Hi all
Long time lurker on here who avidly reads several posts although seldom replies but was just wondering if anyone included or would include the hobby of Watches and Horology on their CVs? If so, has it ever been raised in an interview etc?
As you might have guessed, I’m in the process of updating my CV and am curious to gauge opinions on this so any feedback gratefully received.
Just thinking it might be a good conversation starter in an interview and slightly different to the “what handicap do you play off” question?
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Personally I’ve never understood why people include stuff on their CV like “I enjoy reading, socialising and feeding my cat”. Says nothing, adds nothing. But then again I’ve not been employed for many years and have probably never been employable so what do I know?
I don't put any interests on my CV but even if I did I doubt I would mention watches/horology. It can come across the wrong way. At least in my job/at my level. I think it would read similar to polo, shooting, yachting etc
Probably too niche and you could be sailing very close to coming across as a geek or a Flash Harry.
Maybe best to stick with usual golf (sporty/sociable), travel (broadens the mind etc etc) and walking (not a sloth). Send the right message and creates a talking point whilst making you a good 'well rounded' person.
Oh dear... I list both shooting and watches on mine!Originally Posted by wileeeeeey
I have a very short section about me personally. Who you are as non professional often massively affects how well you will fit company culture etc. I've been asked about it once - just don't say 'I only like flash stuff'.
Most won't care.
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Why not?
It shouldn’t be inappropriate for the position though.
When interviewing anyone, I always look for anything interesting or something other than the usual boring cliches.
If one is applying for a competitive position, these are the kind of things that set one apart from the rest other than skills/abilities/experience.
Maybe that's my own insecurity coming across. I work in sales so saying you like watches will come across (most times) in a certain way. I tend not to wear a Rolex to work for that reason and stick to Omega/Seiko/Tudor.
I guess it depends if it's listed as watches or horology? That being said if I saw a CV where the applicant said they were into watches I might just have them in to see what they wear and if they combine said watch with masses of hair gel and a shiny suit.
I think if included you should have some answers if questioned on the topic. To say you are interested in watches and recently have been following a discussion about an AD losing a warranty card or Watchfinder's sale, probably would not be of benefit.
If you can talk about history of brands and their evolution and development within the industry, that could be skills as researching, interpretation etc.
It was used to be said that you should put something on your CV about your interests, to show that you were a rounded individual not a work-obsessed freak - but these days it seems that only work obsessed freaks need apply! And for interests, it seems that you need to demonstrate your value to the community via your leadership skills or some such bullsh!t (Yes, I'm unemployable as well).
I probably wouldn't mention an interest in watches on your CV - too niche, mostly incomprehensible to people reading your CV and may make you sound like a weird nerd. I never mentioned my trainspotting interests for similar reasons...........
From what you're all saying, I'm beinning to think that putting down 'serial killers' as one of my interests might not have been beneficial for all these years.
As others have said, it can send the wrong message whereas sport & travel stuff (for example) is more widely appreciated.
IMHO the only exception could be if I knew the person looking at the CV would be interested in that sort of stuff. My wife recently showed me a job posting and on the company's website, one of the board members had mentioned "passion for fine watches" on his brief public profile. If I were to apply for a job there, I might consider adding my watch interest but only on the copy of the CV to be sent to that particular company.
Tell them nothing. They are not paying you in your leisure time. There seems little to gain and more to be lost.
It may sound like asking for a raise in advance!
Like when on a blind date she.tells you "I'm into diamonds and champagne"
Hahaahahahahahahhahah.
Hey
Wasn't there a similar topic like 10 years ago? We should see how that job interview went.
Anyway, it's not in my CV, rather I would finish off the interview by appreciating the interviewer's timepiece, when feeling the interview is going well and casually dropping in "yeah, I'm a bit of a watch geek, time is so fascinating" rather than "hey my son has a fossil just like yours!". That wouldn't feel proper.
...
BUBI 0_0
No, no and thrice no.
Unless you're applying for an engineering role or that of a surgeon in which case, maybe.
