Something interesting about myself- for a job application

[Allthenameshavegone1972]

I've had a nice, conventional life, nothing out of the ordinary. Seen a job advert for a nice place & I can do the job hands down. In the advert they're asking for applicants to put something interesting about themselves that may not be on their CV. Like what? I would have thought the ability to do the job & fit in with the team would be the most important thing

What a daft and annoying question. I would make something up if nothing comes to mind. Nothing too outlandish though.

On another similar thread someone suggested saying you are writing a novel in your spare time.

Watch some Bob Mortimer stories on would I lie to you and channel him when you answer the question?

I hate nonsense like this … I’ve had it before in ice breaking sessions and I normally make something up like I’m into scuba diving (had about 2 lessons many years ago).

Have you got any ‘party tricks’ like getting a leg behind your head? Any special skills? Loved in a haunted house as a kid?

Have you got a second language? A dish you can cook amazingly well?

Any interesting hobbies like volunteering at a hedgehog rescue centre, restoring old books, following a band? Playing an instrument or singing?

I’m sure you have lots of interesting traits and qualities, pick something you would be pleased to talk about at your interview and that will show off your passion and light you up during the discussion.

I could tell you… but then I’d have to kill you.

It doesn't have to be exciting - you're taking the word interesting very literally. Rephrase it as, tell us something about yourself outside of work, for example do you have pets or a hobby?

It's just something like this:
My favourite genre of book is x, I read x no. last year
I travelled to x place in my gap year
I love dogs and have two
My favourite food is wasabi
My aunt is a famous ice-skater
My favourite holiday destination is Egyt. I enjoy visiting the pyramids.
My favourite holiday destination is the cotswolds (add reason)
I'm a keen boardgame player and have a large collection
I love action movies - my favourite is..
I used to play guitar (add extra detail)

If you genuinely have no hobbies or pets or haven't watched any interesting movies, played board games or been on holiday I do suggest you live a bit more ;)

It's true though, everyone is writing a novel in their spare time.

A lot of those things aren’t interesting though.

And if you think they are I do suggest you live a bit more 😉

Just say you can do the splits.

What if they ask for a demonstration at interview? 😂

I had a dream last night that I could (to my surprise in the dream) do the splits. It’s not the first time I’ve had that dream!!

Try to find something that shows you in a vaguely positive light. If you've done volunteering or fundraising for charity, that would be good - 'I abseiled down a phone box and raised £50,000 for the local hospice' - that kind of thing. Or failing that, just something harmless but a bit quirky, e.g. 'I collect hedgehog figurines'

Contrary to the popular belief, I think questions luke this are important, the vibe of a team, the whole dynamic can be ruined by one a£&hole, you have to try and find them before you let them in.

If you don't think you have anything "interesting " then say something about you, yourself, when you were young - what's you "funny story" you tell at parties, what's the "omg, ive got to tell you what happened " story? Are any of those able to fit this?

Questions like this are trying to understand who you are, not just what you can do, if I'm interviewing- i know a CV, I know skills - blah... so what, who are you?

It's all comparative. I'm not that interesting - I used to be but these days I like a snooze. Plus the most interesting thing about me is probably the sheer amount of things I'm slightly good at - a proper jack of all trades - and that in of itself would send the wrong message 🤣

I don't think they're actually assessing how interesting op is. They're just looking to know OP has a personality. But equally maybe OP isn't the worlds most interesting person then just do your best and if that's what the company is judging you on, it's not for you. Or you could be witty and put, the most interesting thing about me is I don't consider myself unusually interesting. However, I am great at getting the job done.

There's a guy online who teaches anyone to do the splits. You could find it and learn in time so it's true!!

I think I'd be tempted to say that the most interesting thing about me is quite how average and easy going I am!

Just make something up that they are unlikely to demand you demonstrate in an interview, especially if it's something you did in the past but wouldn't be expected to do now like:

You were best in your school at shot-putting.
You were a contestant on Gladiators, but the live touring show not the TV series so they can't check.

Or something that sounds specific but is actually very vague like:
You're a keen promoter of hedgehog preservation

I would avoid mentioning things like third nipples or webbed toes….
Maybe laugh and state that you have killed every single houseplant you’ve ever owned. You can’t believe that you managed to raise kids, but not plants.

But saying one interesting thing doesn't really tell people if you're an arsehole Unless the interesting thing is 'Someone brushed past me in Tesco and I followed them home and put dog shit through their letterbox.'

Or cycling. I guess 'I wear Lycra and cycle the Olympic route every Sunday' would be an immediate no for lots of people.

And if you can’t, say you can’t.
I know we’d chuckle at work if someone’s interesting fact was that they couldn’t do the splits 😂

“I used to have a gerbil called Lionel
Richie”

”I was named after my mum’s hairdresser”

”I prefer Lidl chocolate to Lindt”

I couldn't- I'd just feel nervous at the interview- are they going to ask me about that hedgehog thing?!

Sure it does

One interesting thing about me is I'm great at everything.

Yeah the aunt ones terrible. Must be something in there though.