Interests section on resume? Forum

[Displeased]

interesting subject! Guys, what do you think about some of my interests? Should I put them down or is that too weird and I should go with more traditional ones like "travel"?
My interests include spiritual things, such as:
1) meditation,
2) also, I am into ancient Egypt and its Gods and Goddesses- not sure how to express it though.

I think "ancient Egyptian history and mythology" would be a solid interest to list—provided that you are prepared to discuss it intelligently with someone who might happen to know a lot about it.

Meditation, I'd probably keep to myself... seems too personal to be conversation-worthy and could weird out certain types of (especially older) people.

I'd think the opposite. Meditation is looked on relatively favorably by most people, and so commonplace as to be unremarkable, but a kind of vague interest in Egyptian mythology is a little strange. I'd phrase it as an interest in ancient Egyptian culture or Egyptology. Meditation + Egyptian Mythology might get some interviewers thinking that you are a pagan or spiritualist or hippie, which could lead to no-offers.

In any case, an interests section is definitely recommended. Half the hiring process is proving that you're competent and qualified, the other half is proving that you're a good fit for the office. An interests section humanizes you and will almost always be commented on in an interview.

The ideal interest is specific, inoffensive, and active. An interest in "sports" or "travel" or "music" is pointless, the vast majority of people enjoy some sort of sport or travel or music, it makes you seem inhuman to just have a generalized interest in those things. An interest in "The New York Yankees" or "hiking the Appalachian trail" or "blues guitar" is better, gives you more personality.

[Uncle.Joe]

interesting subject! Guys, what do you think about some of my interests? Should I put them down or is that too weird and I should go with more traditional ones like "travel"?
My interests include spiritual things, such as:
1) meditation,
2) also, I am into ancient Egypt and its Gods and Goddesses- not sure how to express it though.

I think "ancient Egyptian history and mythology" would be a solid interest to list—provided that you are prepared to discuss it intelligently with someone who might happen to know a lot about it.

Meditation, I'd probably keep to myself... seems too personal to be conversation-worthy and could weird out certain types of (especially older) people.

I'd think the opposite. Meditation is looked on relatively favorably by most people, and so commonplace as to be unremarkable, but a kind of vague interest in Egyptian mythology is a little strange. I'd phrase it as an interest in ancient Egyptian culture or Egyptology. Meditation + Egyptian Mythology might get some interviewers thinking that you are a pagan or spiritualist or hippie, which could lead to no-offers.

In any case, an interests section is definitely recommended. Half the hiring process is proving that you're competent and qualified, the other half is proving that you're a good fit for the office. An interests section humanizes you and will almost always be commented on in an interview.

The ideal interest is specific, inoffensive, and active. An interest in "sports" or "travel" or "music" is pointless, the vast majority of people enjoy some sort of sport or travel or music, it makes you seem inhuman to just have a generalized interest in those things. An interest in "The New York Yankees" or "hiking the Appalachian trail" or "blues guitar" is better, gives you more personality.

I would not say that half the hiring process is proving your competent and qualified. Maybe 10% but thats taken care of by your resume. Its all about being personable and making them want you to be around.

[flashback]

thanks, guys for your advice. I am going to keep ancient Egypt mythology and meditation to myself. don't want to appear too weird to some narrow-minded or older folks who far from it. besides, I live in the South... what was I thinking? lol

[emkay625]

I do not currently have an interests section. Adding one would mean either cutting my first job post undergrad or cutting some textbook publications I have. Worth it or no?

[PennBull]

I do not currently have an interests section. Adding one would mean either cutting my first job post undergrad or cutting some textbook publications I have. Worth it or no?

As far as I'm concerned, an interests section is mandatory. It is literally one line a the bottom. INTERESTS: X; Y; Z

Some interviewers just do not give any flying fucks about things you did, and go right to the interests if you have them. If your textbook publications include one of your interests, put the topic as one of your interests, and, if asked, talk about your textbooks.

Or, you could figure out how you can add a single line of space.

