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A quick question about CV.

Should I put personal achievements that's not related to my professional life or career in my resume?

I was involved in a semi-professional sports team, with which I represented GB in 3 world championships. I'm particularly proud of my accomplishments, requiring a high degree of discipline, perseverence, team work etc etc.... and all the good stuff.

However, i'm also a little wary that my "hobby" did interfer with my work to some degree. Although I performed at work, and remained professional, I have noticed that my productivity and creativity increassed significantly after I retired from my team.

Henry

 

Mark's picture
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...upon what team it was, and how well known it was, and whether that knowledge means the person would know how many hours it took you...

I would still say LEAVE IT OFF.  It's not relevant.

Mark

afmoffa's picture

Were there ever periods when you were earning a living as an athlete? If you spent three months/one year/five seasons paying your bills with money you earned playing sports? Then that was your job.

Now, not every job needs to go on every C.V. for every application. I earned a living unloading trucks for six months during a rough patch ten years ago, but that seldom goes on my resume. All it says about me is that I pay my mortgage no matter what it takes.

If "semi-professional" means you got complimentary airfare and free uniforms for the games, then it wasn't a job. You refer to it as a hobby in your post, so I think that's the deciding factor.

abshhkc's picture

We never got paid for being on the team. We got commercial sponsorships etc.., but all the money went towards subsidising training and competitions.

Some of my team mates are full time professionals in the sport, but I never treated my "hobby" as a profession. I wanted to keep it as a hobby. I coach others, but it's pocket money. I also coach for free.

I do feel it's a shame, as those three years are turning points of my life, and the experience has affective my career progression in profoundly positive ways.

But I guess to a recruiter or HR, it may not mean a great deal.

afmoffa's picture

I had an earlier thread where I was thinking about similar topic, although my concern was what one does with an ongoing hobby or side-interest in which one excels:

http://www.manager-tools.com/forums-5689

I understand a certain regret (if I read your tone correctly) in not listing a labor of love on your resume. The biggest influence on my daily professional life are the lessons I learned years ago in my college marching band. I speak of Professor Parks the way Mark and Mike speak of Colonel Texada back in their Army days. Everything I know about leadership and most of what I know about human decency I learned on those practice fields.

You won't see Marching Band on my resume, but you'll see it in all aspects of my professional conduct at the office. Anecdotes from band come up during job interviews now and then, when I'm explaining how I lead and motivate teams of people. Playing sports might not show up on your resume, at least not for every job, but fear not, those were anything but wasted years if they formed you into the dedicated/strategic/team-oriented professional you are now.

abshhkc's picture

that's very well put!