Good idea to mention video games as a hobby/interest on your CV?

[Ross MwcFan]

It doesn't really seem like a good idea, like it just wouldn't look good for some reason, even though most people play video games. I don't think it doesn't look good for the reason you do play video games, but for the reason that you've actually mentioned it on your CV. Or is that just me?

 

But, if I don't mention video games, there's not going to be many hobbies/interests written on the CV.

 

What do you guys think?

[Ross MwcFan]

Don't forget the fact that I'm in the UK, video games aren't looked down upon anywhere near as much over here as they are in America, they're also not seen as a kids activity over here either.

 

Here's what would be left under hobbies and interests on my CV if I took out video games,

 

I like animals, creating art, working out, and music.

 

Do you think that's enough?

Edited April 3, 2012 by Ross MwcFan

[casanovadude81]

I don't put recreational activities on a CV unless specifically asked for.

[Ross MwcFan]

I dunno, seems like a good idea to write what your interests are. I think that's what most people do.

[KathyM]

I just recently completed a class where we were taught how to prepare a good CV, cover letter, and have a good interview. They told me it's not appropriate or professional to list personal interests. That was surprising to me, because I thought people are supposed to list interests and hobbies at the end of their resume, but times have changed. The experts are saying, don't list hobbies and interests. Keep your CV professional, and limited to your objectives, your education, your work history, and your skills.

[Ross MwcFan]

I just recently completed a class where we were taught how to prepare a good CV, cover letter, and have a good interview. They told me it's not appropriate or professional to list personal interests. That was surprising to me, because I thought people are supposed to list interests and hobbies at the end of their resume, but times have changed. The experts are saying, don't list hobbies and interests. Keep your CV professional, and limited to your objectives, your education, your work history, and your skills.

 

I would've thought it a good idea to show some personality/to give them an idea of how you are as a person. *Shrug*

[KathyM]

I would've thought it a good idea to show some personality/to give them an idea of how you are as a person. *Shrug*

Yes, I would have thought so too, and I always in the past had included my hobbies and interests at the end of my resume, so I was surprised when my professor said it's not appropriate, and other students in the class backed her up on that based on what they read about how to prepare a resume or CV.

[casanovadude81]

I would've thought it a good idea to show some personality/to give them an idea of how you are as a person. *Shrug*

 

Save that for the interview. They'll most likely ask you a question that opens you up to talking about yourself.

[CarrieT]

Unless you are applying specifically to a gaming company, I would not list it as a hobby or interest.

 

Like others have mentioned, a good and professional CV should not include ANY hobbies or interests. Employers don't care - they want to know what your skills are and if you can do the job, not what you do in your private time.

[NeverDated]

Unless you are applying specifically to a gaming company, I would not list it as a hobby or interest.

 

Like others have mentioned, a good and professional CV should not include ANY hobbies or interests. Employers don't care - they want to know what your skills are and if you can do the job, not what you do in your private time.

Exactly.

 

If your hobby/interest shows a passion for your field outside of work, then it's acceptable. For example, I'm a web developer and in my free time contribute to the codex for a large open source platform, as well as code improvements and free modules. That goes on my resume. The fact that I enjoy to cook, to sew and take 12 mile hikes doesn't, unless the company I'm applying to shows some kind of sense of humor or personality that lends itself to a "dating site" style blurb at the end. I actually once landed a contract because the end of my resume had an "about me" blurb where I spoke about myself like a domestic super-hero doing dishes, caring for my kids and checking temperatures at 3AM - the hiring manager for the small company liked seeing a bit of personality that matched the company's sarcastic culture. (That same resume actually lost me a shot at a few contracts, so I stopped using it universally.)

 

You should probably build a CV/resume that is very basic and to the point. Contact info, employment history, qualifications, research/publications, etc. Then modify it company by company - more formal companies get the more basic version, while more laid back companies get a bit of humor and personality.

[Els]

I would not include hobbies at all unless specifically asked for it.

 

But if they DO ask, I don't see why not.

[KathyM]

If you have good computer skills, then list those under a skills heading. You could say "Advanced computer skills (Excel, Power Point, MS Word, etc.) if you have those skills. That would be a plus. But don't have a hobbies and interests section per se. Put your computer skills under a Skills and Expertise heading. But unless the job involves the gaming industry, don't list gaming under the Skills and Expertise section.

[josie54]

I used to help college students prepare their resumes, and what everyone is saying is dead on. Hobbies and interests are inappropriate for a resume/CV unless they directly relate to the job you're applying for. If they do relate because they show you have relevant experience that would be useful to the job you're applying for, then they probably fit under a "Skills" section.

 

Employers want to know about your skill sets, educational background, and relevant work experience and responsibilities. That's information that helps them know if you're a good fit for the position. Save any personal stuff until an interview, and even then, only if asked about it specifically and if you feel it will help you build rapport with the interviewer.

[silvermane187]

No, it is not a good idea.

[JohnM]

One sentence of interests on your CV is not going to kill it off. I usually tag it on the end but mix it up with some team sports, technical interests that can be useful to jobs.

[Star Gazer]

I would've thought it a good idea to show some personality/to give them an idea of how you are as a person. *Shrug*

 

Yes, if it shows an aspect of your personality that would be of benefit the employer.

 

In this case, video games is not one of them.

[Eclypse]

I don't think it would make them chuck your application in the bin for sure, it just wouldn't add anything.

 

I put down that I play in 2 basketball teams, I guess to show that I'm all for teamwork. And that I like to travel. It probably doesn't mean all that much, but I'm still at university so I haven't really had a whole lot of experience with which to buff up my resume. Is that the main reason you wanted to put down video games? Because you're worried you don't have enough stuff in your employment / education section?

[Ross MwcFan]

I don't think it would make them chuck your application in the bin for sure, it just wouldn't add anything.

 

I put down that I play in 2 basketball teams, I guess to show that I'm all for teamwork. And that I like to travel. It probably doesn't mean all that much, but I'm still at university so I haven't really had a whole lot of experience with which to buff up my resume. Is that the main reason you wanted to put down video games? Because you're worried you don't have enough stuff in your employment / education section?

 

No, it was because I thought that maybe I didn't have enough stuff in the hobbies/interests section.

[CarrieT]

No, it was because I thought that maybe I didn't have enough stuff in the hobbies/interests section.

 

Unless you are filling out an application with a hobbies/interests section, you shouldn't even be bothering with including it on a created CV.

 

Leave it out - trust us... There shouldn't BE a hobbies/interests section on a CV.

[Ross MwcFan]

Okay, it's definatley something I will consider. The more I think about it and the more posts I read the less it seems like a good idea.

 

I will be seeing a careers advisor next month, and we'll probably be going over my CV, so I'll see what she says too. I guess my CV is still in it's early stages.

[NeverDated]

I will be seeing a careers advisor next month, and we'll probably be going over my CV, so I'll see what she says too. I guess my CV is still in it's early stages.

Seeing a career adviser is a good idea. But please remember they aren't going to write it for you - they'll only give you tips and feedback on what you give them. ("You get out what you put in.") When I was doing hiring (as a team lead) one of the most common reasons I turned down a candidate was because, even though their resume may had a lot of really nice bullet points and work experience, it failed to show what they did in previous positions/projects that would be an asset to my team. Don't tell me you worked in sales and always exceeded your sales target - do tell me you worked in sales and increased company sales revenue by 15%. So even before you see the adviser, I'd really suggest you start thinking about it in those terms so you can get more out of the meeting.

 

A little OT, but thought it was worth mentioning.