Interests On Resume Forum

[Nebby]

Is an interest section for people that have little to no work experience? Or is the interest section required even for folks with over 10 years of legal experience?

[moonman157]

Always include an interests section. It makes you seem like an actual human being outside of the context of work and allows employers to talk about something other than the few subjects they discuss with every candidate they interview.

[heavoldgotjuice]

I had a GULC advisor review my resume and they told me that my interests were "boring". Not sure what the fuck to think of that ......

[nsideirish]

For OCI: yes, yes yes. But make sure you are able to actually talk about your interests so you don't look like a fool when an interviewer shares the same interest. And, don't just throw overly broad things out there (e.g. "food", "outdoors"); instead, narrow in on certain things ("cooking Mediterranean food", "fishing").

After a few years experience as a lawyer, I'd say probably not. OCI is all about making that connection with an interviewer in a short 20 minute period. A shared interest that you can connect over is huge.

[nsideirish]

I had a GULC advisor review my resume and they told me that my interests were "boring". Not sure what the fuck to think of that ......

Well, what did you have listed?

[A. Nony Mouse]

I think everyone needs an interests section for entry-level post-JD hiring. Not sure if it matters so much once you've been working as a lawyer for years, but I think it's important for law students (and I had 10+ years work experience pre-LS).

[kalvano]

Can we just go ahead and sticky one the five thousand threads on this topic?

[heavoldgotjuice]

I said normal stuff like reading and writing about epistemology and developing international issues, fishing and camping on Cayo Costa


I could've said playing real life like it's gta

[Nebby]

"Interests available upon request"

Seriously though, if it's only for conversation then why can I not just bring it up during the interview? The interests section seems to be the most fake part of an entire resume. I bet that 75% of interest are total bullshit. See post above.

[Nebby]

*sipping the finest Champagne imported from France*

[Nebby]

*experimenting with new gluten-free paleo diets*

[Nebby]

*writing novels*

[heavoldgotjuice]

*sitting outside, adventurously*

[moonman157]

Thats why people ask you about your interests, to see if you're BSing or if you really are into that activity/subject. But if you can't think of anything to talk about other than job related stuff, then you're exactly the kind of person a lot of employers are worried about, and that's exactly why they have you put down interests on your resume.

[Nebby]

Thanks why people ask you about your interests, to see if you're BSing or if you really are into that activity/subject. But if you can't think of anything to talk about other than job related stuff, then you're exactly the kind of person a lot of employers are worried about, and that's exactly why they have you put down interests on your resume.

Elaborate

Is this solely in the OCI context?

[moonman157]

Thanks why people ask you about your interests, to see if you're BSing or if you really are into that activity/subject. But if you can't think of anything to talk about other than job related stuff, then you're exactly the kind of person a lot of employers are worried about, and that's exactly why they have you put down interests on your resume.

Elaborate

You're an aspie nerd that they would never want to spend a second with outside the office/would dread getting stuck working with late at night on an emergency project

[LeDique]

"Interests available upon request"

Seriously though, if it's only for conversation then why can I not just bring it up during the interview? The interests section seems to be the most fake part of an entire resume. I bet that 75% of interest are total bullshit. See post above.

Because it's not for you to bring up. How would that make sense anyway, "…and that's what I did at my 1L summer job. Also, I like fishing on the weekends!" It's there for interviewers to make small talk with you and assess your personality, not for you to throw in as the world's most awkward segue.

I'm really not sure why you're so averse to an interest section.

[MidwestLifer]

*Gets answer to question with super easy solution*
*Vigorously fights answer*

[Nebby]

Is an interest separate from a hobby?

[kckool7]

Are there people who really lack any legitimate, non-controversial interests? I feel bad for them. It's there for small talk.

[MidwestLifer]

Is an interest separate from a hobby?

Are you interested in your hobbies?

[nsideirish]

A huge part of the OCI process is connecting to the interviewers. Not just having great grades and a great resume (although, of course, that is a huge part). As pointed out above, most firms are trying to avoid aspie nerds (most, not all). You have a short 20 minutes to make some kind of connection with a screener. The interests section is critical.

[Nebby]

Long-distance running; grilling and smoking meats; college basketball; fair-trade, organic coffee

[kckool7]

Long-distance running; grilling and smoking meats; college basketball; fair-trade, organic coffee

The first three seem legit to me.

[heavoldgotjuice]

personally I'm not including an interests section ... I'm a young intelligent attractive outgoing (did i mention attractive?)... I'm not an antisocial, type-A gunner with no interests, so i doubt i need to prove it to them before being selected to interview. getting the interview likely will not depend on your interests section ... the actual meeting w/ the interviewer will give them the impression of whether they like you or not. just because you both like to swim in the ocean does not mean you will get the job. they'll know if ur undesirable from just talking to you for a few minutes...