Interests section on resume? Forum

[Anonymous User]

OP here for the MMA enthusiast question?

I want to make clear that I only enjoy watching MMA (mostly UFC, some Bellator). I don't want the interviewer to think that I actually participate in it or train. So will Mixed Martial Arts get the point across? Or is it something that I can address once asked.

[Barrred]

I'm also with rpupkin on this one. After verifying that you are smart (by looking at law school/gpa/clerkship) all I care about is whether I would want to work with you, and your interests section is the best indicator of that. Leaving it off is a huge mistake. My hiring experience is in the clerkship context, but I imagine that lawyers across legal employers, including bigfed, have similar priorities.

What interest indicates a candidate will be most likely to microwave fish or loudly chomp cheetos at their desk?

Languages: English (fluent), Esperanto (professional proficiency); Interests: skipping rocks (PR: 38 skips), Neo-marxist theory; Marital Status: Single.

[Barrred]

OP here for the MMA enthusiast question?

I want to make clear that I only enjoy watching MMA (mostly UFC, some Bellator). I don't want the interviewer to think that I actually participate in it or train. So will Mixed Martial Arts get the point across? Or is it something that I can address once asked.

To me "fan" seems less weird than "enthusiast," and I agree with the above poster about spelling out mixed martial arts.

[TTTTescapee]

OP here for the MMA enthusiast question?

I want to make clear that I only enjoy watching MMA (mostly UFC, some Bellator). I don't want the interviewer to think that I actually participate in it or train. So will Mixed Martial Arts get the point across? Or is it something that I can address once asked.

To me "fan" seems less weird than "enthusiast," and I agree with the above poster about spelling out mixed martial arts.

I agree. I'm also a huge follower of MMA and thought of putting it on my interests section. If you say enthusiast a lot of people will assume that you actually train. I would just write "Mixed Martial Arts fan."

[Mullens]

OP here for the MMA enthusiast question?

I want to make clear that I only enjoy watching MMA (mostly UFC, some Bellator). I don't want the interviewer to think that I actually participate in it or train. So will Mixed Martial Arts get the point across? Or is it something that I can address once asked.

I think there's a strong likelihood that most people who ask about MMA will either assume you participate/train yourself or they will ask you if you do. I had a sport on my resume and most people assumed I played it and would lead with questions like "oh where do you play [sport] and how often?" Might be weird to reply with "I don't train/fight, I just like to watch." I think that's especially the case given the nature of MMA is people fighting. I can see it being off-putting to some people and can see it leading to some weird interactions.

[Anonymous User]

OP here for the MMA enthusiast question?

I want to make clear that I only enjoy watching MMA (mostly UFC, some Bellator). I don't want the interviewer to think that I actually participate in it or train. So will Mixed Martial Arts get the point across? Or is it something that I can address once asked.

To me "fan" seems less weird than "enthusiast," and I agree with the above poster about spelling out mixed martial arts.

I agree. I'm also a huge follower of MMA and thought of putting it on my interests section. If you say enthusiast a lot of people will assume that you actually train. I would just write "Mixed Martial Arts fan."

So did you end up putting it on your interests section? If not, then why?

[TTTTescapee]

OP here for the MMA enthusiast question?

I want to make clear that I only enjoy watching MMA (mostly UFC, some Bellator). I don't want the interviewer to think that I actually participate in it or train. So will Mixed Martial Arts get the point across? Or is it something that I can address once asked.

To me "fan" seems less weird than "enthusiast," and I agree with the above poster about spelling out mixed martial arts.

I agree. I'm also a huge follower of MMA and thought of putting it on my interests section. If you say enthusiast a lot of people will assume that you actually train. I would just write "Mixed Martial Arts fan."

So did you end up putting it on your interests section? If not, then why?

I was going to but the way my resume is formatted I only had space for one more interest at the bottom. It was between MMA and Formula One. Seeing how F1 is a ritzy/high class sport I went with that lol.

[Anonymous User]

OP here for the MMA enthusiast question?

I want to make clear that I only enjoy watching MMA (mostly UFC, some Bellator). I don't want the interviewer to think that I actually participate in it or train. So will Mixed Martial Arts get the point across? Or is it something that I can address once asked.

To me "fan" seems less weird than "enthusiast," and I agree with the above poster about spelling out mixed martial arts.

I agree. I'm also a huge follower of MMA and thought of putting it on my interests section. If you say enthusiast a lot of people will assume that you actually train. I would just write "Mixed Martial Arts fan."

So did you end up putting it on your interests section? If not, then why?

I was going to but the way my resume is formatted I only had space for one more interest at the bottom. It was between MMA and Formula One. Seeing how F1 is a ritzy/high class sport I went with that lol.

Lol I feel you. MMA is completely the opposite...