[flashback]

guys, what do you think if I add this: Alternative and herbal medicine.

Keep in mind, I live in the South (GA). You don't think some people would weird out about this interest of mine? I am mostly interested in herbs, herbology. I wasn't sure how to call this; it sounds Ok as alternative and herbal medicine. Although I don't particularly like the word "medicine". I don't want someone to think I am sick or something

[dr123]

When I hear Alternative and herbal medicine, I automatically think "smoking weed".

[flashback]

really??? there is so much more in herbology than just smoking weed! but thanks for being honest.
I realize that especially here in GA, in the South, there are so many people with limited intelligence and limited culture who will think the same or something worse! sad, but true. I am originally from another country, so this is really obvious to me. Someone here may think it equals to being a drug addict. who knows... I am going to keep this interest to myself then and stick with the traditional ones.

[Myself]

.

[Myself]

.

[flashback]

the problem is that in the South, there are too many narrow-minded, arrogant people, lacking intelligence and culture. so, I have to be very careful about choosing the interests. some people would just weird out about my interests. so, I have to be silent about it, although I assume they would be Ok in a state like California.

[Myself]

.

[Anonymous User]

the problem is that in the South, there are too many narrow-minded, arrogant people, lacking intelligence and culture. so, I have to be very careful about choosing the interests. some people would just weird out about my interests. so, I have to be silent about it, although I assume they would be Ok in a state like California.

Yeah, those "narrow-minded" people in the South . . .

Listen, even if you put "Alternative and herbal medicine" when applying to Boston, you will get looks. I'm not from the South. When I see "herbal medicine," I think sticky icky.

lol. Ok, I'll just keep it to myself. however, I recommend you folks to look into it too, it's a good preventive measure and just a good way to stay in good health. herbs rule.

[flashback]

How about this interest? travel (former flight attendant) I will list a few other decent interests as well, but I am undecided about this one particularly. Do you guys think that by showing the former occupation (flight attendant), it makes me sound less credible? I am NOT showing flight attendant on my resume because it was a long time ago, and I have since had a career in finance. Just wondering if it's Ok to put the above interest in the context of my old occupation... what do you all think? thanks!

[dingbat]

How about this interest? travel (former flight attendant) I will list a few other decent interests as well, but I am undecided about this one particularly. Do you guys think that by showing the former occupation (flight attendant), it makes me sound less credible? I am NOT showing flight attendant on my resume because it was a long time ago, and I have since had a career in finance. Just wondering if it's Ok to put the above interest in the context of my old occupation... what do you all think? thanks!

I think travel is very general and is too broad a term. Try something like "European Travel", or "Exploring South America". If an interviewer starts a discussion, you can then talk about specifics, or broaden the scope

[suralin]

the problem is that in the South, there are too many narrow-minded, arrogant people, lacking intelligence and culture. so, I have to be very careful about choosing the interests. some people would just weird out about my interests. so, I have to be silent about it, although I assume they would be Ok in a state like California.

Yeah, those "narrow-minded" people in the South . . .

Listen, even if you put "Alternative and herbal medicine" when applying to Boston, you will get looks. I'm not from the South. When I see "herbal medicine," I think sticky icky.

lol. Ok, I'll just keep it to myself. however, I recommend you folks to look into it too, it's a good preventive measure and just a good way to stay in good health. herbs rule.

wut

[dingbat]

the problem is that in the South, there are too many narrow-minded, arrogant people, lacking intelligence and culture. so, I have to be very careful about choosing the interests. some people would just weird out about my interests. so, I have to be silent about it, although I assume they would be Ok in a state like California.

Yeah, those "narrow-minded" people in the South . . .

Listen, even if you put "Alternative and herbal medicine" when applying to Boston, you will get looks. I'm not from the South. When I see "herbal medicine," I think sticky icky.

lol. Ok, I'll just keep it to myself. however, I recommend you folks to look into it too, it's a good preventive measure and just a good way to stay in good health. herbs rule.

wut

let me guess - echinacea?

