Right now, there are a lot of applicants for each job! It important to optimise your CV to ensure you stand out from the crowd and secure an interview.
Merritt Recruitment can help with tweaking your CV, and we can also help you with interview prep, including presentations and assessments.
We are seeing a trend where candidates do not include ‘Hobbies & Interests’ but this is a way to give some insight into your personality and make your CV more memorable.
Why would this be important?
You might not perfectly fit a job specification however a shared hobby with your future manager may just get you selected for interview! Listing your main hobbies & interests is a golden opportunity to stand out from the crowd, and here are the reasons why:
Showcasing Your Personality:
Hobbies & interests provide employers with insights into your personality, beyond just your professional qualifications. Including these helps humanize you and gives potential employers a glimpse of who you are outside of work.
Differentiation
In a very competitive job market, having unique hobbies or interests can help you stand out from other candidates. It can make your CV memorable and catch the attention of hiring managers.
Conversation Starters
Shared hobbies or interests can serve as conversation starters during an interview or networking event. If the interviewer shares a similar hobby, it can create rapport and make the conversation more engaging.
Demonstrating Skills
Some hobbies can showcase relevant skills that can be transferred to the workplace. For example, if you enjoy participating in team sports, it might indicate your ability to work well in a team environment.
Highlighting Work-Life Balance
Including hobbies can demonstrate that you have a well-rounded life and can manage your time effectively. Employers often appreciate candidates who have a healthy work-life balance as it can lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
Passion and Commitment
Pursuing hobbies with dedication and enthusiasm shows that you are passionate and committed to activities outside of work. This can reflect positively on your overall work ethic and dedication.
Cultural Fit
Some hobbies and interests can also align with the company's culture or values. For instance, if the company promotes a healthy lifestyle, including fitness-related hobbies can be seen as a positive attribute.
A word of warning…..
It's essential to be selective when listing hobbies on your CV. While some can add value and make you a more appealing candidate as we’ve already demonstrated, others might not be relevant or could even have a negative impact. For example, listing hobbies that are potentially controversial or those that could be seen as time-consuming might not be wise.
Summary
Remember, the primary focus of your CV should be your professional qualifications, work experience, and relevant skills. Hobbies and interests should be a supplemental aspect and only included if they enhance your overall presentation as a candidate. If you have limited space on your CV, prioritise professional information over personal interests.
If you would like some help in fine tuning your CV, or tips on prepping for interviews, then please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.