Including Hobbies Interests On Your Resume Career Advice

Including Hobbies Interests On Your Resume Career AdviceIncluding Hobbies Interests On Your Resume Career AdviceYouve climbed Mount Everest, volunteer at the dog shelter on the weekends and have a mint condition comic book collection,the question is do you let an employer know? Or more importantly, does the employer care?With the debate on resume length on-going, and space on your resume being of high value, should you include hobbies and interests on your resume? Like most things in life it depends. Many employers are for including a hobby or two on your resume, reasons being to show the personal side of a candidate and to use it as a conversation topic in an interview. Hobbies and interests can give your resume a personality the employer can relate to, a feeling on who you may be. Prabhjot Singh Bedi (President Founder of Eclat Hospitality) tackles this with further depth Its a window into your personality, that is beyond the standard work stuff. These are things you are suppos ed to be passionate about. You should be using this extensively to leid just market yourself, but also to steer the direction the interview takes. Your hobbies and interests can say alot about you and depending on the the perspective of the employer, they could be saying good or badeanstalt things. Here are a few things to consider before including them on your resumeHOBBIES INTERESTS TO HELP YOUThis is where the it depends part comes into play. Everything in your resume should be tailored to the job you are applying for, including your hobbies and interests.Listing participation in sports and fitness can show the employer youre a good team-player, youre self-motivated and you value your health. While things like camping and hiking can show that youre resourceful and independent. HOBBIES INTERESTS TO HURT YOUYou dont want to hide who you are, but omission may be the best option if youre hobbies are a bit edgy or unconventional. Being a wingsuit flyer could read interesting risk-ta ker to one employee and crazy, over-the-top to another. If youre questioning whether or not something is appropriate for your resume, its best to steer clear. Hobbies are kind of controversial. On the positive side, hobbies can be a conversation starter that you can use to bond with the interviewer. But if its something that isnt considered mainstream my advice is When in doubt, leave it out. Dont include pastimes with affiliations that are religious, political or anything considered culturally radical. says Katy Keogh, a Principal at WinterWyman recruiting firm. DISPLAYING HOBBIES INTERESTSSee alsoTop List of Resume EssentialsThere is no universal format for listing hobbies and interests, however using bullets or listing them in a small section is how they are normally displayed. They are meant to be a highlight to your resume, they do not need a prominent spot on it. They must be realLike anything on your resume, you must be able to back information up. In other words dont lie. Stick to the hobbies and interests you actually have, that way if they come in in an interview you are able to speak to them. If you feel like you need to embellish, then just dont include hobbies and interests on your resume at all. Spice it upTheres no such thing as a boring hobby thats why its a hobby right? Because you enjoy doing it in your spare time. The more specific you are with your interests, the spicier they become For example, instead of saying painting say abstract and impressionism artist. Instead of running you could put training for half-marathons. As Verena Lemberger (Recruiting Manager for Academy Cube) puts it, Generally speaking, honesty is the best policy and try to be as precise and accurate regarding your own interests (e.g. indicate a genre of music not just music in general) and showcase those aspects of your personality that only your hobbies can project. Keep it shortAgain, your hobbies and interests are an added bonus to a resume, not nearly as importan t as professional experience and skills. Do not list every single thing you like to do on the weekends. Do not list hobbies and interests at the start of your resume either as they are not the most applicable thing to a job. Keep it brief so the employer can focus on what really matters. Want to see how hobbies and interests can fit into your resume?

When you have no questions for the hiring manager

When you have no questions for the hiring managerWhen you have no questions for the hiring managerAt some point in a job interview- usually toward the end- the hiring manager may ask, Now do you have any questions for me? Youve likely heard that its important to head into every job interview prepared with some questions, as this shows youre truly interested in the job, but what if you really have nothing to ask? What if, perhaps, all of your questions were already answered?In this case, should you try to come up with something? Or, is it fine to say you dont have any questions?We asked one hiring manager for his thoughts and he said you should always try to ask at least one question. It shows engagement and involvement and forethought- all positives when youre hoping to get hired. But if youre truly stuck, keep some of these suggestions in mind beforeheading into the interview. They may just help you come up with something on the fly.Ask about advancementIf it hasnt already been cove red, hiring managers always love to hear that a potential employee isinterested in what job opportunities are available beyond the position they are actually applying for. This shows that theyre thinking about staying at the company into the future and are willing to make a real commitment. Be sure, however, to make it clear that youre definitely interested in the job at hand, and not just trying to get into the company to move to another role.Consider specific scenariosDepending on the type of job youre applying for, there may bea bevy of questions available if you ask about specific scenarios. For example, if youreapplying for remote work, be sure to always ask what resources are available to employees who work out of the office, how the chain of command works with people who arent in person every day, and what some of the major obstacles have been so that you can best avoid them.Think outside the boxIf you can manage to come up with at leastone or two unique questions during your interview(maybe you ask about ways the company fosters community amongst employees, or what remote workers have done in the past to foster relationships with employees they dont see every day), youll really impress.Turn the question back on the hiring managerHiring managers usually like to answer questionsabout their own experiences, as long as they areframed in a positive manner. For example, asking the hiring manager about the worst part of working somewhere is much different than asking them what they see as challenges that you could potentially help solve.Take notes during the interviewTaking notes during the interviewshows that youre fully present during it, and you may even end up jotting down a particular thought that you can circle back to and ask a question on later.If you come to the end of an interview and you really,truly dont have one thing left to say, its okay to say so. Just be sure to ask if itd be alright if you follow up with a phone call or email, should you thi nk of something later.This article was originally published on FlexJobs.

