I've seen contrary advice from people who do a lot of hiring, although it's been a while and I don't have a source offhand. I think a couple lines to show you have a unique personality if you have space for it isn't a bad idea. But only if they're interesting or unique, or can be made to sound that way.
I graduated in 1990 in Electrical Engineering and since then I have been in university, doing research in the field of DSP. To me programming is more a tool than a job.
I guess it depends on the company and the interviewer(s). Conversely, I'd rather work for someone who views me as a person, than someone who views me as a robot. So, if adding hobbies at all is a mark against me getting an interview, I'm probably better off. (This is nuanced of course given that there is a spectrum from "wow, this person totally overshared, trash" to "Who cares about you your hobbies? trash")
Accessibility First DevRel. I focus on ensuring content created, events held and company assets are as accessible as possible, for as many people as possible.
Accessibility First DevRel. I focus on ensuring content created, events held and company assets are as accessible as possible, for as many people as possible.
True, but do recruitment agents care about anything other than getting their commission? - lol
More seriously: As a hiring manager I disagree. Team fit is almost as important as technical skills, if the candidate happens to have some hobbies that crossover with others in the team or might bring benefits to the company then that is interesting to know.
Also I think its healthy to know that people have hobbies an interests outside of sitting in front of a computer coding all day. I think it makes for a more well-rounded person.
Finally, one of the key reasons I got my current job is because I mentioned that I attended Toastmasters as a hobby. One of the owners of the company knew what that was and thought it was great I was involved with an organization to help improve public speaking skills. They happened to be looking for someone who could communicate clearly not just code.
If including a hobby would cause resume to need an extra page, don't include it. If there is something more relevant that fits, then go with the more relevant thing instead obviously.
However, one line with a hobby or two at the very end has been useful to me personally long ago in the past on two occasions. The first was in 1995 while as an undergrad. I listed bowling. It was while interviewing for co-op positions (Drexel University where I went has a required co-op program). After talking about relevant stuff, the interviewer (president of company) mentioned bowling and we just talked informally a bit. I was offered the position, along with 14 others, and I went with this one over the others at least partially due to the friendliness of interview.
Two weeks into the job, the company organized a bowling outing. I don't think it was coincidental as multiple people already knew I bowled who I hadn't directly told.
The second useful time was in 2005 while interviewing for faculty positions. Faculty CVs are much longer than a typical resume---they have stuff like publication lists, grants, course development, etc (anywhere from 10 to 50 pages depending on experience). Near bottom of last page of around 20 or so pages I still listed bowling even though I hadn't been in leagues for a few years. After a long interview day, giving presentations and various meetings, during dinner with search committee, one committee member commented on that which lead to less formal discussion which was a welcome change of pace after 8 hours of interviewing. This is where I still work today 17 years later.
A hobby on your resume isn't going to get you an interview. But it might lead to a higher quality interview, whether it be an interviewer using it as an icebreaker to put you at ease, or in both of these examples an interviewer using it later in the interview. Hobbies are usually off-limits to interviewers (e.g., it's in a list of things we're not allowed to ask about during interviews at my institution). By including on resume, you give interviewer something they can potentially use to improve your interview experience that they otherwise can't bring up.
So if you have a spare line available at very end, it is fine to include a hobby. Just make sure all of the important job related stuff is more prominent, and don't sacrifice anything relevant to the job to make space for it.
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I would go even harder on number 6. Dont include your hobbies at all.
It sounds harsh but truth is recruiters just dont care.
I've seen contrary advice from people who do a lot of hiring, although it's been a while and I don't have a source offhand. I think a couple lines to show you have a unique personality if you have space for it isn't a bad idea. But only if they're interesting or unique, or can be made to sound that way.
To be honest, I saw both schools
I guess it depends on the company and the interviewer(s). Conversely, I'd rather work for someone who views me as a person, than someone who views me as a robot. So, if adding hobbies at all is a mark against me getting an interview, I'm probably better off. (This is nuanced of course given that there is a spectrum from "wow, this person totally overshared, trash" to "Who cares about
youyour hobbies? trash")You are right…but, when you get to interview stage it is nice for some interviewers if they have an ice breaker, so it is more for then!
However if I had to choose between every other section and this one I would certainly say ditch this one! 👍❤️
No, you don't understand. Commanding my orc army makes me great management material
🤣🤣❤️
True, but do recruitment agents care about anything other than getting their commission? - lol
More seriously: As a hiring manager I disagree. Team fit is almost as important as technical skills, if the candidate happens to have some hobbies that crossover with others in the team or might bring benefits to the company then that is interesting to know.
Also I think its healthy to know that people have hobbies an interests outside of sitting in front of a computer coding all day. I think it makes for a more well-rounded person.
Finally, one of the key reasons I got my current job is because I mentioned that I attended Toastmasters as a hobby. One of the owners of the company knew what that was and thought it was great I was involved with an organization to help improve public speaking skills. They happened to be looking for someone who could communicate clearly not just code.
If including a hobby would cause resume to need an extra page, don't include it. If there is something more relevant that fits, then go with the more relevant thing instead obviously.
However, one line with a hobby or two at the very end has been useful to me personally long ago in the past on two occasions. The first was in 1995 while as an undergrad. I listed bowling. It was while interviewing for co-op positions (Drexel University where I went has a required co-op program). After talking about relevant stuff, the interviewer (president of company) mentioned bowling and we just talked informally a bit. I was offered the position, along with 14 others, and I went with this one over the others at least partially due to the friendliness of interview.
Two weeks into the job, the company organized a bowling outing. I don't think it was coincidental as multiple people already knew I bowled who I hadn't directly told.
The second useful time was in 2005 while interviewing for faculty positions. Faculty CVs are much longer than a typical resume---they have stuff like publication lists, grants, course development, etc (anywhere from 10 to 50 pages depending on experience). Near bottom of last page of around 20 or so pages I still listed bowling even though I hadn't been in leagues for a few years. After a long interview day, giving presentations and various meetings, during dinner with search committee, one committee member commented on that which lead to less formal discussion which was a welcome change of pace after 8 hours of interviewing. This is where I still work today 17 years later.
A hobby on your resume isn't going to get you an interview. But it might lead to a higher quality interview, whether it be an interviewer using it as an icebreaker to put you at ease, or in both of these examples an interviewer using it later in the interview. Hobbies are usually off-limits to interviewers (e.g., it's in a list of things we're not allowed to ask about during interviews at my institution). By including on resume, you give interviewer something they can potentially use to improve your interview experience that they otherwise can't bring up.
So if you have a spare line available at very end, it is fine to include a hobby. Just make sure all of the important job related stuff is more prominent, and don't sacrifice anything relevant to the job to make space for it.