I have nothing against interests and hobbies per se, I even have a couple myself, it’s more a case of questioning the need to share them on a CV on the basis that they might truly influence the decision making process. Really, do employers care about an  interest in cooking?  Does the ubiquitous interest in sports really demonstrate team player skills? If you believe the studies then you will question if employers even make it to the end of your CV to find out what your interests are. So maybe they are just a waste of everyone’s time and should be confined to Room 101?

Over the years I’ve seen many interests and hobbies on CVs from ‘member of a gym’ which could be anything from a serious body builder through to the likes of me (paid membership fee for nothing more than a monthly email reminding me I am a member of a gym I never go to) to ‘financial markets’ where the candidate didn’t know what the FTSE was but quick to point out that they weren’t technically lying as you can have an interest in something without actually knowing everything about it (it was at this point they became unsuitable for the job).

My all time favourite however, was the candidate who expressed an interest in ‘beavers’.  Clearly beavers as an interest merits further exploration. When questioned the lady was delighted to discuss her hobby of beavers –  all forty of them. “Forty” I exclaimed “Forty beavers….what do you…how do you…where do you???” Yes, even I was interested by this point. Her dilemma was, as she explained with much concern, she was off on holiday soon and had no-one to cover her Tuesday night slot from 6-7.30pm. Needless to say I was rather confused how you could look after forty beavers for only 1.5 hrs a week until she clarified that the lady from the Cubs, which ran straight after her beavers club, might be able to cover but it would mean a double shift for her. Oh, The Beavers, not beavers – I felt disappointment and relief all at the same time. But 10 years on, I’ll always remember this candidate’s name and her experience.

So even I appreciate that interests and hobbies on a CV can promote discussion at interview but do shared interests forge better working relationships – surely that’s the measure of the worth? From what I can see a shared interest in football for example –seems to promote nothing more than arguments from the conversations I’m privy to, an antithesis if ever there were!

So what’s the answer – do you include a hobbies section or not? Well, I can say that in my 16 years in recruitment I’ve never known a candidate to be rejected because of their interests or hobbies. More importantly I have known candidates enjoy success as a result of their interests specifically the candidate who declared her hobby to be ‘washing elephants’.The feedback from the client was that from a technical and personality point of view they couldn’t decide on their preferred candidate so they decided to look through the CVs one more time, it was this candidates rather unique interest that sealed the deal and she was offered the job. Now that really has to be the measure of the worth.

CVs, hobbies, interview

Offshoring operations overseas combined with an increasingly competitive jobs market, has left many professionals considering opportunities abroad. So what value is gained from international experience?

Stand out from the crowd. CVs with international work experience stand out. Employers appreciate the independence, personal resourcefulness and problem-solving skills necessary to work abroad. Particularly if you have sought the opportunity yourself.

Understand new business cultures. Working in a country that has a strong connection with your industry can add an incredible amount of value to your CV. Working abroad can also give you an understanding of other cultures, values and different ways of doing business. Surrounding yourself in a foreign work setting is very different from dealing with colleagues from other countries on the telephone. Even a relatively short period of time spent abroad can be very valuable to your career.

Acquire new skills. Learning a new skill or developing an existing skill is often easier in a new environment. Picking up a new language or learning new processes can be an invaluable benefit of working overseas and are often skills that can be used back in the UK.

Gain new contacts. An assignment abroad can quickly help build your professional network. Nurture relationships with colleagues, you never know where a contact may lead and who they might be able to refer you to for future jobs.

Earn money. Often companies pay generously for temporary workers, particularly abroad. Working as a contractor can be a lucrative option as well as tax efficient in many countries.

Lifestyle change. Working abroad can often offer a different lifestyle, and sometimes a greater work-life balance. In addition, it can give you thechance to explore new interests. It may even take you on to another contract or permanent role there or in another country.

Choosing to uproot and work abroad can be a big decision, plenty of research is essential before taking the leap. If the timing is right it can really develop your career opportunities.

abroad, CVs, international experience, Skills, work overseas, working abroad

Our latest monthly London Employment Monitor – October 11 is now available with video commentary. Click below to watch COO Andrew Evans talk though October’s highlights.

Highlights:

• The Morgan McKinley London Employment Monitor registered a 0.4% increase in available jobs across London’s financial services sector in October 11 compared to September 11

• This represented a decrease of 22% from the same month last year

• The number of professionals entering the London financial services jobs market rose by 9% month-on-month in October 11

• Compared to October 10, this was an increase of 4% on the number of professionals looking for new roles

• The average salary for those taking up new positions in October 11 fell by 5% from September 11 to £52,601

• The time taken to fill new job roles decreased by 10 days to reach 53 days.

Click here to view the London Employment Monitor – Oct 11

Accountancy, accounting jobs, Asset management, banking and capital markets, banks, Canary Wharf, City of London, CVs, Employment, finance jobs, Financial Services, hiring activity, jobs, Jobs market, London, London Employment, Professionals, Salaries