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.

Apparently (so I’m led to believe) absalling is considered something that shows you have an ability to listen to instructions and are brave enough to face your fears. Please don’t quote me on it though. I only found this out when I did some absalling lessons myself, so maybe it was bumf they told new recruits. (It was great fun)

MojoMoon

Horseback archery is brilliant! Sadly you can only do it if you are an experienced horse rider so that is out for me.

That is exactly the type of thing I was after though - that's amazingly unusual!

Two new things I am trying this year - British Sign Language course and a local Gaelic language course! I'm also really considering learning the violin too as it's something I've always wanted to try. A few years ago I also learned how to spin woolwhich has always been a talking point when I'm asked about my hobbies. Unusual skills means you can also teach others sometimes which looks good on a cv too.

What do you want to do and think you'll enjoy?

The person you've met may think their pilots licence is really great and everyone's super interested but I bet they're not.

I've interviewed loads of people and I can guarantee no recruiter is interested in your hobbies and outside activities. That doesn't mean that learning a new skill wouldn't be a great achievement and good for your confidence though.

FWIW it's worth if I wasn't so lazy I'd take up fencing, I fancy a bit of swachbuckling

If you have any interest at all in music, learning an instrument might be something that would do wonders for your confidence. In recent years I have never had an application form that asked for anything other than specific work related questions. But I do know that 20 years ago they nearly always had a section for non work interests. Playing music was quite a good one as it showed a level of self discipline, and playing in a group showed teamwork.

How about a local community archaeology project? They tend to be fairly niche, but don't require too much prior knowledge or skills. I've been involved in projects including medieval graffiti, WWI battlefield crosses, Georgian buildings, Black Dog sightings & WWII bombings. It's a great way to meet people if you have an interest in history. Some of it involves going out and giving talks/tours, some of it is doing things as a group, a lot of it is me frowning at a screen and swearing. I've ended up with a fairly eclectic group of friends and some knowledge on little areas of history that most people don't know. It's not worthy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's really enjoyable and when you tell people about it, they're usually interested in archaeology that isn't a muddy trench in a field in Somerset.

You seem very impressed with the pilot's license, why not try that?

Archery
Spoken word poetry
Volunteering abroad
Second language
Power lifting
Printmaking
Sculpting
Life drawing

I can vouch for several of these resulting in a, “you do ........? How long/how did you get into it etc.?”

Become a Master Vintner.
Calligraphy, maybe branching out into sign writing.

I do a sport, in the line of horseback archery (which I've also done ) which often comes up in interviews in one context or another - and it's obscure enough to be genuinely outing, too, so I'm not naming it - not that it's any use to you, OP, as it also requires passing familiarity with remaining in the saddle! I used to be a scout leader which came (and still sometimes comes up) in interviews, but definitely not for novelty value as it's pretty common. I've had some fairly off the wall stuff on my CV over the years - some obscure horse sports, and some unusual language skills, mostly.

I've known a fair few people with PPLs, but they've always been pretty tedious - unlike the international morris dancers I met at a wedding, who were bonkers and brilliant fun. I think the most important thing is finding something that you are passionate about - whether other people find it interesting and unusual or not. Genuine passion is so much more impressive than novelty value.

Loving the sound of the community archaeology too, PutUp!

People play quiditch now in real life. How about that ?

And just to say, you can also get a pilots license

Unless your friend is ten he won't call you a copy cat.

Good luck

Jousting
Battle re-enactment
Hypnotism
Dog sledding
Robot Wars

Diseases - I am ridiculously passionate about community archaeology! It has genuinely changed my life entirely in ways I could never have foreseen. And it's so often just a small group of people in a local area bonding over a biscuit tin And you're right, finding the thing you're passionate about is what makes it more than just another line on the CV. For me, medieval graffiti is what I love most, and I can talk about it for hours. Until someone sits on me and begs me to stop

Read the first word of your post putupwithrain and thought oooh, yes. Last person to get Smallpox in the UK, contracted plague on holiday in India, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Rabies....
That's all be excellent talking points at an interview! Genius 😀

That was a bit of a bold fail from me weeds But hey, if it makes you stand out at the interview...

InNeedofABoost Taking a stand up comedy course to get over a fear of public speaking would be a talking point on your CV.

Thanks for all the further ideas. Definitely a few to look into.

A number of the suggestions (life drawing, calligraphy) are more commmon/mainstream than I'm looking for.

Jousting, horseback archery, circus skills is more the kind of thing but I can't ride which I suspect is an issue.

I like the idea of community archeology which sounds interesting PutUpWithRain how do you go about finding a local group? Or any group? Is there an organisation?

I don't think I have the budget to get a pilot's licence although it is something I find ridiculously impressive.

My daughters do horseback archery! Eldest has been asked about it interviews.

There is a man in there club who started it with no riding experience and he is now quite good.

Frenchfancy I looked it up and it said you can't do it if you are an absolute beginner rider. It looks fun though.

There's loads of free courses to study on www.futurelearn.com
Try something that interests you but links into the area of work you want to do.

The thing is ... you've already mentioned things you're interested or involved in. Wouldn't it be more 'boosting' to press on and make more progress /get to the next level in one or two of those? I'm not absolutely sure that racing about trying to find something impressive would actually be terribly satisfying.

What about learning to be a Steam Engine Driver ?
If you can get transferable skills would be helpful and a boost e.g..in the Pilots role, leadership, awareness of health and safety etc

Stand up Paddle Boarding instructor?
Wild river swimming? cave diving?