Ask Gill Career Advice

Q: Are personal interests, activities and voluntary work good for my CV - not just my soul?

A: We don't need to tell you but professional services marketers are some of the most highly motivated, self-starting, team-playing, robust, empathetic and active people we know! Many have great interests and outstanding achievements to their name - not to mention big hearts when it comes to giving back. So when it comes to writing your CV, these extra-curricular activities are useful for giving future employers a practical way of seeing your other motivations and what drives you. However obscure you might think some of your activities are, employers can get a real indication of your people skills, how you might fit into their team and what a well-rounded individual you are.

Not surprisingly, not-for-profit and voluntary work go a long way as activities you can include on your CV. A philanthropic mindset is a good indicator of your self-motivation, mentoring capabilities and cultural fit with a firm - you might even demonstrate an alignment with your firm's values. All in all, there are definite social, mental and professional benefits from being involved in the greater good! So be proud to include what you get up to outside work (within reason of course..!).