[General Discussion] Curriculum Vitae

I wonder if you should put "video gaming" as your hobby on a Curriculum Vitae.

Would you do it or not?

It depends on what you're applying for. But I think I will put it in my CV (for chemical engineer) I'll say it strenghtens my concentration and awareness!!!

Many think that video gaming is bad. I can see why (bad school results, disclosure, unhealthy), but somehow I feel proud about it for the advantages (hand-eye coordination, concentration, knowledge, creativity => puzzles, imagination, basic computer/electronics knowledge, broadens your musical knowledge, stress reliever, excellent brain activity)...

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Really? Hmmm, it's such a taboo nowadays...

But isn't it common that engineers play video games? Especially those Computer science engineers. Too bad I'm not majoring in computer science.

Maybe the man who does a conversation with me loves video games too. Nah, I don't think so. Maybe you're right. But watching movies isn't really the same, this one is more interactive. I should be honest too, if this is one of my hobbies? I think the man likes people who can see past taboos (hopefully).

We have to realize that video games are very important these days. It's not the 80's anymore. It's become a real hobby and people should accept it.

Why can I say I'm a pianist, and not I play video games? I know that being a pianist is a real advantage. I should say that playing the piano is my hobby because it's broadly accepted that playing the piano is a good hobby. I wonder why.

Okay if many people say no I'll reconsider...

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I think hobbies section is very important, because it can give info about the person's way of life: like being in a band gives communication skills or team spirit. It also says that you don't always sit behind your books learning, but that you can find the time to do something else and still get good grades.

I've been to some application session and they immediately asked me what I do in the weekend????

I was speechless of astonishment.

PS: I have something out of the newspaper and it says that science has told us playing video games really does help brain activity and is good for your eyes in coordination/focus. (Reference: University of Rochester: Daphne Bavelier: http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=2764)

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I've attended a class of good CV making and they state that there should be a hobbies section. Too bad, I had to ask that man if I should put video gaming in it or not...

Sports... bah, how about music composition? It stimulates the creativity!! Very important for an engineer doing a design of a chemical reactor.

This poll here isn't really neutral, because it's "gaming"force. Still many say no.

How ya doing, buddy?

Okay, suppose I don't put it on the CV. Would you say it in the interview or not? I think that's even more embarassing...

-So, what are your hobbies?
-Well, I play video games...
-Aaah,..., okay. ("This one isn't coming to us for sure")

If I put it already in my CV, the person who invites me accepts me as who I am, that's good no? (boss with an open mind)

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The thing is, I don't have hobbies that relate to the job of chemical engineer.

PS: who talks about Starcraft at an interview... that's weird.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I guess so. I'll definately erase that.

I'll also not put in the CV that I compose music, (to have a bit the advantage of modesty) I'll just say that I play the piano and when he asks me to tell me more about it I'll begin to talk about orchestra's, competitions, bands, composing,... to surprise him.

And I WON'T mention video games. All those interviewers are old people so they don't even know what a video game is like. Prejudice...

Hmm, maybe I'll erase "listening to video game music" too. Everything that has a connection to video games is bad! "Anime", just the same problem I think.

I think the problem's solved, thanks everyone. Case closed.

Originally Posted by Domino

And in the few interviews that I got while that was on my CV didn't go to well when it came to the hobbies section of the interview.

PS: what went wrong when he began to talk about the hobbies section? I'm curious, what did he ask or say?

FELIPE NO

I'm not really sure about just avoiding the hobbies section. I think by saying your hobbies there will be a bit of connection between employer and employee, the CV would stand out a bit from the other people resulting in a higher chance of being selected. Who wouldn't want to interview a pianist/chemical engineer? There aren't many of those. 10 people saying walking, cycling, sports or even without a hobbies section and then there is this pianist who gets all the attention.

It's similar as making your CV on a yellow paper while everyone has a white paper. (I'm going to use yellow paper you know)

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Originally Posted by How Unfortunate

As much as "micro" will help you use drawing and simulation programs faster (seriously), unfortunately, none of your potential bosses are going to realize/care.

If anything, put your wpm or something. I would only add VG to the middle of a one-line hobby list, and even then if it makes the line length look better from an aesthetics point and I've got nothing else.

Edit: It sounds to me like you're a student...be careful putting the word "engineer" on the CV if you're not already licenced by whatever the governing body is. Some professions can be real bitches about that.

Well I put my diplome of engineer on the CV: but I also set the date of study: 2003-2007 so they'll know.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I talked to an experienced chemical engineer and he said that Tetris was a good game to put on a CV, and he did, saying it gives analytical skills. He also wanted to integrate Tetris as a test in assessment centers. But Tetris... that's not a real video game is it.

There's nowhere I can't reach.