Standing out from the crowd – It’s not all about qualifications and work experience

Even if you are confident that you have the qualifications and experience necessary to apply for a particular job, is there anything else you can do to set yourself apart from the other applicants?

Out of interest

While some may think that there is no point in spending any time polishing the ‘interests and hobbies’ section of your CV, employers are increasingly turning to it to find interesting points of difference between equally well-qualified candidates. This is an opportunity to showcase your real personality and talents, as well as skills required in the job description.

A sporting chance

Stating that you are a member of a sports club, may demonstrate you are, quite literally, a good team player. Someone who is sociable and committed. While detailing your experience as a captain or coach of an amateur team reveals that you are good at motivating, organising and supervising. Personal achievements such as marathon running are a good way of showing your self-discipline and ambition.

All in a good cause

Volunteering for a local charity is another area where you can explain how you have perhaps taken on extra responsibility or organised an event. Or, you might be able to give some examples of how you have driven change or turned a bad situation around.

When you are shortlisted for interview, if something you detail as an outside interest sparks the interviewer’s interest, be just as prepared to talk about it as you would be about your former job roles. It may open up a great discussion of a mutual interest and provide you with the competitive edge that you need.

Calling on your outside interests builds your credibility as a candidate. It demonstrates that you are employable as a well-rounded person, a team member and that you will genuinely contribute as a new recruit to the organisation.