Skills based CV template in Word – ‘Connect Quotes’ design

This is a super-smart two-page CV template with a focus on skills and achievements. A slightly informal introduction gives this template a friendly feel, whilst the endorsement at the top has the potential to immediately catch the eye of prospective employers.

Full preview of this skills based CV template:

Required fonts

These are the two required fonts (free) for this CV template – you should install these first, before opening up and editing the template.

• Jenna Sue – this provides the gorgeous title and prompt to connect at the bottom.
• Open Sans – everything else is in Open Sans (regular)

Writing your skills based CV template: does an employer care about your hobbies?

When it comes to writing a CV one of the least important sections is the hobbies and interests – but does that mean to say that you should ignore it altogether and leave it out?

A good rule of thumb when it comes to writing a CV is to ensure that every word, sentence, paragraph and section adds value and remains completely relevant to the employer. You’ve probably heard before that it’s a good idea to tailor your CV to the role and the industry, and the reason why this is a good idea is because it better ensures that you stay focused on the role and provide the employer with what they want to see.

So how do we add value to our hobbies and make them relevant to the role I’m applying for?

Why are hobbies important to some employers?

Not every employer will care about or read the hobbies section, especially if you put down a few regular ones like – going to the cinema and walking the dog. These types of hobbies will certainly not add value to your CV, so if you want to leave this section off altogether, then it won’t harm to do so.

For some employers the hobbies and interests section can provide more of an insight into the personality of the candidate, and whether or not they are outgoing, sporty, creative, or maybe even have a hobby that aligns with the role or industry.

Take a step back and have a look at your hobbies – what do they say about you?

The standard format of a CV doesn’t allow much room for an applicant’s personality to shine through, and sometimes the hobbies section can create a better overall picture of the type of person the employer is likely to meet in an interview, and maybe even if they feel like the right fit for the company’s culture.

How do you use hobbies to add value to a skills based CV template? 

As stated above, if your hobbies are quite run-of-the-mill – reading books and socialising on weekends – then it’s up to you whether or not you want to still have this section on your CV. Bear in mind that they are very unlikely to add any value to your CV, but if you still feel you want to add this, then go ahead.

The types of hobbies which can add value to a CV are these kinds:

• Sports related – training, working hard to achieve goals, team work
• Creative – artistic, drawing, painting, building, music, playing in a band
• Communication – captain of a sports team, local amateur dramatics

Depending on the role you’re applying for, you may be able to focus some attention onto your hobbies so the employer can see a further demonstration of your skills. If having great communication skills is important for the role, then you should certainly let the employer know that you are the captain of a sports team.

Team sports, yoga and blogging all demonstrate traits managers will be looking for in potential new recruits, according to Mark Wilkinson, one of the founders of Coburg Banks.

Conclusion

Mundane hobbies don’t add value to your CV and may in some cases actually add a negative aspect to your overall application. In most cases you may be better leaving them off. However, if you have a hobby that clearly demonstrates your skills further, then you should definitely use this to your advantage.

An employer will always need convincing when it comes to the claims you’ve made on your CV, so why not add more evidence of your abilities by showcasing your hobbies and by placing more importance on this section.

There’s more insight into the hobbies and interests section of your CV here.