[flashback]

not echinacea. Rhodiola Rosea, japanese medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Maitake, Cordyceps, etc), Chaga, Gingko, Burdock root, Rosemary, Milk Thistle, Propolis..... check out the benefits of these- good stuff! I buy them on iherb.com + you can use a coupon code OPI483 to get $5 off $20/$10 off $40+ on your 1st purchase.

[dingbat]

not echinacea. Rhodiola Rosea, japanese medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Maitake, Cordyceps, etc), Chaga, Gingko, Burdock root, Rosemary, Milk Thistle, Propolis.....

yeah, leave it off. If you ever find that someone you meet at a law firm has an interest in that kind of stuff, discuss it in great detail, but most people think it's gobbledygook

[flashback]

these herbs are really good. don't take drugs of big pharma, use herbs, stay close to nature. I LOOOVE herbs, I really do. check out the health benefits of these herbs, and at least get a few. Propolis is a bee product- really fantastic stuff. oh, and all of these herbs are sold in capsules.

[dingbat]

these herbs are really good. don't take drugs of big pharma, use herbs, stay close to nature. I LOOOVE herbs, I really do. check out the health benefits of these herbs, and at least get a few. Propolis is a bee product- really fantastic stuff. oh, and all of these herbs are sold in capsules.

I don't take drugs from big pharma unless I'm really, really sick. I think I've only taken medication, of any kind, 3 times in the past decade.
I used to be into aroma therapy and stuff, and our family doctor growing up was also a licensed accupuncturist and herbologist, which gives an interesting perspective. (plus, I once boinked a girl who worked at pfizer and got to hear some dirty secrets)
That doesn't mean I don't take herbal remedies with a grain of salt; some work, some don't.

Either way, it's the kind of topic that can reflect badly on you if you talk to the wrong person, but can be a bonding experience with the right one. A possible solution would be to leave it off the resume, but maybe ask for a herbal tea when offered a drink during an interview? See if you can take the conversation in that direction and feel out if you should at the same time.

[rinkrat19]

these herbs are really good. don't take drugs of big pharma, use herbs, stay close to nature. I LOOOVE herbs, I really do. check out the health benefits of these herbs, and at least get a few. Propolis is a bee product- really fantastic stuff. oh, and all of these herbs are sold in capsules.

Even IF any of these actually turn out to have real health benefits, I'll wait until science proves that, proves they're safe, standarizes the dosage protocols and puts them in the hands of people who went to medical school, not people who are gullible enough to think water can "remember" the properties of a few dilute molecules.
Do NOT put alternative medicine on your resume, even in liberal cities. You will look like an idiot hippie. And I'm saying that as the bleeding heart liberal child of (non-idiot) hippies.

[dingbat]

these herbs are really good. don't take drugs of big pharma, use herbs, stay close to nature. I LOOOVE herbs, I really do. check out the health benefits of these herbs, and at least get a few. Propolis is a bee product- really fantastic stuff. oh, and all of these herbs are sold in capsules.

Even IF any of these actually turn out to have real health benefits, I'll wait until science proves that, proves they're safe, standarizes the dosage protocols and puts them in the hands of people who went to medical school, not people who are gullible enough to think water can "remember" the properties of a few dilute molecules.
Do NOT put alternative medicine on your resume, even in liberal cities. You will look like an idiot hippie. And I'm saying that as the bleeding heart liberal child of (non-idiot) hippies.

Even better, don't use one that scientific research has proven to have no benefit whatsoever.

As an aside, honey does soothe sore throats. That one works (and can be bought in pharmacies)

[flashback]

I got it, I am not putting this interest of mine on the resume. keeping it a secret. thank you.

[ScottRiqui]

Even IF any of these actually turn out to have real health benefits, I'll wait until science proves that, proves they're safe, standarizes the dosage protocols and puts them in the hands of people who went to medical school, not people who are gullible enough to think water can "remember" the properties of a few dilute molecules.

(starting to crush on rinkrat19)

Homeopathy and its adherents bother me like almost nothing else on earth.