13 body language blunders that make you look bad

13 body language blunders that make you look badeanstalt13 body language blunders that make you look badOur bodies have a language of their own, and their words arent always kind. Your body language has likely become an integral part of who you are, to the point where you might not even think about it.If thats the case, its time to start, because you could be sabotaging your career.TalentSmart has tested mora than a million people and found that the upper echelons of top performance are filled with people who are high in emotional intelligence (90% of top performers, to be exact). These people know the power that unspoken signals have in communication and they monitor their own body language accordingly.Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words. Deborah BullWhen youre working hard and doing all you can to achieve your goals, anything that can g ive you an edge is powerful and will streamline your path to success. Just make certain you dont fragestellung victim to any of these body language blunders.Exaggerated gestures can imply that youre stretching the truth. Aim for small, controlled gestures to indicate leadership and confidence, and open gestures- like spreading your arms apart or showing the palms of your hands- to communicate that you have nothing to hide.Crossed arms create a physical barrier that suggests youre not open to what the other partie is saying. Even if youre smiling or engaged in a pleasant conversation, the other rolle may get a nagging sense that youre shutting him or her out. Even if folding your arms feels comfortable, resist the urge to do so if you want people to see you as open-minded and interested in what they have to say.Inconsistency between your words and your facial expression causes people to sense that something isnt right and they begin to suspect that youre trying to deceive them, even if they dont know exactly why or how.For example, a nervous smile while rejecting an offer during a negotiation wont help you get what you want it will just make the other person feel uneasy about working with you because theyll assume that youre up to something.Turning yourself away from others, or not leaning into your conversation, portrays that you are unengaged, uninterested, uncomfortable, and perhaps even distrustful of the person speaking.Try leaning in towards the person who is speaking and tilt your head slightly as you listen to them speak. This shows the person speaking that they have your complete focus and attention.Slouching is a sign of disrespect. It communicates that youre bored and have no desire to be where you are. You would never tell your boss, I dont understand why I have to listen to you, but if you slouch, you dont have to- your body says it for you, loud and clear.The brain is hardwired to equate power with the amount of space people take up. Standing up s traight with your shoulders back is a power position. It maximizes the amount of space you fill. Slouching, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form- it takes up less space and projects less power. Maintaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement from both ends of the conversation.Avoiding eye contact makes it look like you have something to hide, and that arouses suspicion. Lack of eye contact can also indicate a lack of confidence and interest, which you never want to communicate in a business setting. Sustained eye contact, on the other hand, communicates confidence, leadership, strength, and intelligence. While it is possible to be engaged without direct, constant eye contact, complete negligence will clearly have negative effects on your professional relationships.Eye contact thats too intense may be perceived as aggressive, or an attempt to dominate. On average, Americans hold eye contact for seven to ten seconds, longer when were listening tha n when were talking. The way we break contact sends a message, too. Glancing down communicates submission, while looking to the side projects confidence.Watching the clock while talking to someone is a clear sign of disrespect, impatience, and inflated ego. It sends the message that you have better things to do than talk to the person youre with, and that youre anxious to leave them.Exaggerated nodding signals anxiety about approval. People may perceive your heavy nods as an attempt to show you agree with or understand something that you actually dont.Fidgeting with or fixing your hair signals that youre anxious, over-energized, self-conscious, and distracted. People will perceive you as overly concerned with your physical appearance and not concerned enough with your career.Scowling or having a generally unhappy expression sends the message that youre upset by those around you, even if they have nothing to do with your mood. Scowls turn people away, as they feel judged. Smiling, ho wever, suggests that youre open, trustworthy, confident, and friendly. MRI studies have shown that the human brain responds favorably to a person whos smiling, and this leaves a lasting positive impression.Weak handshakes signal that you lack authority and confidence, while a handshake that is too strong could be perceived as an aggressive attempt at domination, which is just as bad. Adapt your handshake to each person and situation, but make sure its always firm.Getting too close. If you stand too close to someone (nearer than one and a half feet), it signals that you have no respect for or understanding of personal space. This will make people very uncomfortable when theyre around you.Bringing it all togetherAvoiding these body language blunders will help you form stronger relationships, both professionally and personally.13 body language blunders that make you look badOur bodies have a language of their own, and their words arent always kind. Your body language has likely become an integral part of who you are, to the point where you might not even think about it.If thats the case, its time to start, because you could be sabotaging your career.TalentSmart has tested more than a million people and found that the upper echelons of top performance are filled with people who are high in emotional intelligence (90% of top performers, to be exact). These people know the power that unspoken signals have in communication and they monitor their own body language accordingly.Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words. - Deborah BullWhen youre working hard and doing all you can to achieve your goals, anything that can give you an edge is powerful and will streamline your path to success. Just make certain you dont fall victim to any of these body language blunders.Exaggerated gestures can imply that youre stretching the truth. Aim for small, controlled gestures to indicate leadership and confidence, and open gestures - like spreading your arms apart or showing the palms of your hands - to communicate that you have nothing to hide.Crossed arms create a physical barrier that suggests youre not open to what the other person is saying. Even if youre smiling or engaged in a pleasant conversation, the other person may get a nagging sense that youre shutting him or her out. Even if folding your arms feels comfortable, resist the urge to do so if you want people to see you as open-minded and interested in what they have to say.Inconsistency between your words and your facial expression causes people to sense that something isnt right and they begin to suspect that youre trying to deceive them, even if they dont know exactly why or how.For example, a nervous smile while rejecting an offer during a negotiation wont help you get what you want it will just make the other person feel uneasy about working with you becau se theyll assume that youre up to something.Turning yourself away from others, or not leaning into your conversation, portrays that you are unengaged, uninterested, uncomfortable, and perhaps even distrustful of the person speaking.Try leaning in towards the person who is speaking and tilt your head slightly as you listen to them speak. This shows the person speaking that they have your complete focus and attention.Slouching is a sign of disrespect. It communicates that youre bored and have no desire to be where you are. You would never tell your boss, I dont understand why I have to listen to you, but if you slouch, you dont have to - your body says it for you, loud and clear.The brain is hardwired to equate power with the amount of space people take up. Standing up straight with your shoulders back is a power position. It maximizes the amount of space you fill. Slouching, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form- it takes up less space and projects less power. Mai ntaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement from both ends of the conversation.Avoiding eye contact makes it look like you have something to hide, and that arouses suspicion. Lack of eye contact can also indicate a lack of confidence and interest, which you never want to communicate in a business setting. Sustained eye contact, on the other hand, communicates confidence, leadership, strength, and intelligence. While it is possible to be engaged without direct, constant eye contact, complete negligence will clearly have negative effects on your professional relationships.Eye contact thats too intense may be perceived as aggressive, or an attempt to dominate. On average, Americans hold eye contact for seven to ten seconds, longer when were listening than when were talking. The way we break contact sends a message, too. Glancing down communicates submission, while looking to the side projects confidence.Watching the clock while talking to someone is a clear sign of d isrespect, impatience, and inflated ego. It sends the message that you have better things to do than talk to the person youre with, and that youre anxious to leave them.Exaggerated nodding signals anxiety about approval. People may perceive your heavy nods as an attempt to show you agree with or understand something that you actually dont.Fidgeting with or fixing your hair signals that youre anxious, over-energized, self-conscious, and distracted. People will perceive you as overly concerned with your physical appearance and not concerned enough with your career.Scowling or having a generally unhappy expression sends the message that youre upset by those around you, even if they have nothing to do with your mood. Scowls turn people away, as they feel judged. Smiling, however, suggests that youre open, trustworthy, confident, and friendly. MRI studies have shown that the human brain responds favorably to a person whos smiling, and this leaves a lasting positive impression.Weak handsh akes signal that you lack authority and confidence, while a handshake that is too strong could be perceived as an aggressive attempt at domination, which is just as bad. Adapt your handshake to each person and situation, but make sure its always firm.Getting too close. If you stand too close to someone (nearer than one and a half feet), it signals that you have no respect for or understanding of personal space. This will make people very uncomfortable when theyre around you.Bringing it all togetherAvoiding these body language blunders will help you form stronger relationships, both professionally and personally.This article first appeared on LinkedIn.