Personal interests section in cv

xoxyx

I don't know what got me thinking of this early on a Sunday morning, but what's the craic with the personal interests section in cvs??

Years ago, I was involved in sorting cvs for traineeships in a law firm, and by Jaysus, you wouldn't believe the things that people put in. Trampolining made an appearance. Lots of golf. Everyone was a voracious reader. And salsa dancing was particularly prevalent that year!

I don't know if it's meant to show a personal side to you, but your cv is supposed to be about how you'd be good at the job you're applying for. You can show your personality in the interview. I just don't see how salsa dancing is going to give your cv the boost it needs (unless you're going for the salsa dancing administrator role, in which case, it really should be in your previous experience section!). I'm genuinely curious - what is the point of this section? Sure, even the templates in tinylimp Microsoft come with a personal interest section. Why?????

Wacker The Attacker

Banging secretaries would be a good interest to have while working in a law firm. Has anyone put it on their cv before they hopped off their 20 year old secetary

so they could see if you fit in, maybe

had an interview once where they were very interested in it, was a great one

Broxi_Bear_Eire

To show what sort of personalty you are ie they might be able to judge if you would be a good team player or that you are an outgoing person. Your interests if what is put down is genuine can tell a lot about you. At the end of the day though a CV is about getting your foot in the door. I hate it when I get CV's that run to numerous pages keep it short folks long ones tend to get filed under B for bin

Mr. CooL ICE

Where I used to work, the girl in HR used go get a lot of CVs from Russian girls. For some reason, they always included a picture of themselves. Not a professional LinkedIn profile shot, but more like a sexy myspace elevated shot with legs and cleavage.

Canis Lupus

LordChessington wrote: »

Where I used to work, the girl in HR used go get a lot of CVs from Russian girls. For some reason, they always included a picture of themselves. Not a professional LinkedIn profile shot, but more like a sexy myspace elevated shot with legs and cleavage.

I've an ex now living in Spain and it's common enough to include a pic in your cv there. I think it's well strange.

Broxi_Bear_Eire

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I've an ex now living in Spain and it's common enough to include a pic in your cv there. I think it's well strange.

Its getting more and more common for people to include a small passport type pic of themselves not sure about it myself OK it gives the employer a look at the person but meh

I always see the personal interest section a way to include your strengths - for example, if you were heavily involved a sports club or something, I'd put in a few words on that. It also shows (if you're not focussed on sports where you are by yourself) that you would be fine working in a team environment.

That's my take on it. Don't mention too much, but remember that that section, like all others, are there to show how bloody brilliant you are.

xoxyx

Very true re. showing your personality - but, from the ones I saw, you would barely believe a word of it. Seems like something that's just tagged on and filled out as cursory exercise. I just don't see how it could make or break your application. Although, banging secretaries would definitely make you stand out. Don't know if that would be in a good way though..

Fuhrer

Dónal wrote: »

I always see the personal interest section a way to include your strengths - for example, if you were heavily involved a sports club or something, I'd put in a few words on that. It also shows (if you're not focussed on sports where you are by yourself) that you would be fine working in a team environment.

That's my take on it. Don't mention too much, but remember that that section, like all others, are there to show how bloody brilliant you are.

When we're hiring its a good way of filtering out the people who are going to complain about working late


Recent example,

Had to work till 9 because of an issue with some client, one of the guys goes "I cant work, Ive gaa training tonight"


He was on a temp contract, it didnt become a full time contract

LenaClaire

We once had a guy submit with Pig Calling listed on his personal interests.

xoxyx

Fuhrer wrote: »

When we're hiring its a good way of filtering out the people who are going to complain about working late


Recent example,

Had to work till 9 because of an issue with some client, one of the guys goes "I cant work, Ive gaa training tonight"


He was on a temp contract, it didnt become a full time contract

So it can work against you?

jujibee wrote: »

We once had a guy submit with Pig Calling listed on his personal interests.

