The primary purpose of a resume is to provide relevant and material information about one’s professional background: Work experience, work history, education, awards, professional activities and memberships. Rarely does it provide insight into who a candidate is as a person… His/her likes, dislikes, work ethic, temperament or personality etc. Those qualities are more readily assessed during the interview stage.
But can personal information such as a person’s interests provide value? An advantage? Insight? Is it information that must…or must not be included?
The viability of a candidate does not hinge on the personal information category of a resume. So we’re not talking about a make or break issue. I think very few professionals have that expectation. But it can serve as a nuance, an add-on or enhancement depending on the quality of the particulars. Most personal information included on resumes lack the uniqueness to provide great insight. Common examples include:
Enjoy cooking, Reading spy novels, Traveling, Running, Skiing, Married with [two] children.
These are nice, but they are not noteworthy in the career context for a conversation piece. So then are such descriptions a detriment? Should they be avoided at all costs? No. It’s perfectly fine to include them. But it’s also important to know that such common descriptions will pique little, if no interest. So not including them is fine as well. And if you have space and formatting issues on your resume, bland descriptions are best left off.
Distinctive facts or interests on the other hand, can provide some added insight and serve as terrific conversation topics if a candidate is invited to interview. For example:
- Member, UCLA Varsity Tennis Team
- Climbed the 5 highest mountain peaks in the world
- Winery owner and wine maker (producing Pinot Noir)
- Restore vintage 1960’s VW Microbuses
- Black Belt in Karate
- US Navy SEAL Captain
These types of “personal” descriptions are not only distinctive; they are hobbies and accomplishments that can provide a window into the candidate beyond his/her work qualifications. For example, one could conclude that a former military member or world-class athlete possessed a great work ethic, team mentality, discipline, concentration, goal setting and goal achieving abilities: All desirable qualities in an employee – and interesting topics to discuss in an interview. So value exists to supplement an already viable resume. With this said, unique personal information won’t override an otherwise unqualified candidate – no matter how outstanding.
Personal interests/activities are not material ingredients for an effective resume. So including…or omitting this section will have little impact on the scales that weigh the viability of one’s candidacy. But eye-catching notations can provide greater insights into other aspects of who you are that could work to your benefit if your candidacy moves forward.