Application Forms

[sophie_1003]

What does everyone actually write in the 'Personal Interests' section? I'm filling in an application as part of a mock interview at uni and have no idea what to put! I have few interests at the moment because uni gets so hectic around assignment and placement times anything I take up just gets abandoned! Was talking about it in the staffroom today and lots of people said they always put "Watching films" and "Socialising". I never put these as I think it sounds boring so have got reading and craft based hobbies so far (still not exactly thrilling!)

[ttfn]

Many years ago I worked in HR and we always loved the inclusionion of 'fell walking'.
Hope they didn't hurt themselves ☺

[ttfn]

^ inclusion without the the onion ☺

[DTCwordfan]

whats wrong with crafts.....and reading.....put down the genre of what you make and read.....

[4getmenot]

mine said going to festivals, music, films, socialising, ..

[alexanderd]

Hobbies dont have to be "Thrilling" there is nothing wrong with reading(broadens the mind) walking or even put socialising(meeting new people)

[Prudie]

i thought people put things to make them appear intellectual (which they may well be) such as reading, the arts, foreign cinema Times crosswords!! I wouldn't put socialising and films because it sounds lightweight (IMO)

[boxtops]

Personally, that section really means "hobbies and interests", i.e. things not connected with your professional choice, to help give a better picture of you not just as a student or a candidate for a job.
People put a variety of things, but I wouldn't put "socialising" as it doesn't mean that you are applying yourself to broaden your interests. I've seen many, including:

sport (playing or watching)
stamp collecting
bell ringing (that candidate sounded interesting!)
involvement with the church
fashion/dressmaking
craft (so yours is fine)
bird-watching
motor sport
cycling
walking
going to the gym
reading

all of which demonstrate outside interests - and also give the interviewers something to ask you questions about - for yours, what sort of books do you like to read? or tell us about your latest craft project. I think your choices so far are fine, they are personal to you and tell the interviewer a bit about the sort of person you arel

[oranger]

You could put "to busy working off student loan",or something on those lines.

[alexanderd]

Prudie, are you saying we should lie on these forms to appear intellectual? I always used to put my genuine interests and hobbies andit never held me back( dont need to bother now, too old!!!)

[sophie_1003]

That's what I thought Prudie! Not bothered about appearing very intellectual it's just that pretty much everyone like socialising and watching films ao want something a bit different!
Have done that DT but it's such a big box there's still lots of space!
As I pointed out to my mum though, there's loads of stuff I'm interested in it's just that I don't actively persue all of it!

[ttfn]

Prudie - do you think I should not include 'I am an AnswerBanker, coffin dodger and kind to animals' ? Where might that leave me between intellectual and lightweight ?Back to the drawing board ttfn ;o)

[4getmenot]

lightweight!! prudie you need to come socializing with me, never a lightweight night!

[boxtops]

connoisseur of fine wine, ttfn?

[4getmenot]

If I was really truthful I wonder if I could get away with
smoking, binge drinking, facebook, answerbank, illegal downloading and sex

[sophie_1003]

I also really like belly dancing but when I tell people that I sometimes get a funny reaction! Thanks for all the answers by the way!

[ttfn]

Well that might link with the impersonation of W C Fields boxy!

Oh dear, just read back - I wasn't having a go at you Prudie x

[Prudie]

Gosh, lost connection for a while and wish I hadn't answered. Firstly anyone who thinks people don't lie on their CV is living in a dreamworld. Seriously though, I thought Sophie was practising applying for teaching posts and I don't think socialising is a relevant description to include.
My hobbies include playstation, AB, slobbing on the sofa etc but I wouldn't include them if I was applying for a professional position. Did say in my opinion.

[dotty.]

Having read hundreds of CVs from students applying for weekend work, I know to reject anyone who includes 'socialising' and 'going out with friends' as that suggests they may not be able to get up to start work at 8am on a saturday/sunday

[sophie_1003]

Exactly Prudie; if I put what I really did on a daily basis it would be Facebook; watching Friends repeats and generally slobbing out in my pyjamas! Employers must know that people lie (or expand on the truth) in these sections (they probably did it themselves!) I do genuinely enjoy reading; more so than many other people I think but the craft thing is somewhat in the background at the moment with all the other stuff going on!

[ttfn]

Aww bless you Prudie. I had forgotten about the slobbing on sofa one - will update my CV pdq ;o)