I wouldn't include it unless you are applying for a job in the watch industry - I see a fair few CVs and it just seems weird to list an interest in watches on your CV - at least in finance where I work.
If just buying watches no (not really different to buying lots of handbags or shoes) but if includes study (and esp.) repair etc might be worth including (and state this). Gives something for interviewer to talk about (if he/she wants to).
Haven't had an interview for years though so may well be talking b#ll#cks here!
The problem:
Some of your audience won't know what horology is. It sounds like you enjoy horror films.
Those who do know what it is will mark you as an introvert, a loner and possibly someone who doesn't know how to write a CV.
Those who like watches themselves and would be interested in discussing them may suspect you're a member of TZ and may automatically discount you as a potential candidate.
The one remaining reader for whom the insertion of an interest in watches on your CV is a positive is unlikely to be swayed if your other skills aren't up to the job.
Unless you're applying for a job where a nerdy interest horology is of benefit I'd leave it off.
People tend to put sporting interests on a C.V. because it can indicate a level of health and social interest, which could help an employer make a decision between two candidates.
"Oh, that's interesting. Are you active on any internet forums?"
"Yes, TZ-UK"
"Close the door behind you, please"
Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.
Long time since I've had to do a CV and also a long time since I went to work (nearly 7 years now), but I don't see it as relevent. As stated sporting activities, especially doing it rather than watching it are good.
You could always say hobbies include rust repairing, cats retrieved from trees and Mothers and Daughters comforted 😂
Another no. I don’t think any outside interests are relevant on a CV, and from an HR perspective in most cases shouldn’t form part of a selection process anyway - so why include them?
Simply liking wearing watches, owning watches, reading about watches, or looking at pictures of watches isn’t going to help any application. It doesn’t even seem to be a requirement for people selling watches.
Having said that if you can repair mechanical watches or profit from buying and selling then that does demonstrate some skills, but that is probably better raised at a later stage in conversation and when people have already warmed to you.
I`d advise to not mention the horology on your CV and stick to more wholesome, mainstream
and commonly accepted recreational activities such as growing asparagus, collecting string or rearranging the periodic table.
I see no issues with it. I do lots of big presentations at industry events and on my bio in the programme notes it lists one of my interests as horology. It isn't an evil hobby and actually I'm past caring whether or not someone thinks more or less of me based on that - I'd rather they form an opinion based on my presentation and the work I do. Doubtful someone is going to think 'that guy is doing a big presentation on Artificial Intelligence at today's conference and I'm really interested in what he has to say but he says he likes watches so I've already decided I hate him'!
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Last edited by ryanb741; 28th November 2019 at 19:01.
It's in my CV but as something like 'researching, repairing and collecting vintage watches'. I don't see the problem.
I wouldn't. It's a bit like saying you like handbags or shoes. It might go down well if you're into that sort of thing but most aren't.
No.
Akin to putting 'trainspotter' to most people.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
I just wouldn't bother. I met and interviewed a guy who listed horology in his interests and it just wasn't the most important criteria at the time! An appropriate time to spark up a chat about watches is unlikely to occur during an interview situation.
Mrs T-7 is an HR Director and I just asked her what she'd think if somebody put that they were interested in watches on their cv. Her answer was "I'd think they were a complete dork like you!" So there you go :-/
Another "no."
Thank you very much everyone for your valued and informative inputs - it makes for very interesting reading as do many of the posts on here.
I must admit that I find myself checking people’s timepieces whether at work or not and then if interesting enough, sometimes starting a conversation about it if a suitable opportunity presents itself? I hope I’m not the only one who does that!
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In the past I've been told by recruiters that it helps to give a good impression if you have some distinctive interests, especially team-oriented ones. But anything that might add a bit of colour or flesh out your personality a bit is better than nothing, IMO. Anything to give a sense that you're a bit interesting, and might get on well in a group of people.
You're not using your CV as a selection mechanism through which a recruiter will assess you to see if you're good enough to warrant giving the stage to for an AI presentation.
It matters not whether you put horology or an interest in field mushrooms.
