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Subject:Re: Hobbys (and other stuff) on resumes From:TRACY BOYINGTON <trlyboyi -at- GENESIS -dot- ODVTE -dot- STATE -dot- OK -dot- US> Date:Tue, 2 Jan 1996 08:04:31 +0000
I originally wrote:
> TB> There are instances, of course, where your hobby actually does
> TB> pertain to the job you apply for. In that case, I'd like to see
> TB> the hobby mentioned in a cover letter.
and Alexander von Obert replied:
> I would surely not mention a hobby like collecting playing cards. But there
> are hobbies that ARE important. Take me as an example:
> - I am a radio amateur (DL4NO). When you are looking for someone
> who has some idea what electromagnetic compatibility is,
> I have suffered from that for more than 20 years and took measures
> to make TV sets TVI tight.
> - I operate a BBS. If you have a documentation job in this field
> my knowledge might help :-)
> - I have been active in our national society for technical communicators
> for some 12 years. I offered you here on the list to connect you to
> specialists in Germany or so.
> No information important enough for a resume?
To which I reply: it depends. As an employer, will any of these
skills benefit *me*? If so, by all means keep them on your resume.
But if I'm hiring you to edit a medical textbook or write an
instruction sheet on how to put a bookshelf together, your amateur
radio experience does not add any value. And given everybody's
personal set of prejudices and stereotypes, it may even detract from your
value to somebody.
Tracy
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Tracy Boyington
Technical Communication Specialist
Oklahoma Department of Vocational & Technical Education
Stillwater, Oklahoma
I never express opinions, but if one slips out, it belongs
to me and not ODVTE.
"I think I did pretty well, considering I started out
with nothing but a bunch of blank paper."
-- Steve Martin
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