I drew the short straw but quite enlightening

[Lizzie_NewStart]

I felt like I had drawn the short straw when I was picked to organise the first round of interviews for some new positions where I work. First I have to filter the CV's to a manageable quantity (which I thought the agency would have done) and then send out invitations for on-line interviews (which someone seems to think I am best suited to carry out too!!).

As always, there is a training seminar that needs to be attended before I can start which in this case I was quite grateful for as I have not been on that side of the interview table before. It turned out to be about 10% training, 40% roleplay and 50% discussion within the group.

The overall session was quite thought provoking with the various views people had on the sample CV's provided. Several controversial activities and job roles provoked deep discussions regarding the persons suitability to any role!

The bit I found most surprising was the suggested emphasis that should be placed on any hobbies and interest section of a CV for the type of role I was interviewing for. I have written very few CV's in my time, and I don't think I have included a section like that on most.

Being in with a group of potential interviewers, the variation in opinions on the list of hobbies and activities was at first minimal. Physical activities were originally looked on quite favorable. We were then presented with a chart showing results of a survey into days people had taken sick as a result of injury through their given activity. This was an independent survey, not what employees had necessarily told their employer.

Team sports seem to be worse than individual sports, football and rugby having the highest percentage sick rate. Squash seems to be the worst individual form of exercise especially with males in the 35-45 age group. Surprisingly, combat sports faired quite well, just a bit better than cycling. Competitive running (we assumed to be racing) was medium, but recreational running (which I assume is what covers me) is about the same as walking. Considering I sprained my ankle walking, but so far (touch wood) I have had no injuries running seems to be correct.

It was made clear that those who exercise generally have less time off than those that don't but did make me pleased that I have chosen a relatively safe method of exercise. The overall point was to analyse all aspects of a CV and how to weed out fake claims but that section was the most interesting for me.

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

Very interesting. I've always regarded squash as very dangerous as the mother of the boy who sat next to me at primary school had a serious eye injury playing it.

On the other hand, my son got a great job after walking into a company with his cv and mentioning he'd been a member of the local youth sailing club. Turned out the boss was really into sailing so that was enough. (son didn't mention that it was the social side of it he enjoyed rather than the watery bits ) (oh, should probably say he had the right qualifications too )

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

In a case where there is a common interest between interviewer and interviewee, that interviewee must have a slight advantage if there are two equal candidates. I would not think that anyone would pick a lesser candidate based on a pastime. When viewing the sample CVs during the course, those that mentioned running or walking their dog did catch my eye so I guess with the best will in the world, there will always be an unconscious bias one way or the other.

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Lizzie_NewStart]

At least if you employ a runner you'll have something to chat about when you're having a cuppa! Then again, if one of you is a competitive ultrarunner and the other believes in the slow gentle approach it may not be a marriage made in heaven.

I thought there was some thinking along the lines that unconscious bias relates in some way to how you feel that person will fit into the workplace dynamic.

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏Wow Lizzie I found this all very interesting & yay once again running comes out tops!! 🙌

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Running... on so many levels... a winner all around. Interesting post!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Very interesting... and possibly evidence of thin ice in relation to disability discrimination legislation 😬 Have always thought (and I have done a fair bit of shortlisting and interviewing) that the hobbies and interests section is rife with possibilities for inappropriateness and all kinds of discrimination (and dishonesty)... and yet it can tell you or could tell you so much about whether someone will work well independently and within a small team (I know of one instance (not involving me) where "Do you drink Pepsi or Coke?" was a question which could have saved a lot of time and disagreeableness!)

And yes I do think that completing C25K (doing as you are told when appropriate, determination) and carrying on running (being able to make/find your own structure and motivation) is a positive.

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate]

I did not mention that the information relating to the sports/hobbies was intended to open up a conversation during interviews rather than to discount anyone that undertook 'dangerous' pastimes, I probably should have made that clear. However it was quite obvious with some of the delegates comments that many would be biased one way or the other when viewing some pastimes. I think it is very difficult to be totally impartial.