TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Whether or not to include "other interests" on a resume, IMHO, depends
upon the job and interviewer. For example, my husband included in his
resume (for a government position) that he was Capt. of the high school
wrestling team, and that he was an Eagle Scout. The government received
over 300 applications for this position. He got an interview only
because he mentioned these two activities. He got the job! They were
looking for someone with leadership skills, accomplishments, and
determination (because it takes years to achieve the rank of Eagle
Scout).
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Janice Gelb [SMTP:janiceg -at- MARVIN -dot- ENG -dot- SUN -dot- COM]
>Sent: Friday, May 15, 1998 12:23 PM
>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>Subject: Re: Interview Questions
>
>Walter Hanig wrote:
>
>>
>> At 08:40 PM 5/14/98 GMT, Barb Philbrick wrote:
>> >
>> >The favorite and hobbies questions do have a purpose. When I was
>> >teaching, I taught students how to write resumes, and one of the
>> >discussions was "what do you put in the Outside Interest section?"
>>
>> One benefit of the "outside interest" section is that you never know what
>>will connect with the reader/propective employer. It's great when you have
>>something in common that's not job-related. You both can relax a little in
>>what can be a stressful situation.
>>
>> Walter (who got his first post-college job because he'd made bagels)
>>
>
>Judging from the messages on this issue, I guess I'm the only person
>who thinks these don't belong on a resume and could easily backfire.
>True that if you and the interviewer have something in common it makes
>the interview more cosy. But what if the interviewer thinks that your
>outside interests are a spectacularly stupid way to spend time? Or they
>push some ideological button? My preference would be to stick to
>business interests and leave the social aspect to after you get the job
>and are getting to know your co-workers.
>
>-- Janice
>
>*****************************************************************************
>***
>Janice Gelb | The only connection Sun has with this
>janice -dot- gelb -at- eng -dot- sun -dot- com | message is the return address.
>http://www.geocities.com/Area51/8018/index.html
>
>"The Web is the world's greatest library with all the books on the floor"
> -- Patrick Casey, AP (Oklahoma)
>
>*****************************************************************************
>***
>
>
>
