Interesting hobbies to boost your application.
By Saffron Shergill from StudentJob.co.uk
The debate of whether hobbies and interests should be included in a CV has been ongoing for years. Many candidates believe it can make an application stand out, giving companies a chance to feel a personal connection with the potential employees. Others, however, feel their CV should be kept to a minimum, strictly containing relevant work experience and an educational background.
However your opinion falls in this discussion, keep reading for our take on 7 unusual hobbies to add to your CV…
#1 | Fitness fanatic
If you enjoy going to the gym, running in marathons, or taking part in endurance sports, you should definitely add these to your CV. Perhaps you regularly train to prepare for triathlons? Great, you can then mention the commitment, focus and determination skills you have developed from this activity.
#2 | Volunteering
Imagine you are an employer currently sifting through dozens of generic CVs. All of a sudden, you come across a candidate who spends their Saturday mornings volunteering at a library. Sounds impressive, right? So, whether you garden for your grandma in the evenings, work in a charity shop on Sunday afternoons, or help old ladies cross the street on your way to work, these are all great hobbies to be included on your application!
#3 | Blogging
Having a personal blog where you can demonstrate your writing skills and creativity is an impressive addition to any CV. This is an opportunity for you to write about topics you are passionate about and that may relate to your future career. It is important, however, to be careful if you include your blog link in your application. We would advise you to take the time to screen your articles and make sure they present you in the best light, after all this is the first impression the employer will have of you…
#4 | Reading
Okay so this one may sound pretty generic but, trust us, it can work if presented in the right way. Instead of writing how you “like reading”, why not write how in your spare time, you enjoy reading “complicated crime novels”. If this is something you spend a serious amount of time doing, it is worth including in your application as long as you can find a way to make it sound more appealing!
#5 | Board games
Believe it or not, the number of people involved in clubs for good board games seems to be growing each year. This hobby is a great way to show off your strategic skills and also demonstrates how sociable you are. So, don’t pack in your Monopoly days just yet, this could be one recreational activity worth holding on to…
#6 | Playing an instrument
Playing an instrument as an adult is definitely something worth including in your CV. If you have been playing for a few years, you are showing qualities of patience, consistency and dedication. Taking the time to practise playing over a period of time is a great sign for employers as it shows you have the mindset to start something and stick with it!
#7 | Travelling
If you enjoy experiencing new cultures and environments…write it in your application! This is especially handy if you are going to be working in an international environment since you can talk about how interested you are in being a part of a company with different backgrounds.
So, with all this in mind, it is time to spice up your CV and land yourself a job! If you need help with your CV or finding suitable vacancies, check out StudentJob. As the biggest job portal in Europe, we specialise in helping students and young professionals find their perfect part time job, weekend job or internship….
About Saffron
Saffron Shergill is an Online Marketeer at StudentJob UK. She currently resides in Amsterdam and enjoys travelling and writing in her spare time.
