Appropriate for 'Interests' on resume?

Calling Frieds

Show but don't tell.

on a side note, have you seen Frieds blog? http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/9690

NONONONONONONONONONONONOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ever hear of potential upside/downside? I assume you know something about finance or are pursuing a finance job or perhaps have invested money and understand the possibility of potential upside and downside.

The upside is that you manage to find the one person on Wall St who is willing and enjoys talking about beer with people who have been 21+ for 2 years. Then they maybe try to shove you up the line and get you a job. Benefits roughly equal to a few networking calls and developing a relationship with someone.

Downside is you potentially look like an idiot frat kid to the people reviewing your resumes (both HR and front office-- put yourself in their shoes), or worst case is the BYU grad throws the resume in the trash the second she sees it.

So, since we're finance people and we love math and equations and shit like that, let's solve this using numbers. Let G = the gain realized by putting alcohol stuff on your resume.

Expected G = (probability someone likes alcohol stuff on your resume * increased odds of getting the job) + (probability they don't like it * decreased odds of getting the job)

I'll be generous with the numbers..... Expected G = (50% * 50%) + (50% * negative infinity) = negative infinity

Now granted this is inexact and the margin of error is 5.425%, but I think this should elucidate the situation.

This may help you:

http://goinswriter.com/not-funny/

As several have mentioned before, the trolling on WSO ain't what it used to be.

im actually not kidding

Might as well just be more direct and try one of these:

-- Boning -- Pussy -- Fucking

Some older people don't know Tinder well.

I would recommend a catalogue of your tinder conquers.

They generally like it. I'm an awesome skier, and everyone can relate to that, so when i put freestyle skiing under interests, people are like "whooa what's that, you can do that, wowoooo!". (double ++ since EVERYONE in finance skis)

in other interviews people have mentioned the love of adrenaline and pressure works well in an IBD environment, and hence an ability to demonstrate your skill in that area is good

"adrenaline sports"

wtf is skiing? can i get one in my cubicle?

Rule #1 of resumes is be ready to speak in detail about anything you put on there during an interview. If you put skydiving on your resume, get asked about it (you probably will) and say you've only done it once you'll sound like a tool. On the other hand, if you truly do partake in any activity such as the ones you listed above and could speak to it it will be a big boost, the crazier/riskier the better since it sets you apart and is more interesting.

It's best if you can put something tangible down as a line item.

There is no risk management in a mere hang glider ride that is run by a hang four tandem certified pilot if you happen to get on. Solo flights are a different story. The deal is the same in technical diving, paragliding, and whitewater rafting. A recruiter will want to see you (A) taking the personal risk and (B) fully owning and managing that risk.

I see no indication of B without a clearly defined accomplishment you can put on a resume line item.

Line items I would notice as a recruiter and pay immediate attention to include, but were not limited to:

-PADI/NAUI/SSI Rescue Diver/Divemaster/Instructor -TDI/UTD certs (Deco diving, cave, wreck penetration, etc.) -USHPA pilot ratings (Paragliding/Hang gliding) -WERA, USMA, or other motorcycle racing certs (ideally listing a few races) -Major skiing races. -Solo climbing experience -Skydiving licenses

All of the above show some demonstration (some more than others) of a capacity to take, accept, and manage risk.

I'm not one to comment on what looks toolish and what looks badass since everyone has a bit of a different definition. But I think it's smart to list an accomplishment on a resume only if the interviewer sees it as an accomplishment.

Every diver will see "Rescue Diver" as a certification they earned. Same with Divemaster (especially Divemaster), along with most of their technical ratings. The same goes for any solo USHPA rating, especially one earned in the Northeast. Most folks who ride motorcycles will consider a literal track record an accomplishment. But there are also a lot of folks with these sorts of backgrounds in banking, trading, and research. So don't claim you are a hang gliding fan after getting towed up behind a plane for a tandem when you're sitting across the table from a guy who has a H4 tandem rating.