I'm putting that on my cv. WTF is it though??

LenaClaire

xoxyx wrote: »

I'm putting that on my cv. WTF is it though??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYBYjM7nMoA

antodeco

jujibee wrote: »

We once had a guy submit with Pig Calling listed on his personal interests.

I'm putting that on my cv. WTF is it though??

It's like cold calling, but for pigs

Tomk1

Broxi_Bear_Eire wrote: »

To show what sort of personalty you are ie they might be able to judge if you would be a good team player or that you are an outgoing person.

What is ''a team player'' really what is it (I dislike that cv-talk) and how does that make someone the better person for a job. In a professional job, you have to take on responsibility and accountability, work on your own initiative without someone looking over their shoulder. There's a structure in place, each person has a role todo, their job to fullfill, can't see what difference it makes if you play chess or rugby on whether your the right person for some more than likely mundane job. Some people might just like watching TV and having a few drinks.

I was with a company once, the lads were going through the CV's and were laughing their heads off at some fellew who put 'potholing' down, they didn't even know what it was, I told them it was cave-diving, which got even more laughter.

I can see were Personal interests may be helpfull in some jobs, like working in IT and having no interest in computers doesn't make sense, so interests related to the job.

My CV is 3 pages + a cover summary & I don't even include my leaving cert. I don't deal with HR-agencies, as in my opinion, just red-tape nonsense
with catch-phrases like ''Team-player'' ''good communicator'' basically the copy/paste job template, who wouldn't know the difference between a router 'n a router.

Broxi_Bear_Eire

Tomk1 wrote: »

What is ''a team player'' really what is it (I dislike that cv-talk) and how does that make someone the better person for a job. In a professional job, you have to take on responsibility and accountability, work on your own initiative without someone looking over their shoulder. There's a structure in place, each person has a role todo, their job to fullfill, can't see what difference it makes if you play chess or rugby on whether your the right person for some more than likely mundane job. Some people might just like watching TV and having a few drinks.

I was with a company once, the lads were going through the CV's and were laughing their heads off at some fellew who put 'potholing' down, they didn't even know what it was, I told them it was cave-diving, which got even more laughter.

I can see were Personal interests may be helpfull in some jobs, like working in IT and having no interest in computers doesn't make sense, so interests related to the job.

My CV is 3 pages + a cover summary & I don't even include my leaving cert. I don't deal with HR-agencies, as in my opinion, just red-tape nonsense
with catch-phrases like ''Team-player'' ''good communicator'' basically the copy/paste job template, who wouldn't know the difference between a router 'n a router.

You of course are entitled to feel like that but it really comes down to the interview anyway no body I know has ever got a position on the strength of their CV.
As for "lads" you know laughing at CV's that says more about them than anything else IMO.

I should add of course employers want people to be able to use their own initiative but in most roles you will be part of a team and if someone isn't right for a specific group of folk then it leads to all sorts of problems

opinion guy

Has anyone put "regular contributor to boards.ie on their CV ???

or
"Moderator on boards.ie "


:pac::pac:

The Cool

I think your personal interests say a lot about what kind of person you are and what you'd be like in your job - eg in mine I have my drama society, performing arts etc which I like to think the employer would interpret as me being a confident, assertive person. Likewise if you had down that you were into reading and crosswords, you'd probably come across as a someone who's quite quiet but an intellectual.

stateofflux

ive had to look through over 700 cv's for an admin/secretarial position advertised less than a week ago where i work .:eek:

one applicant had as his work experience: 'salad specialist: expert salad maker
& personal interests: eating (salads and other food)

also there were over 40 cv's that had 'going on mad ones with the girls' and 'watching tv' as personal interests

My name is URL

stateofflux wrote: »

also there were over 40 cv's that had 'going on mad ones with the girls' and 'watching tv' as personal interests

Idiots... honesty never pays off!

kylith

I don't have a Personal Interest section on my CV because, well, I don't think that my appetite for books, or love of crochet is ever going to be applicable in a work situation. Those sections are usually for showing how you play team sports, so you show leadership qualities, or some shít, but since I don't do any of that I left it out.

