Thread: Job application: Do you have a hobby?

No one said you had to be straight forward. You know what I said when they asked me about it? Carpentry (scales) and metalwork (honing, grinding). My interviewer asked me what I did with it specifically, and I just said ornamental heirloom knives, besides other carpentry and metalwork. It's not a lie, but you can get away with heirloom knives far easier than straight razors.

I know a guy that got a great job because he listed mountain biking on his application under hobbies. It turned out the head honcho that read the applications also did mountain biking. Bada bing!

Originally Posted by Bruno

Or maybe you can mention 'collecting old style shaving gear'. You can talk a lot about soaps and brushes, and if asked you can mention that you own a couple of straights (you collect shaving stuff) and that you have used them a couple of times.
That way it doesn't seem like you are obsessed with knives and sharp objects.

A Job application is your commercial to sell yourself, so you certainly want you show yourself in the best light possible. Hobbies show you as a real person and help you to stick out in their mind. It also shows that you have some ambition and interests and you don't just go home from work and drink beer and watch television. If you were applying for a job at an antique store, your knowledge of vintage straights would be a HUGE asset. For a "normal" job { what is normal }, I like Bruno's approach. It seems like most people collect something and by grouping the straights into a larger category ie. antique shaving gear, it doesn't sound quite so "off the wall" nor as dangerous.

Studies have shown that HR people when going through numerous resumes tend to ignore the long ones simply because they don't have time to read through all that stuff. You should be able to highlight your accomplishments in two pages.

As far as straights go I wouldn't list it. Most would not consider it a hobby anyway.

I'm not gonna list straight razor shaving as a hobby. I never was. But if HR dont want a 10 page application then they shouldnt issue a 10 page application form!

There is a subtle difference between a CV or resume and an application form. I have made both and my CV is two pages long. The former includes 5 or 6 pages covering equal opportunity forms, criminal conviction forms, guaranteed interview forms..... the list goes on.

I fricking hate applications. My handwritting is atrocious (it is actually classified as a disability but...) And I have a resume that I spent a lot of time putting together. The only reason many businesses use applications is because they want to avoid personality differences. My list of hobbies would get me excluded from most any job:

I used to smoke and collect tobacco
I like guns
I do martial arts
I train dogs Sometimes considered "attack" dogs
I stick a sharp piece of steel to my throat and scrape it around every day.
I go to church every week

Do I get the job? or sent to and asylum? or does the interviewer feel uncomfortable aroound me without a body guard?

Good afternoon sir. Come in, sit down, welcome to your interview. Now, lets have a look at this application....

What can you tell me about yourself?

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I used to smoke and collect tobacco

A man who appreciates tradition? Not a healthy habit but collecting can be therapeutic...

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I like guns

Ah yes. A man who values his own personal freedom and who is a good patriot. I like it.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I do martial arts

You keep in shape I see. Physical fitness is important. Excellent.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I train dogs Sometimes considered "attack" dogs

Compassionate with animals. Something to be commended- a rare comodity sir!

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I stick a sharp piece of steel to my throat and scrape it around every day.

Many men do shave, its not uncommon. Dont know why you mentioned it to be honest...

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I go to church every week

Do I get the job?

Get out.

You didn't really have my choice in your poll, so I chose the RAD one.

As a former supervisor/interviewer I was interested in the answers to these questions. There's a lot more to the answers than you can see by taking the question at face value. If you told me you collected straight razors, this doesn't mean you're a boring guy who hoards pieces of sharp metal. It tells me you have an eye for detail; maybe you'd be good at visual inspection or quality control. Do you hone or do restoration? You're good with your hands and might be able to carry out precise tasks. Do you SHAVE with these razors? That obviously tells me you're good with your hands; not everyone can do it. Hobbies are passions, and there's a lot more that goes into their pursuit than what you see on the surface. You are a researcher, an archiver, a gatherer of knowledge, a student, a teacher, and a communicator. I know I've missed some points, but you get the idea.

Don't sell yourself, or your passions, short.

Don

i always mention straight shaving and my razors every chance i get, and yes i would put it on a job app. why should we be the only ones who get to enjoy str8 shaving? i say spread the wealth and inform those who do not know about all the positives there are compared to a junk3 and they will have an heirloom or 10 to pass on to thier kids

Originally Posted by icedog

...or crypto-taxidermy: Fantasy Work-Gaffs

With the somewhat impressive congenital abnormality that Mr Toes has, I bet he's quaking in his (puss in) boots!

If I were an employer, I would shortlist and warn others about anyone that lists crypto-taxidermy as a hobby. Come to think of it, I would probably call security to have that person thrown out and hire a hitman as well...