Thread: Job application: Do you have a hobby?

I think a job application is the best way to find out a bit about your potential employer. Why would you want to work for some group of judgemental sticks in the mud?Embellish that hobbiies section with references to things some may find a bit off the beaten path like underwater basket weaving, ice painting or crypto-taxidermy: Fantasy Work-Gaffs

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 Quick Orange

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!

You see to be familiar with the concept of spin. ^^

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...

You have to ask the question, why have they asked for the information from you?

I suspect they want to know that you are normal, well balanced and lead a full and enriched life.

So maybe you have a hobby, like reading, like walking and travel when your budget allows. Chasing women, going to the movies, eating out with friends, cooking, babysitting, painting, woodworking, house renovation, renovating old cars, gardening, golf, football, going to the pub, internet browsing even watching television.

I agree that talking about razors to most people is as bad as train spotting. It's normal to shave but not to talk about it. So I wouldn't mention it either in the application, the interview or even at work. People will thing you are strange. Now if someone asks you, a gentle passing reference is OK. But don't go on about it.
When was the last time you had a chat about cutting your nails either in the pub or at work?

Good luck with your quest.

For an update guys, I finished the application and handed it to a friend to look over.

Her one piece of advice:

"Take out that you frequent internet forums. It makes you look weird."

Thats most of my hobbies gone then. Perhaps I should start applying for internet forum admin jobs?

Look out Dave

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

For an update guys, I finished the application and handed it to a friend to look over.

Her one piece of advice:

"Take out that you frequent internet forums. It makes you look weird."

Thats most of my hobbies gone then. Perhaps I should start applying for internet forum admin jobs?

Look out Dave

Good advice. You also don't want them thinking you'll be doing that at work.

Jordan

Go with carpentry and metalwork. So few people these days can do it that it looks pretty good.

I am a firm believer in come as you are. If they ask that on an application, they want to know because they DON'T want boring employees. If you state your hobby in a way that isn't scary (mentioning restoring, shaving, antiques, etc.) then it cannot be bad for you. It will show your passion for something and more often than not, when people know that about me they get fascinated. I wouldn't leave it off the application completely but it's not me who is applying for the job.

On a related note– I was once interviewing at a temp. agency. Very formal thing. While I was getting interviewed I stopped the lady and asked her in a non-degrading way if she actually enjoyed her job. She was kind of taken aback but I went on to explain how a lot in that industry seemed so phony. She started laughing about it and talking honestly with me. Turns out it was pretty much the most interesting interview she'd ever given. After that she started calling me on a daily basis and I became her best/favorite temp ever. So take that however you'd like lol.