How nerdy can I be with the interests on my resume?

I don't want to give examples because if I end up putting them on, someone will realize that I asked WSO first but how nerdy can I be for my interests. My interests are all like either super weird and nerdy or super mainstream, and I don't want to put mainstream stuff on cuz everyone has it.

 

It's a risk, so totally up to you. Maybe add one obscure one to a mainstream list, hoping you catch one interviewer that also has that weird interest.

If it's not too odd it might help you through. If it's something super strange, it might be a red flag. 

For example, I don't put "hunting" on my resume because that could automatically red flag me, I put "outdoors" and if anyone asks I can feel out my response.

 
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In this environment, it's just such a toss up that it's not worth it for me.

I've gotten all but one of my jobs through warm connections that are well aware of my interests, so I'm not scared to mention it to people. And I'll absolutely tell my boss that I'm out in the blind for a few hours so I am legitimately unreachable. 

I am scared of some HR person getting scared or upset that I killed a cute little animal for dinner (not to mention the shit that happens I'm factory farms that no one blinks at).

I would recommend you go, it's a very interesting experience, especially when you go with good people. My dad, brothers and I duck hunt and I wouldn't trade those hours in the blind for anything, even when we don't even see a duck.

Get a few buddies or something and book a guide, they'll hook you up with a good spot and good instruction. Plus, in this industry, there isn't time to scout and maintain the equipment necessary to make sure you actually get on some game. Plus, that trip is something your group will always remember.

 

This isn't Fight Club where you'll be "stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center" lol, would be badass but the proportion of people in NYC that have done that are insanely small unfortunately

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 
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As others have said, don't put any red flags / controversial items. Overall I'd say the interests section is highly underrated if you put some legitimate stuff down there. I fully believe I landed my first BB internship through talking about collecting sneakers with an MD who happened to be a sneakerhead. It was an interview with 2 MD's, so I ended explaining how the sneaker secondary market worked using equity markets as an analogy to the other MD who was completely unaware of sneakerhead stuff.

I would caution to not bullshit in this section, as in don't put anything you're a surface level fan/hobbyist of. I have chess written down, and have been asked what my rating is, what openings I play, and who my favorite GM's are and why. This is the reason I deleted poker long ago- I'm not anything more than a casual player... but shoutout Phil Hellmuth.

 

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