Martial Arts on CV Hobbies

[Grasshopper22]

Hey, I'm going to write my CV this weekend and under 'Hobbies and Interests' I'm going to put 'Ju-Jitsu' because that's the martial art that I do but how could I expand on that? It shows that I like to keep myself in good health. I like to socialise and meet new people? Any ideas are welcome, thank you! :-) Or should I not put it because they'll think I'm a violent person? Help!

[Bill Mattocks]

Hobbies do not belong on resumes; ever. Nothing, nada, do not do it.

If I get a resume (as we call them here) with hobbies listed, it goes directly into the trash. Same if it mentions the applicant's religion, skin color, or includes a photo. These things do not belong on a resume (CV). Work experience and education, professional certifications, publications, and other things directly relevant to the job, nothing more.

Your call, but I'd avoid it like the plague.

[lklawson]

I conclude that your work & life experience is still a bit "thin" and you're looking for ways to "flesh it out" a bit. That's OK, being young isn't bad. You need to get a "Guide to Writing Resume's" or the like. There's a thousand of them for free on the 'net. Google a few up and take their advice.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[jks9199]

Listing hobbies on a resume should be limited to relevant hobbies to the job. It is very rare but maybe for example photography if you're trying for a first job is tography studio. Once you have an actual work experience that should be there not hobby experience.
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[puunui]

I wouldn't put martial arts or hobbies on your resume.

[Carol]

You're getting advice from an American point of view, where don't often put hobbies on our resume. The European CV is a bit more detailed than our resumes tend to be. Here is an article from a UK paper about hobbies on a CV.

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/cv-interests-hobbies

For martial arts, its a gamble. Many don't want their colleagues or employers to know they train. Some may not care but don't wish to advertise it. I actually did take a chance, and my martial arts training help me get my last two jobs -- one that I had for 5 years, and the one where I currently work now. It is not magic -- I was a strong candidate to begin with. But in each case I could draw a relevant parallel between my martial arts experience and what I'd be doing as an engineer.

[puunui]

You're getting advice from an American point of view, where don't often put hobbies on our resume. The European CV is a bit more detailed than our resumes tend to be.

Good point, never occurred to me that there may be a difference. And I just spoke to a friend living in London this morning.

[Gnarlie]

I always had it on my CV when I was in England. Worked well for me, never had a problem getting work. I didn't put it on there until I got my 1st Dan, Criminal Records Bureau clearance and Instructor's course done. Then I made it clear that I was a practising instructor. This was partly on the grounds that the first question people ask when they find out you 'do' martial arts is.....'are you a black belt?'. I saw the way people reacted face to face when the answer to that question was 'No'. People lost interest. So, maybe put it on is my answer, but be clear about why it's there, and what kind of transferable work skills that represents.

Incidentally, photographs are pretty much de rigeur with a CV in Germany.

[jks9199]

I always had it on my CV when I was in England. Worked well for me, never had a problem getting work. I didn't put it on there until I got my 1st Dan, Criminal Records Bureau clearance and Instructor's course done. Then I made it clear that I was a practising instructor. This was partly on the grounds that the first question people ask when they find out you 'do' martial arts is.....'are you a black belt?'. I saw the way people reacted face to face when the answer to that question was 'No'. People lost interest. So, maybe put it on is my answer, but be clear about why it's there, and what kind of transferable work skills that represents.

Incidentally, photographs are pretty much de rigeur with a CV in Germany.

I've also heard this; if you're going to list MA on a resume or CV -- don't do it unless you're a black belt. The black belt infers a degree of commitment to a course of study or action.

[puunui]

I've also heard this; if you're going to list MA on a resume or CV -- don't do it unless you're a black belt. The black belt infers a degree of commitment to a course of study or action.

What if you study a style that doesn't award dan ranking?

[Gnarlie]

What if you study a style that doesn't award dan ranking?

The words 'fully qualified / certified practising martial arts instructor' carry the same meaning to a non-martial artist employer, I'd say. I would try to infer transferable skills such as lesson planning, classroom management, time management, leadership, public speaking and so on. The list is endless. Martial arts are awesome, after all

[jks9199]

What if you study a style that doesn't award dan ranking?

Refrain from including it unless you're at an equivalent level, I guess.

Here in the US, I wouldn't generally include it unless there was some particular relevance. Like applying for a position teaching martial arts, or maybe some other sort of teaching position. And I'd be ready to support that relevance. Gnarlie has a few examples of where there might be relevance. If you sit on an organizational board or the like, that might also be worth including -- but I could also see it as a negative. I could see a potential employer reading "Board of Directors, National Martial Arts Organization", and wondering whether your hobbies take too much of your time and attention.

[Daniel Sullivan]

I only list it because I actually teach and am compensated for my services. I list it as part time work, however, not as a hobby. I don't put hobbies on my resume, but if the application asks about hobbies (some do), that would be the place to list it. As Carol pointed out, this is from a US perspective.

[lklawson]

I only list it because I actually teach and am compensated for my services. I list it as part time work, however, not as a hobby. I don't put hobbies on my resume, but if the application asks about hobbies (some do), that would be the place to list it. As Carol pointed out, this is from a US perspective.

I avoid listing prior jobs, experience (or hobbies) which are not directly related to the job I am applying for or, for a generic resume, the general market.

For instance, I didn't list my experience as a Security Guard when applying for IT positions.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[jks9199]

I only list it because I actually teach and am compensated for my services. I list it as part time work, however, not as a hobby. I don't put hobbies on my resume, but if the application asks about hobbies (some do), that would be the place to list it. As Carol pointed out, this is from a US perspective.

And, in most resumes, part time work doesn't get listed unless it's relevant to the position or necessary to explain a gap in employment. In the US, your resume is a "sell me" page, showing how you're qualified for a job. In fact, today, the advice is generally to tailor each resume to the job in question.