[Nebby]

Tbh, if I saw that someone liked MMA, but found out all they do is watch it and not do any amaeteur training, I wouldn't call them back. I love watching college basketball but I'm not going to call it a "hobby" or "interest"

Btw, I am idiosyncratic and my opinion is not representative of other interviewers

[Barrred]

Hmm, what about saying something along the lines of:"Mixed Martial Arts (as a spectator, but not a participant); Golf (as a participant, but not a spectator)" Too cute/clever? (this would only work obviously if you actually don't like to watch golf as a spectator... seems boring to me)

[ilovesf]

Hmm, what about saying something along the lines of:"Mixed Martial Arts (as a spectator, but not a participant); Golf (as a participant, but not a spectator)" Too cute/clever? (this would only work obviously if you actually don't like to watch golf as a spectator... seems boring to me)

This seems to be overthinking it imo. Just put you're a fan or whatever. Who cares if nebby will not call you back because you don't train. I put that I am a fan of the 49ers, and guess what, I am not actually an amateur football player.

[Anonymous User]

Sorry if this was answered, but what if the interests are mostly expressed elsewhere? For instance I was a coach for my fencing team, a librarian for an on school club, and also on the rugby team and that shows in the undergrad section of my resume. My only interest that isn't represented is that I used to compete in BBQ competitions. Do I put I an interests section to make it more distinct or is it good as is?

[existentialcrisis]

Hmm, what about saying something along the lines of:"Mixed Martial Arts (as a spectator, but not a participant); Golf (as a participant, but not a spectator)" Too cute/clever? (this would only work obviously if you actually don't like to watch golf as a spectator... seems boring to me)

This seems to be overthinking it imo. Just put you're a fan or whatever. Who cares if nebby will not call you back because you don't train. I put that I am a fan of the 49ers, and guess what, I am not actually an amateur football player.

Yea I have sports/sports teams my interests section and have talked about it a fair amount in many interviews. As long as you're a genuine fan and decently knowledgeable about the sport/team, I feel like it's great conversation fodder.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on this interests section?

"Fishing, cooking on a law student’s budget, and improving my golf game."

Trying to spice up my interests without being too cheeky.

[BVest]

"Fishing, cooking on a law student’s budget, and improving my golf game."

[Barrred]

Any thoughts on this interests section?

"Fishing, cooking on a law student’s budget, and improving my golf game."

Trying to spice up my interests without being too cheeky.

I'd go with "cooking (on a budget)." You could probably stand to include one more specific interest.

[BVest]

My edits above were more about taking away (and I'm not really a fan of cooking on any budget because cooking generally goes hand in hand with budgets, unless you're just talking about an overpriced single-meal-ingredients program or ridiculously priced proteins, like lobster and dry-aged beef). But if I were to add something, I'd be more specific about your fishing. Fly? Bay? Deep sea? etc.

[TheJanitor6203]

My edits above were more about taking away (and I'm not really a fan of cooking on any budget because cooking generally goes hand in hand with budgets, unless you're just talking about an overpriced single-meal-ingredients program or ridiculously priced proteins, like lobster and dry-aged beef). But if I were to add something, I'd be more specific about your fishing. Fly? Bay? Deep sea? etc.

I have fly fishing as one of my interests on my resume and it has led to several interviews where 5 to 10 minutes were spent on the topic. If you're at all knowledgable about the subject, I'd put it on there. It's not too common but enough people do it that someone will ask you about it or talk about how they've always wanted to but never have.

[lolwat]

My edits above were more about taking away (and I'm not really a fan of cooking on any budget because cooking generally goes hand in hand with budgets, unless you're just talking about an overpriced single-meal-ingredients program or ridiculously priced proteins, like lobster and dry-aged beef). But if I were to add something, I'd be more specific about your fishing. Fly? Bay? Deep sea? etc.

I have fly fishing as one of my interests on my resume and it has led to several interviews where 5 to 10 minutes were spent on the topic. If you're at all knowledgable about the subject, I'd put it on there. It's not too common but enough people do it that someone will ask you about it or talk about how they've always wanted to but never have.

As everything, I think it depends on interviewer. I'd be way more inclined to ask about "cooking on a budget" over any sort of fishing. Since cooking is a sort-of hobby of mine while I have near-zero interest in fishing. I do think the extra layer of specificity -- "fly fishing" versus "fishing" or "cooking on a budget" versus "cooking" is helpful though.

[stoopkid13]

My edits above were more about taking away (and I'm not really a fan of cooking on any budget because cooking generally goes hand in hand with budgets, unless you're just talking about an overpriced single-meal-ingredients program or ridiculously priced proteins, like lobster and dry-aged beef). But if I were to add something, I'd be more specific about your fishing. Fly? Bay? Deep sea? etc.

I see what you're saying, but IMO "cooking" is one of the worst things you can put on an interest section. It's too general and fairly unremarkable. It might be your interest, but it doesn't make you interesting, which is really the point of the interests section.

I'd encourage anon to focus on a cuisine or type of dish. Like "trying homestyle chili recipes" or something idk.

+1 on being more specific on fishing.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I think, though, it can be easy to tip over into "cutesy" if you start to try to look interesting.

[Nebby]

Just don't list cooking. It's not a hobby for most people that think it is

[Nebby]

I made black bean for the first time last night

Basically a culinary artist

[A. Nony Mouse]

Just don't list cooking. It's not a hobby for most people that think it is

This seems arbitrary.

[Nebby]

Just don't list cooking. It's not a hobby for most people that think it is

This seems arbitrary.

Aren't all interests