Interests Line on Resume?
I am just wondering how much I can nerd out with my interests line on my resume. My problem is that the stuff I'm interested in is either too nerdy or too generic, and I know people advise against being generic.
I am just wondering how much I can nerd out with my interests line on my resume. My problem is that the stuff I'm interested in is either too nerdy or too generic, and I know people advise against being generic.
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I asked this same question recently. I only have two highlights under interests and feel they are both impressive. The first is that I have competed in snowboarding boardercross and have competed at nationals twice. Also, triathlon (I am an Ironman).
I also like Muay Thai, but left that off the resume. I’d probably put it on the resume if I had a winning fight record.
Nice, that’s sick. Congrats on the Ironman
Thx 🍻
What are the interests in question? I'd definitely lean towards being too nerdy over too generic. While I don't share an interest in 15th century war attire, I would ask you about it if it were on your resume and it's certainly a memorable networking conversation.
As long as your nerdy interests aren't "Building M&A Models" and you can actually talk about them, they are an asset
Second that. I dig nerdy interests when interviewing summer analyst/analyst candidates. If they can talk about it, shows they’re smart and actually dedicated.
Be careful though, if you can’t talk about it well - it’s a red flag. Looks like you’re just putting smart sounding things on your resume, yet know zero on the topic.
Don't take the interests section lightly, it's an easy way to differentiate yourself. Generic is no bueno, nerdy is risky depending on what it is.
Think of the gigantic pool of resumes that come in - top schools, top GPAs, clubs/case comps etc. When I sort resumes, it all starts to blur. Looking at interests is a really easy albeit lazy filter for certain things. Interests like "financial modeling" are a red flag, nobody does that shit as a hobby. But things like, I dunno, skydiving stick out. If you listed interests like what Isaiah mentioned, all other things checking out of course, I would be interested in talking to you.
Be you, even if it is nerdy. They want someone with personality, especially if it's different from theirs.
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