Listing hobbies on job application forms

[ducksinarow123]

What’s the point? Why do jobs applications application forms ask for you hobbies and interests outside work? They don’t add to my ability to do the job, plus it makes you feel like shit if you have few hobbies (full time job, house to run, kids to raise!) or awkward if you have really niche hobbies that you’d rather not declare for fear of being judged negatively. So pointless.
urgh, that’s my mini rant. What do you all put on that section?

oh:
yabu: it’s really important to show there’s more to life than work and let that personality shine through
yanbu: it’s pointless and intrusive and utterly irrelevant to the job application process

I totally agree and I’m amazed places still ask. I find a lot of places want to employ people “who will fit in” - but this usually means people who are just like them, and you end up with a workplace that isn’t in the least bit diverse.

Also if like me you don’t have hobbies you struggle what to write and go between lying or the boring truth of “reading cycling and cooking”. I’d love to have hobbies but I’m utterly cack handed and would only do myself a mischief

You haven't put a poll up!

I've been asked about hobbies I've listed twice in a job interview. It can help connect you to the interviewers and also de-stress a person in an interview. It is also an opportunity to showcase your interests or personality. Don't list any hobby you don't want to discuss then it isn't intrusive!

It's to give an idea of what the person is like and give a question opportunity which is outside of the basic work and may help if your interviewing someone a bit nervous or where you are struggling to illicit answers (particularly with younger applicants who may not have had many interviews). I've had people blossom.and relax when talking about their horse or their sport.

However, every woman seems to put swimming....and never goes.

Oh I don’t know how to put up a poll, I’m on the app (I never post in aibu).
my main hobbies include pokemon go, and to keep fit I do pole dancing/fitness. Not listing either of those to a bunch of strangers I want to think of me as a professional. So then I go to the dull basic - reading, cinema, meeting with friends etc.
I also HATE (with a passion) any form of ice breakers where you have to come up with a “fun fact” about yourself. ND introverts worst nightmare, and it’s probably linked to my hatred of the hobbies question

I think yabu. It shows transferable skills such as ability to work in a team, be dependable etc. Plus for younger people starting out who are going to have less work experience it's a great way to show the skills they do have.

I LOVE swimming! But, 40 hour work week, 3 dc, house to run etc etc, then the PITA of dealing with chlorine hair…….. But that’s a whole other thread for the feminist board I reckon 😉

I don't ask for them, but some people include them on their CVs, especially when they don't have much at the start of their careers. Sometimes, hobbies link to the business. I've never marked someone down for a hobby but it can be a plus. It's about 1% of my consideration at best.

Don't list what you don't want to discuss! If you put the usual generic stuff the likelihood is you won't be asked. If someone is going to list reading I would also suggest they put in what genre they like reading. Again another interesting conversation starter!

As an occasional interviewer I use the hobbies and interests as an opening question, just to allow everyone to settle. I wouldn't judge someone if they hadn't written anything though.

That’s really helpful thank you. I didn’t think of listing genre etc, but I guess that could be a good start for discussion. It’s interesting to see why employers ask, I never had them brought up in an Interview so just felt it was pointless

From an interviewers point of view it's often to settle someone into an interview. People tend to light up when they are talking about their passions and interests. I think both times I was asked definitely helped me over the line!

It gives people with notable achievements the chance to mention. If someone was on the England Lacrosse team or volunteers as a scout leader or has played at Glastonbury I want to know as it demonstrates self-motivation, values and dedication. I am more likely to hire a well rounded individual.
If someone has no hobbies, it is a bit of a red flag as it is symptomatic of a lack of lust for life and curiosity.

I know, but it's embarrassing to ask someone about a hobby...that they don't actually do!

If you put socialising, eating out and reading I could ask about what food you like, what books you read.

I can honestly say men never put hobbies they don't do...but then again I learnt never to ask about golf, cycling or in one case bell ringing...so glad I don't interview these days.

As a mum of a teen who is trying to get a weekend/summer job, it's really useful to include these to help boost his application as he has no current work experience!

So education, experience, dedication,ability etc. are not quite enough , people now have to carefully curate their personal lives too ? Preferably maybe come in juggling on a unicycle through the door?

I thought this was a thing of the past tbh.

I didn’t think anyone put hobbies on CVs any more.

I have no hobbies at the moment as my life seems to be completely taken over by small children, work and cleaning, but i have plenty of lust for life and curiosity around that. I wouldn't put the small children on my CV for fear of discrimination . . .. which would then perhaps mean you discounted me because I have no hobbies . . .

I'd mention your interests on the scale if your life rather than what you're doing right now. I wouldn't expect people to be involved in their hobbies all the time but I would expect them to have a long-standing interest in at least one area.

Yabu

I like when people include a hobby or something they do outside work like volunteering.

It can show:

• an ability to balance work and other commitments
• a respect for mental health - making time to do things that help to keep your mental health good like music, creative crafts & exercise
• skills & dedication. Someone who plays the flute in a community orchestra or sings in the church choir, or coaches the local under 12s hockey team, is someone who has worked hard to build those skills and commit to that.
• teamwork & community: our organisation values & respects people who contribute to society as charity trustees, school governors, scout leaders etc. Its a fit with what we value as an organisation - we give volunteering days for this reason.

DillydeClutter do you anything to help with your kids? Volunteer as a parent helper or anything? All valuable.

I have a tiny section at the end of my CV listing my cat as my hobby.

My DS puts his hobby (more of an all consuming passion these days) on his CV, against the advice of a friend who reckons she is the font of all recruitment knowledge. He says it makes a great opener and every interviewer has been very curious about it - plus it demonstrates skills like time management, mentoring, dedication etc.

Depends on the job.

If you have included certain creative hobbies and I'm sifting applications, you are more likely to get an interview with me.

There are other hobbies that wouldn't really fit in a regular section of a job application which would also get you an interview even with less experience than other candidates, because they tie in closely with the sort of job you'd be applying for and the sort of person I'd be looking for.

I put my hobbies on my CV as they are all loosely based around the sort of jobs I'd apply for.

So for example my hobbies of dog walking and working my allotment reinforce my interests when applying for animal/environmental related jobs.

This. I've been involved with things that have given me experience I haven't been able to get at work, including interviewing people, fundraising, managing budgets, training and mentoring people. I've learnt languages for fun. Yoga and swimming keep me vaguely fit and healthy, which keeps me functional at work.

Depending on what your hobby is, it can enhance your CV well. Probably wouldn't include going out getting pissed every weekend or something like that, but including hobbies can be good. A friend was asked about his fire eating at more than one interview, and I get asked about learning Welsh (being masochistic suits some jobs... though they don't say that, just ask if it's difficult.)