When you're applying for dental jobs, it can be difficult to know what to include in your CV. Should you list your hobbies and interests or keep it purely professional? In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of including hobbies and interests on your CV and look at how to make the most of them if you decide to make them a part of your application.
Many people argue that including your hobbies and interests on a dental CV is pointless - this isn't always the case though! They can give potential employers an idea of who you are as a person and serve to showcase any transferable skills that may be beneficial to the role.
For example, dental professionals are frequently asked to lead teams, manage staff and facilitate project meetings – so showing off your leadership skills through your hobbies can be helpful. Most dental jobs also require excellent communication skills, so any hobbies that demonstrate these can be a bonus for employers to see.
How to Include Hobbies and Interests
If you do decide to include your hobbies and interests on your CV, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
Make Them Positive
Make sure that they reflect positively on you as a candidate. For example, if you love playing sports, you could show that you are a team player and can work well under pressure.
Keep Them Relevant
Keep them relevant to the job role – they should be interesting and show that you have the right characteristics to succeed at work.
Be Selective
Don't list too many! Two or three hobbies will do, don't go overboard otherwise, it can look like you are padding out your CV with unnecessary information.
Keep It Short
Avoid unnecessary details – don't go into too much detail when describing your hobbies and interests on your dental CV. Keep them brief – one or two sentences at the most, and only include information that is relevant to the job you're applying for.
It's also important to remember that your CV is a professional document, so including too much information about your personal life can be a distraction. Stick to the relevant information, and you'll be fine.
Conclusion
While some employers may not take your personal interests into consideration, others may be interested in what you enjoy doing after work. Ultimately, the choice of whether to include your hobbies and interests on a CV is yours - but it helps to be aware of the potential pros and cons.
If you are undecided or are unsure whether your hobbies can help demonstrate your suitability for a role - it may be best to leave them off. Alternatively, you may find it helpful to speak to a dental recruitment consultant who can offer specialist advice on how to format your CV.
If you have any additional questions about how to write a cover letter or are looking for dental jobs in the UK, please get in touch with us. We would be happy to discuss how we can help you find your perfect role.