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cv gaffes

Open thread: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever put on a CV?

Smoking as a hobby? Surfing the internet as a skill? Join the club.
11.00am, 14 Oct 2012
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WE HEAR A lot lately about how you must jazz up your CV to make it stand out more from the crowd. This week, we reported on how a UCD graduate who created an ‘alternative CV’ which went viral on the web has managed to land himself a job with Twitter.

Certainly, “innovative job-search campaigns” are gathering steam in a crowded jobs marketplace.

But what about the old-school CVs we used to have. The ones before you’d built up a bit of experience, relevant work skills and… a bit of cop-on?

We’d love to know what was the weirdest/most irrelevant item you’ve ever put on a CV. Tell us in the comments section below.

These which we gathered from a swift questioning of the office (and a few honest folks on Twitter) will help you feel less embarrassed…

Open thread: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever put on a CV?
1 / 5

  • The inappropriate hobby

    Yes, 'smoking' was once listed in the hobbies section, a Twitter user admitted. Also see: "socialising". (Image: AP Photo)

  • The 'I'm quirky' hobby

    Someone in TheJournal.ie - who shall remain nameless on pain of death - once wrote 'freewheeling downhill' on her CV to convey her easygoing nature to prospective employers. (Image: Canadian Press/PA Images)

  • The controversial hobby

    One employer told us he interviewed someone who had 'fox hunting' on their CV. Might not go down well with all prospective bosses. (Image: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

  • The very basic skill

    Does 'surfing the internet' count as a skill set? Or use of Microsoft Word? Just asking. (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

  • The very odd job

    Tweeter @Ronan_Casey told us that his six-month stint trimming pigs' heads in a pet food plant "broke the ice" at interviews. He no longer has it on his CV. (Image: AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
  • Yes, 'smoking' was once listed in the hobbies section, a Twitter user admitted. Also see:
  • Someone in TheJournal.ie - who shall remain nameless on pain of death - once wrote 'freewheeling downhill' on her CV to convey her easygoing nature to prospective employers. (Image: Canadian Press/PA Images)
  • One employer told us he interviewed someone who had 'fox hunting' on their CV. Might not go down well with all prospective bosses. (Image: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
  • Does 'surfing the internet' count as a skill set? Or use of Microsoft Word? Just asking. (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
  • Tweeter @Ronan_Casey told us that his six-month stint trimming pigs' heads in a pet food plant

What recruiters look at during the 6 seconds they spend on your CV>

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Poll: Have you ever lied on your CV?

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