Thread: Job application: Do you have a hobby?

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

This is an A4 blank page the same size as the professional statement. It needs to be filled. I suspect they are after the kind of stuff you'd put on a personnel webpage. It says information 'you'd be willing to share with other staff, users and carers.' Its a job as counsellor.

Meh. Whatever.

Volunteer work you did.

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.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I only made a resume once (for my current job)

*through gritted teeth* I'm very pleased for you. (Seriously I am, but i've been unemployed for 6 months now. Its tough hearing things like that. I've been in 12 jobs in the last decade for various reasons.

Originally Posted by Stuggi

A little word wizardry, and you've almost certainly nailed the job.

*snaps pencil*

Originally Posted by Bruno

Volunteer work you did.

Thats already on the application form in a seperate section. The form is 10 pages long.

And I have to do two by Friday! Gah!

I wouldn't write it on an application, but if it comes up in an interview, I might say something about collecting antique shaving paraphernalia.

Jordan

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

*through gritted teeth* I'm very pleased for you. (Seriously I am, but i've been unemployed for 6 months now. Its tough hearing things like that. I've been in 12 jobs in the last decade for various reasons.

Sorry. I didn't intend to aggravate you. I mentioned it only to show my relative inexperience in resume writing.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

Thats already on the application form in a seperate section. The form is 10 pages long.

And I have to do two by Friday! Gah!

I am starting to see the problem here. Most resumes and applications are usually just 2 pages, so it is easy enough to condense your information so that only the good stuff is left.
10 pages...

How about any books you read related to your field of expertise. It's always good to show that you keep up to date with new stuff in your field. It makes you look as someone who really likes doing what he does, instead of doing the time necessary for your pay.

Are there perhaps documentaries, tv programs or radio shows you follow that could be explained as on-topic for your new job?

I wouldn't answer it at all. Keep your work and private lives separate, and you'll be a lot happier.

I wouldn't post it as a hobby, It's a personal lifestyle that does not need to be shared up front Although if you are into restoration of any type. That could be considered a hobby that shows that you are able to complete projects and know how to follow through on commitments. Even if it is just cleaning razors up that you get off ebay you could consider that basic restoratons.

Why not use the ebay terminology and say you collect "barberiana"?

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.