Job application: Do you have a hobby?

To me, an interesting cultural difference is showing up here. I've dealt lately with a few organizations that require looooooong online application forms besides the resume and cover letter, and as far as I can recall, none of them ask about hobbies--my impression has been that in the U.S. they typically don't. (Or it could be just the types of employers I'm approaching.) In general, though, if I do mention any personal interests in the initial materials I'm sending, what I mention and how I phrase it depends on the position I'm applying for. The music library gets to hear about my performing and composing; the natural history museum doesn't, necessarily. If the form asks you specifically, that's another matter, and I think there is some good advice in the thread about how to phrase your responses effectively.

Putting yourself mentally in the places of the HR screener and the hiring manager (in a large organization, they are not the same people) is a basic key. That can be difficult, but you've got to try to do that.

~Rich

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Originally Posted by sidneykidney

:thinking: Why is previous WORK experience in a slaughterhouse a bad thing? It sounds voluntary. Surely any voluntary work looks good on a CV? Did the employer think 'oh no! a mad axe wielding butcher has come to get this job so he can go postal on us!'

No.

What was the job you/your friend/ the person was applying for anyway?

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I disagree with the rationale for not hiring him as much as you. I was merely trying to point out that petty prejudices among supposedly educated and rational people can blow an otherwise completely innocent person out of the water. That is why I would caution against mentioning a hobby such as collecting straight razors unless one is applying for a job that has some relationship to them. I know it is not right and irrational but it is reality.

The job the person was was applying for? It wasn't me, nor a friend, nor anyone I knew. It was in the accounting department at an insurance company. The candidate was not applying for any particular position, just any openings for which he might be qualified. His resume was circulated, and to me, he looked worth talking to, but the VP had an uneasy feeling about anyone who was comfortable in a slaughterhouse environment. It just didn't "set too well" with him.

But it doesn't really matter what kind of job they are applying for, these things can happen anywhere. You never know when you are going to strike a raw nerve with some people.

When I got out of the armed forces in 1980 I know damn well I didn't get a lot of interviews because of the anti-military bias at the time.

I bet the VP had had a few odd jobs in his time. Everyone starts somewhere. Hell even the president spent time working for a law firm. Look how many people forgave him for that! :D

I list Straight Razors as a skill on my acting resumé. I also list Hovercraft Pilot. :D

X

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Originally Posted by droche

I disagree with the rationale for not hiring him as much as you. I was merely trying to point out that petty prejudices among supposedly educated and rational people can blow an otherwise completely innocent person out of the water. That is why I would caution against mentioning a hobby such as collecting straight razors unless one is applying for a job that has some relationship to them. I know it is not right and irrational but it is reality.

The job the person was was applying for? It wasn't me, nor a friend, nor anyone I knew. It was in the accounting department at an insurance company. The candidate was not applying for any particular position, just any openings for which he might be qualified. His resume was circulated, and to me, he looked worth talking to, but the VP had an uneasy feeling about anyone who was comfortable in a slaughterhouse environment. It just didn't "set too well" with him.

But it doesn't really matter what kind of job they are applying for, these things can happen anywhere. You never know when you are going to strike a raw nerve with some people.

When I got out of the armed forces in 1980 I know damn well I didn't get a lot of interviews because of the anti-military bias at the time.

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+1
Hiring is such a crap shoot. You never know what is going to turn someone off. Because you almost never know who is looking at your resume.

IMO I figure I'm going to be me, (I'm a relatively normal guy) if they don't want an honest hard working guy who has a good education, bilingual, live to shoot guns and positive work experience everywhere I work because I like eating stuff I killed (hunting and fishing) or other various hobbies, like sw fish tanks, or shaving with a str8 then I probably won't fit in good there anyway. I don't play the stupid people game. And it saves me the trouble of having to find another new job.

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Originally Posted by xman

I list Straight Razors as a skill on my acting resumé. I also list Hovercraft Pilot. :D

X

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I think actors tend to be in a special place where the more weird/odd/atypical things you can do the better:w My brother is currently getting into stage combat for his resume, then I think he plans on getting street motorcycle racing classes. Actors...:rolleyes:

(really I'm just jealous. street racing classes? who says no to that?)