ShareThisBy MAX MESSMER
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
"HOBBIES: I really enjoy wallpapering."
That's not the stick-to-itiveness we had in mind.
The example above highlights a common mistake made by job seekers: providing irrelevant details about non-work-related interests in application materials. I've seen countless resumes from job candidates who've offered unnecessary information about their age, health, marital status and political-party affiliation. But the most extraneous information seems to surface in the "Interests" or "Hobbies" sections of resumes.
Remember, unless you can connect your career interests with your love of disco music or "extreme boxing" (both real examples, by the way), it's best to keep your leisure pursuits to yourself.
"HOBBIES: I've been the leading lady in the community play three years in a row. Love it!!!"
An applicant who has her "act" together.
"INTERESTS: Keeping fit is important to me. I regularly attend the gym to lift."
A strong candidate.
"INTERESTS: I enjoy watching TV and making just about anything _ including my own clothes."
"Sew" why didn't you "tailor" your resume to the open position?
"INTERESTS: I like to sing and repair things."
"Hi ho ... Hi ho ... It's off to work we go."
"HOBBIES: Ugly quilt making."
We can't wait for this year's holiday gift exchange.
And, though it may be obvious to some, not all job seekers understand that the resume is not the place for a detailed description of how you planned your wedding. While matrimonial preparations certainly require a great deal of time and energy, the following frugal fiance stretches the term "work experience" too far:
"WORK EXPERIENCE: I planned and funded my $11,000 wedding. I had to determine the amount of money necessary for the wedding. I worked to keep costs down and still have a quality wedding. I decided on what expenses were necessary and unnecessary. I determined how much overtime to work and when."
Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International Inc., 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., or faxed to 650-234-6998.
(Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc., a specialized staffing firm, and author of "Managing Your Career For Dummies" and "Job Hunting For Dummies." For more Resumania, please visit www.resumania.com.)
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