How long do you spend reading an average resume? A minute? thirty seconds? And how much of that do you 
spend on the Interests & Hobbies? Allow me to take a speculative shot in the dark: zero seconds?
I can't blame you. After all, you're looking for someone who knows what they're doing at a keyboard, not someone who played intramural volleyball at Chico State. But personal passions and involvement in non-professional activities can often carry implications about a candidate, particularly what they might be like in the office full-time. Here's a few things to look out for when you glance across the oft-neglected section at the bottom of everyone's resumes.
Follow the Leader
Candidates who list leadership positions at various organizations should immediately catch your eye. Of course, certain social groups are more impressive than others, but asking candidates about how they rose to the top of an organization can elucidate information about how they work with others and their personal ambition. Also, it should be clear from their answer whether their ascension was due to genuine hard work or mere fortune, the latter of which can sometimes happen in sloppier clubs or groups.
...But is She a Culture Fit?
Ah, the recruiter's final hesitation. Even when you've found a skilled candidate with the experience you need, you still have to be dead sure they're going to get along with the team, especially at young companies. Hopefully, you already have a beat on what kind of people your co-workers are and the things they enjoy, and there could be a gem buried at the bottom of a resume that shows the commonality. For this reason, you better believe "Tarkington Dorm Ping-Pong Champion, 2009" will stick around on this blogger's resume.
Human, After All
The interests section allows talent, particularly tech talent, to "geek out" and speak to their side projects. Indeed, if a developer doesn't have something related to their industry bubbling on the side, you have to wonder about their passion and engagement. Further, speaking to something the candidate genuinely enjoys is a great way to get them to unwind a bit and perhaps switch out of interview-mode. Lastly, a shared hobby or interest is a great thing to include in your messaging when reaching out to a candidate, and your shared love of underwater basket weaving could be just the thing you need to break the ice.
What are some examples of when you've used a candidate's hobbies & interests to your advantage? Leave a comment or tweet @EnteloRob!
