How Pursuing the Right Hobbies Can Advance Your Career

How Pursuing the Right Hobbies Can Advance Your Career ykumsri Fotolia.com Resumes have changed considerably in the last few years. Many sections have been added and many have become obsolete, one of which is the Hobbies and Interests section. When conducting a search, potential employers and executive recruiters tend to ignore hobbies, with the exception of a few activities that show many soft and hard skills. Hobbies to include in a resume Ive had two clients who climbed Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount McKinley. What do you think that shows a potential employer about their endurance, resilience, commitment and dedication? Closer to home, there are marathons, triathlons, Ironmans, and we cant forget those crazy mud races. Placing or even just finishing these events also sends a clear message to a future employer. Many also partake in other competitive team sports, and have won notable trophies as amateur athletes. If you were on a varsity team at your university and you won a significant competition, then that is worthy of noting in a resume. More relaxing and solitary hobbies such as knitting or woodworking are not as captivating and can be omitted. Hobbies to pursue Quieter hobbies still hold enormous benefits for your personal life and career, even if youre not promoting them on your resume. To balance your life you should pursue whatever hobbies will help transition your thoughts away from your work or your job search. As a career coach, I actively encourage my clients to become fully immersed in something they are passionate about. This also creates a great conversation point for networking events, job interviews and other meetings, helping to break down barriers and build relationships. Imagine how much more comfortable a conversation with an interviewer or colleague will be once youve established a mutual interest and point of context! The media today is full of stories about the balance between personal and work life. Im sure we have all over-stretched ourselves with our work, often because of circumstances that are out of our control. Hobbies? Who has time for hobbies? That may be true, but now its time to rein in the dictates from various people and take control of YOUR life. You are in charge today and tomorrow, next month, and next year of your career and personal life. Will you take charge?