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[Spot77]

I'm updating my resume for a job interview tomorrow, and I'm listing my hobbies, interests, and professional groups that I'm a member of.

My company is a HUGE fortune 200 company with a lean on the left side of politics. Not the worst anti-gun company, but not pro gun at all.

My dilema: I'm proud to be an NRA member and would gladly discuss my membership and interests, but is this too controversial of an issue to have brought up in a VERY important interview (this is about as close as I'll get to my "dream job" within the company, and I could probably never go any higher)????


It's on the resume' now. Should I leave it?

Ay suggestions on what to say/how to speak about my NRA membership and love for firearms without offending a potential anti who holds my future in in his hands?

Thanks fellas

 

[another okie]

Time to fly under the radar.

 

[ksnecktieman]

Silence is golden,,,,,,, tell them you play chess

 

[telewinz]

NO, No, NO. Talk about community service but don't talk about political issues. You are there to sell yourself not to confess or win converts. A place for everything and an interview is not the place for guns unless its for LE or the Service. Good Luck. Pretend you are a 35 years old man, just for the interview.

 

[Diggler]

Companies don't care, and don't want to know about your hobbies, affiliations and outside interests unless they can directly benefit the company. That means that if you're going for a software development position, leave out your passion for scuba diving, or whatever. It can't help you, and it can even make you look unfocused on your job search.

Let them get to know you personally AFTER you get a paycheck.

Good luck!

 

[bobs1066]

I would say stealth is the prefered mode in this case.

 

[DMK]

None of their business really. It's your personal time. You won't be shooting or required to have gun knowledge at work will you?

For those questions, I always list a hobby type activity that's related to the job. ie. If it's a computer job, list computer or electronic hobbies, if it's busines related, say you follow the market, etc.

Listing something physically atheletic isn't a bad idea either if you can pass for being in decent shape. It gives the impression that you may be in good health, know how to relieve stress without beating the wife/kicking the dog and have a little bit of healthy competition in you.

 

[jamz]

Yeah, no hobbies, no interests, and only professionally-related societies or organizations.


OK, OK, Maybe if you have somehting really cool that you are a part of that would universally recommend you to a position (Member MENSA since 1975 or something) you MIGHT put that, but not much else.

I have sometimes put down the fact that I have a Commercial Pilot certificate with multi-engine and flight instructor ratings, just coz it indicates a certain level of professionalism and stick-to-itiveness. But not too often.

-James

 

[CrudeGT]

As with the others, I would agree that not bringing up anything related to guns would be the best, until after you are hired. And even then, only in moderate amounts, if the conversation goes that way.

 

[Nick1911]

ksnecktieman and Diggler nailed it.

Play chess

Nick

 

[Spot77]

Got it. It's been deleted.


The only reason I listed any personal interests/hobbies is because I was ASKED to do so by my boss. I'll have to interview with four different people eventually, and the "resume'" (I use the term loosely because I was instructed by my boss EXACTLY how to present it - it's quite untraditional) will be forwarded up the ladder prior to each interview. I guess they wanted some ammo (hahaha, bad pun) to ask me questions.


Thanks for the input. Majority wins. Another reason to love THR.

Telewinz: I AM a 35 year old....almost!

 

[sumpnz]

OK, OK, Maybe if you have somehting really cool that you are a part of that would universally recommend you to a position (Member MENSA since 1975 or something) you MIGHT put that, but not much else.

My dad said he actually threw a resume in the trash once because somebody listed mebership in MENSA above most other things. Both my folks think IQ scores are irrevelant, and never told my sister or I the scores we got as kids. His reasoning for trashing that resume was that he thought it indicated arrogance on the part of the applicant, and hence figured he would not be a good team player. In his opinion he'd rather know what you've actually done, than what you are theoretically capable of. Oh, and if he wanted, my dad would qualify for membership in MENSA, so it's not like he's jealous or anything (his parents did tell him his IQ score). He just can't stand the pretentiousness of every member he's ever met. No disrespect intended to any MENSA members on this board. I'm just relaying what he said.

Bottom line is, don't put it on your resume unless it has something to do with your actual job.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Tell them you have an extensive magazine collection

Just don't tell them they're AK-47 magazines.