[austechwriter] Re: Resumes - should interests be included
- From: "Paul Birkwood" <paul.birkwood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 09:44:12 +0930
Hi Melanie,
Note that these are generalised comments to your response.
Interviews generally have a warm-up phase and cool-down phase to them.
Interviews can utilise general information about candidates to formulate
questions in these phases. Such questions are designed to make the candidate
feel relaxed before starting the real job-related part of the interview.
Likewise, when winding down an interview, the interviewer will formulate
questions which are general and more interest-based. Including an
'Interests' section within the resume, makes it easier to formulate such
questions.
Other reasons (which most likely don't apply to you) would be:
1. Indirect activities which show leadership, intelligence, etc. are
valuable to an interviewer where the candidate does not have directly
related experience.
2. The candidate has inside information that the company/manager has similar
interests and therefore would be appreciated in the organisation. Beware of
including interests which may be received in a negative light (particularly
beware of HR filtering), unless your need for group acceptance is more
important than being a successful candidate.
3. Some organisations/managers like to know that the candidate has a
'balanced' approach to life. Interests, particularly, where team involvement
is paramount, indicate to the employer that the candidate has stress coping
strategies.
Cheers
-----Original Message-----
From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Michael West
Sent: 02 July 2003 09:04
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [austechwriter] Re: Resumes - should interests be included
Melanie asked about including "interests" on resumes.
I would definitely expect to see something about *professional*
interests on a resume, but if the question is about interests outside
of the vocation, and if we're talking about experienced
professionals rather than first-time job seekers, here's my take.
1. If someone asks you for them, then yes.
2. If they illustrate or support your qualifications
for the job, then yes -- and make the
connection obvious.*
3. Otherwise, no.
Remember that your audience is probably tired
of searching for useful information among the
rubbish, under pressure, and overloaded with resumes.
* What I mean about making the connection obvious
is that instead of just writing "chess" (for example)
you allude directly to your skills and experience
in finding creative solutions to problems, etc. If
you're going to mention work with a volunteer
organization, be sure to mention it in such a way
as to highlight leadership, organisational, or
interpersonal skills and experience associated
with the activity.
--
Mike West
Melbourne
"An active-voice transitive verb always beats
a copula-and-adjective-complement combo."
-- Prof. James Bloom via William Safire
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