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

Say you're regional champion at underwater basket weaving

I could say "once I had a pet snail" and go from there. He was an African land snail and I had him for 8 years. I took him to work once or twice for a "show and tell" for a manager's idea of corporate crap.

I had a terrible interview once. Woman opposite me set the tone (of me inwardly thinking 'WTF?!' by sitting opposite me, no desk separating us, and tucking both hands down the waistband of her huge elasticated black skirt as she barked 'tell us something interesting about YOU!'

I just stared at her and said ' well what sort of thing do you want to know? I could be half way through telling you a story about my cat only to find out that that's not what you meant at all'

So yeah. Terrible all round and went downhill from there

I'd play safe. You don't want to be dull but you also don't want to be all zany. Go for the middle ground of 'I set myself a 100 book reading challenge every year and try and beat it by one each year'

Actually that's a bit boring .

Go with telling them a pet anecdote

Do you have a hobby? Speak a language? Enjoy cooking a certain dish? Met anyone famous? Play a musical instrument?

On a CV (late 90s) under additional information, I had a summer season spent as a magician's assistant. It was a lie. I was always asked about it and would say 'Great fun, still got the sparkly leotard but not the top hat'

I also put that I had trained in massage. When I had done evening course at the local tech with a friend. Usually asked about that too.

Neither of these things had any relevance to the job but I think interviewers used them to open up a bit of light hearted chit chat at then end.

I'd make something up as well.

I'd enjoy saying something like 'I was an extra in Star Wars - the Ewok battle scene, when I was 12'. Then see what they asked me about it. 'ooh was it hot in that furry costume?' 😄🐻