to be an asset rather than a liability. It shows that you have the capacity for, and an interest in, abstract thought, reasoning, values and general philosophical considerations. And - depending on the job you're applying for, of course - most employers will welcome that.

strobe

Obviously not. I think it's insanely paranoid to entertain that it would.

smokingman

Like many here, I'd say put it down if you have a qualification in it.
If it's an "interest", put it down as such at the end of the CV.

I had astrophysics as part of my "hobbies & interests" in mine (which it is) and that sort of thing is only looked at to fill a minute or two of banter at the end of an interview anyway and shouldn't matter a jot about your qualification for a job.

Doctor DooM

I have to say, as soemone on the "other side" I have actually been in the situation where I was performing interviews with an extremely devout Christian as her Assistant Manager we were a good team and worked well together.

Being honest, if theology was mentioned as an interest or skill my interest would be piqued but I don't think it would have swayed my ultimate decision, and I don't think it would have hers either. When you're in the position of interviewing people you kind of have it in your head you need to be disciplined and fair and give everyone a shot.