Regarding the pictures I've heard it's only a good idea if you're an attractive man. Since most HR people tend to be middle aged women any CVs with pictures of attractive young women tend to go down the pile, while handsome men go up. I don't know if it's true or not, only going by what I was told.

MaxSteele

I just say I play Astro turf regularly and like going to the cinema.

(a.k.a I sit on my hole, play xbox and get ratarsed on the weekends).

Personal interests has just become a farce for most people's cv's nowadays.

RUCKING FETARD

Sewer Diver

woodoo

Put down that you are a golfer with a handicap of about 2. You are bound to have a manager who loves golf but is crap at it and would think you are great for playing of 1 or 2.

CavanCrew

" I LOVE Harry Potter !! "

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Reading (the occasional newspaper if it's free on the Luas)
Politics (votes occasionally)
Walking and hiking (when the bus is missed or the taxi money's been drunk)

Nothing else? Boring git - no sence of creativity or idividuality.

mikemac1

stateofflux wrote: »

also there were over 40 cv's that had 'going on mad ones with the girls'

That didn't happen

1ZRed

RUCKING FETARD wrote: »

Sewer Diver

He has a great tan though

The personal interest section of the CV allows me display my bullshitting skills

marshbaboon

I currently have rape listed as a personal interest on my CV.

Not like anyone was going to hire me anyway, might aswell get a good laugh out of it.

Red Hand

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Reading (the occasional newspaper if it's free on the Luas)
Politics (votes occasionally)
Walking and hiking (when the bus is missed or the taxi money's been drunk)

Nothing else? Boring git - no sence of creativity or idividuality.

Individuality...you'll be a bit hard pressed to find something to do that no other person of the 7 billion people do, or the many billions that have gone before.:pac:

I wrote "Enjoys breathing oxyegen, loves converting carbohydrate/fats to muscle energy, actvely uses synapses to transite information in brain". Unique.:pac:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Red Hand wrote: »

Individuality...you'll be a bit hard pressed to find something to do that no other person of the 7 billion people do, or the many billions that have gone before.:pac:

I wrote "Enjoys breathing oxyegen, loves converting carbohydrate/fats to muscle energy, actvely uses synapses to transite information in brain". Unique.:pac:

I think you misunderstand the concept of "individuality".

Although, if you (generally not personally) want to look like a programmed sheep on your CV, go got it - unless you're applying to McDonald's, they won't call yo ufor an interview.

Megglet

I've always put down things related to the place I was applying to work in as my interests.
For example I applied for a summer job in a local electronics assembly factory and I went on about how much I like making things and how fascinating electronics were. Don't get me started on my passion for being punctual!

They probably thought I was a right shnake.

shruikan2553

A friend of mine said he was a "rapist" meaning someone who raps instead of "rapper"
Took him awhile to learn why he wasn't getting any calls

the_syco

They're a lottery. You may get a HR person with the same interest, and suddenly you're on the interview list. Or you could do something that the HR person hates, but never hear back from the company.

Fuhrer

Fuhrer wrote: »

When we're hiring its a good way of filtering out the people who are going to complain about working late


Recent example,

Had to work till 9 because of an issue with some client, one of the guys goes "I cant work, Ive gaa training tonight"


He was on a temp contract, it didnt become a full time contract

Yeah, how dare people have actual lives outside work. :rolleyes: I hate companies who think they own you.

I always put my interests on my CV, it's gotten me a few interviews.

phasers

I have no interests

if I put 'watching tv and baking' on my CV would people be more or less inclined to hire me?

mikemac1

When they see my county they know I'm passionate about hurling :cool:

Goes without saying, I don't even have to bring it up

B.A._Baracus

The Interests section is stupid... :P

People will generally lie or blow something out - "I regularly goto the gym" (I went once 6 months ago)... "I often play Rugby" (I havent played in over 4 years) lol.

later12

I can totally understand why employers are interested in personal interests and activities. It can show that you're not just a slouch who sits at home watching tv when your're not working; that you employ your brain, that you have sporting or alternative ambitions.

