RE: Hobbies on a résumé (WAS: RE:New TECHWR-L Poll Question)

["Dick Margulis " <margulis -at- mail -dot- fiam -dot- net>]

Tracy,

As I said previously, it depends on the situation, as much from the employer's viewpoint as from the applicant's viewpoint. What we're looking for is a good fit. 

If I am hiring a receptionist or data entry clerk, I am going to be quite suspicious of someone who presents a long list of outside interests, my concern being that people like that I've encountered in those positions have tended to devote as little energy as possible to the task at hand, always having (truthfully) something more interesting to be doing.

On the other hand, if I am hiring a writer, I want someone who has some interest and experience in the world outside the four walls of the cubicle, someone who might have bought a clue about how people behave, how they react, how they interpret language. In that case, I'd most definitely want to know that someone has hobbies or community involvement of some kind.

My two cents,

Dick

"Tracy Boyington" wrote:

>You know, a lot of people are saying "having hobbies tells employers you are a good employee," but I'd like to hear what more employers think, rather than what we *think* they think. I mean, we could prattle on about this for weeks (and you *know* we could, don't you), but most of us are on the employee side of the equation, and are only speculating about what potential employers want.
>
>For example:
><< I say that I'm into the theatre (creative), I'm a director (leadership) and I'm an actor (responsibility, teamwork). >>
>
>Am I the only one who *doesn't* immediately think "ooh, he's responsible and a good team player!!" when I hear that someone is an actor? ;-)
>
>

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