What's the oddest thing you've seen listed on a CV?

[FelicityShagsWell]

What's the weirdest thing you've seen on a CV? I received one in application for a job and they had put a hobbies section in which they'd listed "smoking".

That's a rather horrid way to describe travelling!

I think the point here though is that it doesn't matter what you think of travelling and whether it's enriching or just a statement of fact re an employment gap

Some interviewers on here are SOOO far up their corporations asses that they don't want truthful CVs at all. People must not show that they ever do ANYTHING that isn't for the greater good of their careers. Whilst at the same time showing no gaps.

If they spent that year travelling they spent that year travelling. For fun. For laziness, to cry over your ex, whatever.

Now it's out of their system and their ready to work

I think I know him…

He wasn’t a particularly good psychic if he didn’t know you were going to reject his applications, @SlayTheJAway!

Not a CV but at an interview one candidate was asked to get himself comfortable (before we started asking questions). He wriggled down the chair (it was once of those cushioned chairs) until he was almost horizontal with his head resting on the back (which was usually in between shoulder blades) and stretched his legs out in front of him. He stayed like that for entire interview. The final question was always ‘Do you have any faults?’ He replied that his wife says he’s too laid/ back. A number of the interview panel and myself had real difficulty not laughing! He didn’t get the job.

It’s also a reason for applying for absolutely anything and everything regardless of your suitability which is clearly what was happening. So no, not nonsense at all, but we do appreciate it when people make the effort to look at our website, read our press releases and sound engaged and interested in our business. We can tell the difference between that and a love letter.

Do you not realise that nobody WANTS to be in a position where you have to apply to 100s of jobs to get one? That's why people are less likely to swat up on every company. They probably started off doing that 232 applications ago!

But it's also the reason why the same people are incredibly grateful when they DO get something and are likely to stay put.

The current job market creates a power imbalance that some corporate types are using to behave disgustingly towards job hunters.

That example wasn't funny, like this thread was supposed to be. It was just the woman's situation.

Whatever <shrugs>

Someone listed under special skills “burping on command”. It was on a performer’s CV and it is really different in that world - not uncommon to see firebreathing etc listed there’. However, I have to say that’s the only time I’ve seen burping listed!

"In my spare time I enjoy hiking, wine and group activities"

In fairness, 'wine' can be a proper hobby if you learn about it, go to tastings, collect rare wines etc. But possibly more one to mention at interview (if asked) than on your CV so you can explain it properly!

You try learning it! That’s definitely a skill

Bwahahahaha wtf.

Salad Manager
They’d previously worked in a sandwich shop.

I work at a university and sometimes have to read applicant CVs. My favourite one started “My name is X and I have not had an achievement in the whole of my life”!
Also quite enjoyed having to leave a message for an applicant whose answerphone message informed me that he couldn’t pick up because he was balancing a bird on his balls…

Qapla!

Can the previous posters please stop arguing or start a new thread. You're derailing a really good thread.

I know someone who had 'human cannonball' on theirs. 💣

Job title: Father Christmas

Also Sandwich Artist. Subway has a lot to answer for.

Depends on the group activities!

Something to discuss at the interview stage I suppose.

Always laugh when my hometown is mentioned somewhere unexpected. Didn't think id see it mentioned on mumsnet!

A guy once sent a cv in to me for quite a senior position at the company with a whole paragraph about how he played golf so much he had repetitive strain injury in his elbow….. ok Arnold palmer? And? 😂

Now they just ask where do you see yourself in 5 years time 😂

I used to put on marital status because a CV book suggested it.