to ask for ideas to improve me and my CV (extra curricular activities)

[InNeedofABoost]

I recently met someone who had a pilot's licence, They said that they are always quizzed about it at interviews and are convinced that the unusual factor has helped them get interviews and jobs.

I'm looking for a new hobby of that type that (a) I will enjoy and (b) is CV impressive and (c) slightly unusual.

Has anyone got any ideas?

I'm being serious and also feeling a bit inadequate after bullying at work so please be kind! I was thinking that trying to learn a new skill like this could help me rebuild my confidence in myself.

What do you like doing?

Couple of people I know are studying with the open University and are always asked about that in interviews. It's surprisingly affordable, compared to other types of study, and can do it in the evenings. It shows a real dedication to continuing development which is always good with employers

What sort of thing are you looking for - active? Craft? Charity? What sort of things do you like doing?

Volunteer at a local RSPCA centre, join a rambling group, learn Japanese, help back stage at an amateur dramatics society, go bell ringing?

Maybe sign up for a course -golf lesson?

I pretty much like doing anything that is a real challenge. I did a stand up comedy course because I was scared of it for example.

I enjoy arts and theatre - but I'm loking for something that I don't already do that is wow factor that people will take note of on a CV like a pilot's license.

I meant something I'd enjoy in the sense of it not being labour effort/a drag -so not like studying for a degree in mathematics or running a marathon.

Maybe there is just nothing like a pilots licence fo that impressive CV wow factor.

Definitely do something you enjoy primarily! A few suggestions to get you started- a martial art, circus skills/ trapeze, horse riding, windsurfing, tap dancing? There are so many lovely things to try- hope you get a lot of pleasure from your new hobbies.

Study for something.

Volunteer and take on a position of responsibility like managing other volunteers, finances or bring a trustee.

But I've never asked any candidate about hobbies. I'm not sure it makes much difference unless it is your first job and you have no real experience to draw on so bring involved in an activity or group of all you have.

What sort of thing are you looking for - active? Craft? Charity?

Petalflowers - really any ideas for anything that is at that kind of wow factor level.

sport, craft, charity are all things I've done before and are very mainstream. almost every CV will have that on.

Anything - that is just different and impressive. Maybe working towards a qualification - but not one that is super-academic. So pilots licence as opposed to degree in rocket science.

I think do a stand up comedy course because you were scared of it is the thing you're looking for! Thats sounds really interesting and then I'd ask you questions about it if I was interviewing you.

do=doing

Scuba diving
Windsurfing
Basketball

Learn to,do,lighting/sound engineering at theatre

Morris dancing! (There’s a lot of female troupes around)

Volunteer and take on a position of responsibility like managing other volunteers, finances or bring a trustee.

MojoMoon - I do this already and am a trustee of two small charities.

This isnt' the sort of thing I'm looking for though. I 'was just after a brainstorming for the impressively unusual.

It's something unusual. I mean how many people do you know who volunteer? I know loads. How many people do you know who have a pilot's licence (who aren't professional pilots)? I've met one.

Maybe a better question is have you ever had the same reaction as described to someone telling you "I do x in my spare time" (wow impressive and never/really heard of that before)

Polly - ooh circus skills/trapeze sounds great. Although an elephant on a trapeze might be novel!

Petal morris dancing - again that's a bit different - but I think people might think "weird Wickerman" rather than impressive!

I treked through Tibet to Everest base camp a few years ago... that’s always a conversation starter? Maybe a unique challenge type thing.... cycle the Sahara, climb table mountain for charity etc?

There’s nothing wrong with learning a new skill. And I do hope the bullying at your workplace has been resolved

Here are some suggestions:

• Learning a new language
• Getting involved in your local community
• Volunteering and/or fundraising
• Trying new sports activities and then you can stick to the ones you enjoy

I doubt they got interviews because of their hobby. I don't even have hobbies on my CV as it's pointless to include it, I think you're overthinking the influence hobbies on a CV have. They'll be asked about it at the interview because the people interviewing them know nothing else about them.

I think you just need to be yourself and stop looking for something that you think may look super impressive and make you look 'cool and interesting'. Having something like that on your CV won't generally get you interviews and jobs. Outside interests are really just about showing you're a well rounded person and getting a feel for you

biker

It's not just about CV points. It's because I want to improve my own self confidence too.

I'd really appreciate any other ideas anyone has.

I probably know more people with pilot licences than trustees, and wouldn't think it impressive in an interview context. Just that they had a lot of spare cash. Fire eating?

I often ask people about hobbies! It is a great icebreaker to get people chatting and comfortable, and yes I interview for senior level jobs as well as junior! It saves inane chit chat about the journey there while you settle them in and make them comfortable "I was just looking at your CV and knife throwing sounds fabulous, how on earth did you get into that" A throwaway comment with a simple honest response while coats come off and water is poured. unless of course they have made up the knife throwing in which case they are sweating.

Just saw your update. Here are some hobbies that according to UK Business Insider apparently standout on a résumé. Might give you some ideas if it helps with your confidence. But there have been a lot of great suggestions so far so it depends on whether you really want do it or not

I think 'volunteering' or 'learn a language' are a bit woolly. It could mean you went once and never again. Part of the pilot's licence thing is the fact that it is an objective verification of your skills. Do you want something similar - getting belts in martial arts, scuba or snorkelling licence, referee/umpire qualification, etc.

Or a 'counting' hobby. Visiting every County in the country, sampling the beer in every Kings Head, climbing all the Munroes ...
You'll have lots to talk about!

I put rock climbing on my cv once, using it to demonstrate team work,forward planning (you're stuffed if you're not thinking many steps ahead) +!problem solving etc.etc.
It was actually quite impressive
But.....was it true?
Not telling!blush]

Raqs Sharqui - Egyptian dance. It's a folksy version of belly dance, no need to bare your midriff either, at least not with the teacher I had classes with for a few years. Great fun too, and I still know how to shake my hips!

Horseback archery

www.horsebackcombat.co.uk/