And on that note, it's not necessarily helpful to say "I read, play football and travel".

Substantiate it all with a named activity.

So instead of saying you play football, say something like "I am a keen football fan, and regularly take part in 5-a-side tournaments with work colleagues."

Or instead of saying "I like to travel", say "I enjoy travelling, and learning about different societies and cultures. I am currently learning Japanese"

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

phasers wrote: »

I have no interests

if I put 'watching tv and baking' on my CV would people be more or less inclined to hire me?

Possibly, if the job was watching TV or baking...

xylophones

stateofflux wrote: »

ive had to look through over 700 cv's for an admin/secretarial position advertised less than a week ago where i work .:eek:

one applicant had as his work experience: 'salad specialist: expert salad maker
& personal interests: eating (salads and other food)

also there were over 40 cv's that had 'going on mad ones with the girls' and 'watching tv' as personal interests

NO WAY.......who would put down that they love making a fool of themselves while under the influence? it reeks of irresponsibility and immaturity :eek:

holystungun9

Sleeping in, Communism, table tennis.

Giselle

marshbaboon wrote: »

I currently have rape listed as a personal interest on my CV.

Not like anyone was going to hire me anyway, might aswell get a good laugh out of it.

Of course you do.

cristoir

holystungun9 wrote: »

Sleeping in, Communism, table tennis.

If you where applying for a secretarial role in China's National People's Congress.

Jesse 210

marshbaboon wrote: »

I currently have rape listed as a personal interest on my CV.

Not like anyone was going to hire me anyway, might aswell get a good laugh out of it.

Horrible. Rape is never funny.

...unless the rapist is a clown

TeddyTedson

I often feel like putting something like "swinging" as a personal interest in my CV to make me seem more mature. However sadly I come across as an angst teenager with the likes, of "football", "guitar" and "drums".

fasttalkerchat

The personal interests section reminds me of writing an Irish Oral.
At the weekend I like to go to the cinema with my friends...

I have an incredibly condensed CV with no personal interests listed.

Greentopia

holystungun9 wrote: »

Sleeping in, Communism, table tennis.

Before I became mostly self-employed I once wrote Politics: Left Libertarianism on a CV. I've also written-
Permaculture,
Crafts-knitting and spinning in particular
Books
Voluntary Simplicity
Jogging
Cycling

All true btw.
I found it a good way of filtering out employers who I wouldn't be suitable to work for anyway, but I'd only write it on CVs of those who I would be really happy working for and who would understand or give a sh1t about permaculture or my craft interests :pac: I work in a narrow creative field and it did work (sometimes) and has worked recently where I knew the bosses.
I left out my politics though. Obviously that list wouldn't work in a conservative office environment. No "team building" in knitting
It's good sometimes to stand out as a bit different on a CV.-depending on your field of course.

Chloris

antodeco wrote: »

It's like cold calling, but for pigs

I lol'd.

It depends on what sort of job you're going for. I submitted a CV to a shop that sells jumpers the other day and because that wouldn't require much of a qualification, just experience, I put down the personal interests section (because I genuinely do play in a band, do volunteer work with disadvantaged people and enjoy reading and figured those interests would give a good idea about my personality). However, I submitted a CV to Apple and didn't include that section because they're more interested in your knowledge, qualifications and suitability in the business environment (rather than if you'll fit in and can make small talk).

Hoping to get a call back from at least the clothes place for an interview. It's been a while since I've done one.

Wompa1

In a few places I worked it was the section they used to weed out time wasters.

If they said they play on a sports team. They didn't get hired unless it was a county or national team that could make the company look good.

Travelling. Not so good. They'll think you'll ask for a lot of time off or extended holidays.