If you are interested in hang gliding and in getting solo experience, I can hook you up with an instructor in the NY area. He is considered one of the best in the country. If you want to get your hang 2 or 3, you WILL get a lot of flights in and have one or two genuine scary stories to tell by the time you get to an interview. It will also involve dozens of days spent on a training hill and dealing with New York's flaky weather.

Thrill junkie and financial markets seems like a terrible combination. Sounds like something Enron would like.

And even in IBD, if you're a thrill junkie wouldn't you hate sitting in a cubicle correcting grammar mistakes?

Just playing the devil's advocate here. If I saw all kinds of crap like sharks and parachuting and cliff diving, I'd wonder if an office job is even for you.

shark cage diving. I want to try this too.

you're coming at this from the wrong angle, ie, one where people do not like or enjoy their job. if people like the pressure, the rush of doing deals etc.. then they get their fix through work, it's not the same fix but it is similar; if you enjoy your job.

Sorry, I just don't buy that at all. First, the idea of an excel monkey is there for a reason- it's the time to hunker down and sit in the cubicle. Thrill seeking = ADHD = restless = fidgety = unreliable. And it's even worse (in the other direction) for any risk-carrying role in S&T.

Second, motivated and enjoying a sennse of accomplishment is different from skydiving and shark dancing (or whatever). You need people who can operate reliably on a less intense wavelength at times, if that makes sense- not somebody who is going to get bored working on a prospectus for 6 hours straight.

But this is just one guy's opinion. Your's makes a certain amount of sense to some.

Gun collector here. See who's laughing now.

is muscle building/fitness on a vegetarian diet a good one? one of my friends is really into gym/fitness/veg diets and was grilled about it... loved talking about it... one of the senior guys asked him to make a diet/exercise plan for him :D (he got the job also)

Getting a rush from work is nothing like getting rush outdoors in a new environment, doing something physical that you've never done before. Some people need that rush!

Forget the Henley regatta. Just put years sailed.

What? Dude, why would you get dinged for that? I'm still an undergraduate, h/w, I think the more unique the interests the better -- maybe you could say "accomplished []" instead of listing the races.

Because it could have the potential to turn someone off. It's in the same vein as wearing a better tie than an analyst during one's SA internship. Sort of get what I'm saying?

sailing is a good interest to list I think --- a lot of guys in the business like sailing

Any hobby, no matter how WASP or patrician, should not get you dinged, if you spin it the right way. 10 years of sailing? That shows commitment.

A sailor? Good man! It worked for Owen Wilson in Wedding Crashers so why not you?

Nothing wrong with sailing. I rowed in the Henley Regatta for my high school and had it listed on my resume. Turned out one of my interviewers had also done the exact same thing.

List it.

Good luck.

There's nothing douchey about sailing unless you're Thurston Howell. Absolutely list it. Way better than golf.

No problem with sailing - demonstrate commitment and achievement and you are good to go...if it is there just to take up space...then yes you will be preceived as pretentious

Sorry to semi-hijack this thread, but how appropriate is it to put accomplishments from high school under the interests and activities heading. I've won a number of major awards for one of my (otherwise very common and plain-sounding) high school activities that I have continued as a hobby.

if you raced to mackinac...id hire ya

New Yorker I always knew you were a homosexual.

Only reason I wouldn't list it would be if you're Tony Hayward, otherwise go for it

You're interests show the real you. Interviews are about fit as much as competence.

I hope you all realize this is a troll post.

Eh...Just Put Television Shows...

I thought of numerous wise ass remarks, but I'll try to hold back.

Your resume is generally the first thing they see. You want to make every thing you put on it represent good expereince/skills/qualities that you (hopefully) have. If you think saying that you watch reruns of Seinfeld would make them think you are right for the position, go ahead. Less competition for me.

Just because something makes you stand out doesn't mean it'll help you. They're running a serious business, not a match.com.

