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.

Clay shooting?

Good fun, satisfying and frustrating in equal measure. Doesn't have to take up much time if you don't want it to unless you get competitive.

From a CV perspective it shows you are level headed and trustworthy (you own guns after all) and, much like golf courses, a lot of business happens while shooting.

I'm generally asked about it on my CV.

Do you have any STEM skills/experience? If so you could apply to be a STEM Ambassador. I do this and it's great fun!

www.allaboutstem.co.uk/stemnet/ambassadors-programme/

My dh is a 'qualified' (I use the '' because it's a shockingly under-regulated area) hypnotherapist.

He did a one year course in his spare time plus has done further modules and learning - he also does plenty of practice with family and friends and is able to put people 'under' as his party trick.

His job is nothing to do with it, he just was fascinated by the concept of hypnosis and thoroughly enjoyed learning it. He's only been on one interview since he put it on his CV and talked about it for ages at interview (at their request) and got the job.

@InNeedofABoost I joined a circus school and there are people of all shapes and sizes. It's fantastic for developing skills and trust in people.

How about solo travel? This has been good for my CV. I have gone solo camping in African countries, I plan holidays by picking a country and booking 1 night in a hostel then going where my fancy takes me. People are always surprised and amazed, saying I don't look like the sort to do this! It is great for the confidence too. Happy for PM if you want to know more.

Good luck!

What about field archery or 3d archery. I shot a zombie in the eye (twirls). Even the teenage son was impressed. Longbow less mainstream than recurve target shooting.

OP, I do CV screening and interviewing as part of my job for a large multi national company. I doubt it's being a pilot which gets himself jobs rather than the skills it entails and shows he's capable of. I wouldn't worry about anything eye catching and if you're seriously going to invest time and money into something for CV purposes, make sure it's going to get you what you want and not just be gimmicky. No idea what line of work you're in or looking for, but think skills first and the what will give you them. Sorry for the dull answer, hope I haven't missed the point as everyone else's answers are so much more fun

Do people still include these on CVs??

Surely it isn't the done thing to put hobbies in CV these days?

Ha- x-posted there.

Boost I tumbled into community archaeology completely by accident, but if you google your local area with community archaeology/history/local history societies/groups/talks, I bet you'll be amazed by how much goes on that we never really hear about. You can turn up to a one hour talk from someone who is the UK's expert in , and it'll either be free or cost about £1.50, with biscuits included And from that, get involved with the bits that spark your interest. This has been my most loved project to date: medieval-graffiti.co.uk/ and I've made excellent friends and impressive contacts from it - not what I was aiming to do, but it's been a happy side effect.

Whereabouts are you? I'm in East Anglia, so know what's going on here, but I'm aware of quite a few groups across the UK. Some very specific, but most have quite a few projects on the go, so you can just sign up for the bits you find interesting - no commitment, no cost, just being involved in something a lot of people wouldn't be, and it really is brilliant.

Running has strengthened my CV in numerous ways. I'm fit, which employers like, I compete as part of a team in the County Cross Country Championships, I've trained as a run leader and lead/coach groups on club nights and I'm a committee member and treasurer. Ticks so many boxes and always gets discussed at interviews.