Interests on a CV is a section many of us gloss over and write within a 5 minute timeframe as we assume it is the least impactful section of a CV.
As a result, the Interest & Hobbies section on your CV usually contain boring one word statements such as movies, walking, watching TV (etc.). Not very inspiring I hear you say as some of these activities are taken as a given for many employers. So how do we make your interests on your cv more interesting to a potential employer?
Tip 1: Be Specific
Instead of simply writing that you like movies (the majority of people like movies!), be specific by stating you favourite type of movie of your favourite director. So instead of just writing “movies” on your CV, you may specify “Quentin Tarentino movies”. Being specific makes the Interests and Hobbies section of your CV much more interesting and memorable.
Tip 2: Prove your commitment to good causes
If you do voluntary work be sure to mention this on your CV. A social conscience or giving back to society is admired by many employers.
Tip 3: Be Honest
Avoid throwing down an interest or hobby just to make yourself appear more attractive to a potential employer. For example, you may look up your interviewer on LinkedIn and discover they have a passion for rugby coaching. So in order to make yourself more attractive, you put down that you also have a passion for rugby. However, if your interviewer spots this they will be keen to talk about rugby at the end of your interview and it will become clear very quickly that you are bluffing. As a consequence, your credibility comes into question, which can be extremely detrimental as this often occurs towards the end of an interview where you assume an interviewer is simply making “small chat”.
In conclusion interests can be interesting and memorable. To accomplish this, be specific in regards your interests, display a social conscience and be truthful at all times.
To read 3 tips in regards how to address unemployment on your CV, please click here>>>