Why the fuck would you want to put that?

As a former associate who helped a lot with recruiting, as well as a self-annointed resume nazi, i have to say that if your list of interests at the bottom of the page included seinfeld re-runs (or simpsons, or any other cult comedy), you would likely score with a number of the associates in charge of screening you at initial interviews and super days. MDs could care less. Your risk is with an all too full of himself 1st or 2nd year VP. Of course, that assumes that you could pick up on subtle references and carry the jokes at the outset or end of an interview.

That said, this would only be the case if your resume was very strong over all (including format). Most analysts do a poor job at crafting a strong resume.

I'm an associate with a small private wealth firm and the entirety of the analyst recruiting is on my plate. I would ding you for putting any television show on your resume, whether or not I like it, unless the rest of your resume is great. I also just dinged a guy for putting "fanatic video gamer" even though I myself enjoy video games. Your resume is the most important advertisement for your personal brand. Why market yourself as a TV-watcher rather than a world-changer? Do yourself a favor: put rock climbing or Indochinese history, but not TV.

I think our ideal thing to see in the interests section of a resume is your titles and achievements (hopefully at a national or international level) in sports.

No one here wants to work at your craphole private wealth firm...

That being said, I'd have to agree, you are taking a big risk by doing so.

An interest is something you actively pursue, who the fuck actively pursues watching Seinfeld?

Would it be okay to list classic rock under interests, or is this also unprofessional like listing Seinfeld?

I wouldn't even recommend putting down television shows under your hobbies...the VPs & MDs want to know that in your free-time your activities are social/athletic in nature...you're not going to be sitting down with CFOs at pitches talking about what Seinfeld rerun was on last night. They're going to be schmoozing about the Red Sox game, or that awesome wine tasting they went to in the Hamptons Memorial Day weekend.

recruiters go through thousands of resumes, spending less than a minute on each one. why bother wasting space/their time on saying you like classic rock or seinfeld!?

put activities that distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack. common sense imo.

Would you even put that on your Facebook profile? It is not that you shouldn't put something of your interests, but only do it if it is an interesting interest or you can write it in a funny way.

continued...

I did this and had a Vice-Chairman of a top 2 BB tell me he liked it.

Lol... top 2 BB??

I feel like most of the comments here (don't list it) are probably the safe choice but I feel the OP on this one...I wish I could list Seinfeld as an interest Anyone who doesn't appreciate it being listed on my resume should himself be fired and his job should be given to me. The show is by far one of the best products television has offered us (though...that's not saying much I guess considering the fact that 99% of TV shows are utter crap anyway)

i screened some resumes at a very very selective top tier alternative investment fund this summer during some not so busy time with a 2nd year VP, and if we liked a kid, and they had something humorous or unique like this to add at the bottom, we ate it up. you are going to be working with the people who are reading your resumes. their liking you can definitely help...but it only will if the rest is respectable

Totally agree.

If somebody can make me laugh, I appreciate it. So assuming the rest of a resume is flawless... then by the time I get to the interests section... if you caught me by surprise and I smiled, that's a good thing for you. The bottom line is this, we work f'n long hours. If I sense that someone can bring levity to a team, and the cultural fit is good, it will sway me over some 3.98999 gpa candidate with no personality.

Sorry Mis Ind, sports on a national or international level don't impress me, that's just me though :-(

Btw, I love Seinfeld. So many favorite episodes. One of my favorites was on the other night...

It's the one where Jerry makes a new friend - that bball player - and Jerry wants to introduce himself but can't figure out how. But the bball player introduces himself first and says "I always wanted to do what you do". Jerry gets infatuated and he talks about him like a woman would a new boyfriend. He tells Elaine, "Its been 3 days, why hasn't he called me?" Hilarious. HAHAHA

Now what's that baseball players name? What's his NAME?!? Ugh. It's killing me.