...to include personal interests on CV?

[MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast]

Just wondering if this is still a thing? I know it used to be years ago...but then again decades ago we included photographs on CVs (!!!)

Do you do it? If you regularly interview people then what are your thoughts on people who do include personal interests?

I'm not talking about stating that personal interests are "going out and staying in, restaurants and gym"....but rather societies, charities, groups, exams/certifications for hobbies (such as PADDI diving things), performing arts etc

YABU - it is cringe to include personal interests and I don't do it.

YANBU - I find it interesting and puts some personality to the person behind the page.

Hmm it depends what they are!

Volunteer trustee for a charity interesting and relevant.

A section saying something like ‘I enjoy running and football’ makes it seem like a dating profile…

It depends how much work experience you've got and what kind of role you're applying for.

I have done a lot of interviewing. As others have said, it can vary. However... one of the things you are normally keen to do (for MOST interviews) is put the candidate at ease... One of the ways of doing this is finding common ground to talk about ("Hey - I can see you enjoy board games! Have you tiede Catan?") that is not directly interview related.

As such, from myside, a couple of interesting facts add to the CV. Too much (and this IS most definitely subjective!!!) can indeed look like a dating profile.

Good luck!

Tried*

Hobbies and interests yes. No more than three or four. When interviewing I'd ask a little as an icebreaker. Particularly if relevant or helpful for an overall picture.
Ideally something active/sporting even if walking, something semi academic - reading and something unique to you - maybe not mud wrestling.....

I'm a recruiter and I think for new grads and people early into their careers it can be very helpful. It gives a bit of insight to personal development efforts, team work etc. Later into an established career I don't really think it's necessary or adds anything.

I haven't done a CV to apply for a job for years but on our corporate ones we have a standard section for community involvement so i've included my volunteer work on that. I think if you actually do a hobby and are willing to talk about it then it's a good thing to include and can make a good icebreaker, but don't make up things you loosely like the idea of for the sake of it!

Yes depends what it is. “Collecting bagpuss memorabilia” failed to impress me recently…

I used to work in recruitment and I've worked in university careers departments, we do advise adding in personal interests and hobbies as well as adding any certifications etc you may have achieved in your spare time. It gives your employer a good idea of you as a person.

Just at the end, a few bullet points only. Nothing too involved!

Depends on the type of job, I think. I know DP does a lot of interviewing and likes it when people include hobbies, because a lot of the people she interviews are young recent grads and often it's hard to get them to talk. In my field, it would be considered weird and unprofessional. So definitely check with someone in your actual line of work!

@tunnocksreturns2019

Yes depends what it is. “Collecting bagpuss memorabilia” failed to impress me recently…

I interview upwards of 15 candidates per week.

If I am honest, I never look at their 'personal interests' section. I will ask them during the call to give an introduction and tell me a bit about themselves, and then engage with their answer though.

I have employed many many people over the years into professional roles. I wouldn’t expect or want to see hobbies on a CV.

Only if related to the job you are applying for.
So say you are applying to be caretaker of a castle. You have your work experience, education, qualifications.

But if your hobby is say medieval re-enactment and you belong to an archaeological society...well yes add that in as it shows you would likely enjoy the job and value historical conservation as a person.

But if you’re applying to be Finance director and your hobby is training your chihuahua for dog shows, and you belong to a wild swimming club. Then, no don’t bother, don’t include that section at all because you will be judged!

I do, because I've been on a committee and a steering party related to it, and when I used them for competency-based answers when it wasn't on my CV I found I had to explain the hobby first!

In a previous job i was in an admin support role was advertised & a lovely lady, maybe early 40's applied detailing all of her school achievements & her current interests in some detail. I had been asked to screen the applications.
So it was like sporting awards when she was a teen, right through to her then involvement with square dancing. My then boss thought it all hilarious but sadly she didnt get the job. I remember thinking that maybe if was a return to work job for her from family stuff & she had lots of time to fill in the gaps for.

The last job I applied for I did include hobbies, largely because the hobby was relevant to the job role, and I knew I had very little relevant work experience. So it let them know that I did have some knowledge to bring to the role.

It worked, I got the job.

I didn't add hobbies that I didn't feel were relevant though.

I don’t because I don’t see the point! Seemed more relevant when applying for first jobs after Uni, or in the early years.

Now I just put relevant things

Only if it's relevant to the role, otherwise it's crass.

So if you are a treasurer for a local club, and you are looking for a job that will involve a bit of bookeeping - fine. Or if your hobby is conservation and you're looking for work in that sector - fine.

I actually think companies should specify that they DO NOT want to hear about personal interests in applications unless relevant, because personal interests often indicate class background etc.

What assumptions would you make about someone who listed skiing, horse riding and rugby, compared to someone who listed darts and football?

Thinking about it and I have seen some applications where people put their hobbies in their cover letter, but not on their CV. I think same rule applies- must be relevant to the job and show extra knowledge or passion that would make you stand out from other similarly qualified applicants.

It can be a good clue as to how well someone would fit into a team, though as suggested above that is perhaps more to do with class.

They can be good talking points and pique the interviewer’s interests. Nice to include if there’s space but not wholly necessary say.

@tunnocksreturns2019

Yes depends what it is. “Collecting bagpuss memorabilia” failed to impress me recently…

I quite liked Bagpuss.

But I can top that:

"making Pagan Wiccan dolls".
Straight in the bin

I think they just provide a reason - sometimes irrational - to rule out a candidate before interview, and suggest that they don’t have enough relevant experience.

If you've just finished school and have no experience other than being at school; yes. After that; no.