'Tell is about yourself'. Does that mean what hobbies I like?

[HelenOn]

I'm a bit confused. I always thought 'tell us about yourself' was prospect-employer talk for what you're like at work, what you've achieved and your work history etc.

Not if I have children or if I like swimming naked

Is this really a thing? The application says it is.

Depends on the job role, but sometimes it can be quite relevant - shows experiences you have you might have gained skills you can bring to the role.
So, as a Scout or Guide Leader, you are used to planning and managing projects, following regulations, planning using a budget, working as part of a team, etc. As a sports coach you are used to breaking skills down and sharing them with other people - people with different levels of ability, etc.
IF you are a musician, then, depending on the role you are applying for, it might be useful in that role.

Back Oh yes, I agree. But that's the only type of thing I'd see it as relevant.

This seems a bit odd, wanting to know if you have random hobbies like keeping up your car, running around after the kids, etc.

In fact, it seems a sly way to suss if an applicant has a young family

What sort of role is it?

Screaming it's a team leader role in Asda.

Just a regular Asda job but with staff sickness and rota management added on

I always ask this when interviewing someone, and yes I would like to know whatever they'd like to tell me about themselves in terms of hobby or other aspects of their personality or life.

I don't care what the hobby or whatever is, but as we are quite a small and creative team this question will tell me more about whether they'll fit in the team than any other. I'm just looking for passion and personality. Usually at this point the interviewee will break away from their carefully pre rehearsed answers and come to life. I would like to see them light up as they tell me about a run they did, or a holiday they went on recently, or their garden, or their favourite book. I can judge a lot more about their personality with this question, than the usual 'what experience do you have of doing xyz', which we will also cover.

I'd guess that they're looking for signs you're good with people, then - so mentioning hobbies that bring you into contact with others might be good. If you organise anything as part of a hobby or a family member's hobby, or you're on a committee, that would be an ideal thing to mention.

I'd pick stuff that shows I work well in a group and have taken responsibility. e.g Secretary of the local morris dancers.

Thanks all

I feel like my previous job titles shows responsibility and working with people (I'm a PA by 'trade').

I'm not sure about person life. I'm just a Mum of 1 that likes a clean house

No real hobbies whilst DS is still so small. I've no time but I like to keep my home ticking over as perfectly as I can. It gives me a great sense of pride

I ask this in interviews. I like getting to know what candidates are like personally and can be a great way of taking the formality out the situation and can lead to some great conversations.

Can't speak for others but it would be a shit way of sussing out if they have kids etc - anyone suspicious of this wouldn't reveal it anyway.

Mead They seem to almost be enticing you to mention children with their example!

That's what made me suspicious.

I wouldn't read too much into it, retailers are well aware that the majority of women working there or applying will have kids. Just don't mention it if you're not comfortable or suspicious.

I'm a lawyer and recently moved jobs. My recruiter advised me to include a "hobbies and interests" section on my CV. I was a bit surprised because I thought that was more for creative industries, but if they're doing it in the old-school city law world it must be mainstream now.

I don't really have any hobbies either, and you can't just put "hanging out with my husband, reading novels and drinking tea", which is what I spend most of my spare time doing. I included a few sports/activities which I have done in the past and knew something about. A couple of interviewers did actually ask me about them.

I think it would be a positive to say you like doing... whatever that gets you out and meeting people and also how much pride you take in caring for your home. Perfect mix for the role.

I interview a lot and often ask this - as PP said, it's where I can see the candidate come alive and show me a bit of themselves. I think I've completed hiring processes for 6 jobs at least in the last few weeks and I genuinely have no idea whether any of the candidates have/don't have/plan to have/don't plan to have children. It makes absolutely no odds to us as we're super-flexible, but regardless of that, it's definitely not the reason behind this question. Just tell me something you care about, something you're proud of or that matters to you - in an interview it just gives me a glimpse of extra personality.