Page 181 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

12 0028633946 CH10 12/21/99 11:56 AM Page 163

Chapter 10 ➤ Step Five: Education and Extra Credit

Making a Hobby of It

Some job seekers like to have a section called Personal Pursuits, Personal Interests, or
Personal Activities in which they can list travel, sports, religious, political, and other per-
sonal activities. The Personal Pursuits section is optional and should be included only if you
feel your personal activities
➤ Add to your qualifications as a candidate for your job objective.
➤ Say something about your character that might be valued on the job.

Professional resume writers disagree as to whether personal interests are appropriate on a
resume. Some employers find them interesting and valuable; others find them irrelevant.
Although many employers have said they wouldn’t hold it against a job seeker for includ-
ing that sort of information, consider whether stating your personal activities might create
undesired conflict with your employer’s views and preferences. A potential conflict of inter-
est could arise over issues such as race, religion, unions, and other controversial topics.

Bonus Check

Some employers like the Personal Pursuits section of an applicant’s resume. They look
there hoping to find an interesting non–work-related topic for the interview and often
use such a topic as an ice-breaker.

Here are some assumptions an employer might make from the following
listings on resumes:

➤ An applicant who lists “Board of Trustees, St. Anne’s
Episcopal Church” is indicating that she is actively involved
in her church. Although some employers may welcome this
involvement, others may feel uncomfortable with it.
Job-Hunt Hint
➤ An applicant who writes “Member, Gay and Lesbian Couples
United” on his resume tells the reader that he is probably Every word on your resume, even
homosexual. Such a disclosure may create a problematic those listed in your extra sec-
tions, should paint the picture of
impression with a hiring manager.
you on your next job.
➤ The owner of a nonunion company might feel threatened by
an applicant who lists “Organizer, Teamsters, Local Chapter
47092,” because he may be worried the applicant will want
to unionize his company.

163