But if you're applying for a mid-level position in a relatively bland sector, it could mark you out negatively by a narrow-minded interviewer.
I'm not saying that's right. But I am saying it's life. People judge based on ignorance.
Indeed. On biogs as a conference speaker or exhibitor I’ve been known to include a final throwaway line describing myself as a whisky drinking curry eating fat bloke. But I’m not trying to sell myself to an HR bod.
I've always thought that the interview process goes both ways. If my potential colleagues are going to be ignorant, narrow minded and bland then I'd want to know so I could walk away chuckling. I already have the BP.
^That's a great point. For a top-tier, highly valued candidate, I would agree.
For the rest of us, we won't know why we were rejected. It makes sense for us to give ourselves the best chance we can.
I love that kind of thing.
One company I worked for had mini-profiles on their corporate intranet. Nobody read them. On mine, I put that I had once 'produced earth wind and fire'.
A bad curry can have that effect.
^yes.
On a side note, have you given up the BP?
As Ryan seems to work in AI, I was considering starting a thread on it. I don't really know enough to do so though, and we'd probably get on to philosophy quite quickly in any case.
Surely you have gone to an interview, realised the folks interviewing you were not people you'd want to work with, that you didn't like the ethos, or that they had misrepresented the job they were offering and simply withdrawn?
Yes and no.
I see the interviewers as gatekeepers. Often I just want to work for the company full stop and it doesn't matter to me who the interviewer is unless they're going to have a material impact on my day-to-day role.
I did reject a company once based on the interviewer. My first meeting was with the CEO. Went fine. Next, I was interviewed by the head of the department in which I would work. He was drunk.
Pretty well, yes. I'm sure someone will drag me in at some point. I don't work in it, thankfully, but I can talk nonsense about it until the cows come home.^
On a side note, have you given up the BP?
As Ryan seems to work in AI, I was considering starting a thread on it. I don't really know enough to do so though, and we'd probably get on to philosophy quite quickly in any case.
I met him in the pub later, he was quite clear that he wouldn't have offered a job to anyone wearing an Orange Monster on a Lime green NATO.
If 'interest in watches' is the first thing you'll think of to say about yourself excluding all the work-relevant bits, then maybe yes. Otherwise, no. Unless you're applying to a watch company.
I'd only add something in the interests section if you can back it up with something formal, like a qualification or achievement in it. I don't put anything like that in mine (and nothing relating to watches or other interests).
If I was interviewing a 16YO, then things like hobbies are relevant in the same way O-levels are relevant: because at 16 you have nothing else to provide a clue as to your character or achievements.
If a 26YO came to me for a post, and listed their hobbies, I'd assume they'd only recently started work - and whyever that might be, a red flag will have been raised...
If a 36YO presented a CV that listed their hobbies - and it was for anything other than flipping burgers or something in IT - it would immediately be filed in the open-topped filing cabinet in the corner of the room...
Anyone over that age, and I'd ask them if their carer knew where they are....
Quality!
Now that does open a can of worms.
What assumptions (if any) would you make if a candidate for a middle manager role turned up wearing the following (not all at the same time):
- DRSD or pre-Moon Speedie
- Anything on a TF Nato
- Six or seven rubber wristbands and a skull ring
Lot of truth to this.
Applicants are pre-vetted by computer, rated by set answers to stock questions.
I probably should be looking for a new job, but the idea depresses me too much as I know most are looking for young drones who will toe the corporate line and I've never fitted that mould... I don't play golf, for a start!
I wouldn't list an interest in watches although I don't see it as a negative.
M
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Last edited by snowman; 29th November 2019 at 15:20.
Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?
I interview lots of people and we are always interested in other interests they have. Many people put strange interests on their CVs and over the years I have seen Taxidermy, erotic photography (female applicant) and collecting vintage jars. The reason we are interested is that the work can be very challenging and emotionally draining. We want people to be able to leave it behind as much as possible and concentrate on other things that take them away from work.
^That is very interesting.
Which hobbies do you see as a positive and which are negative - or are they all positive?
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