Should You Mention Listening To Music In Resume? Find Out Inside!

Landing the job of your dreams has become more difficult than ever before with cut-through competition. Given that everyone around us is so qualified, personalized CVs/ resumes that mention creative hobbies, etc. have become quite popular. It is evident that interesting CVs like 3D job applications or a CV enclosed in a donut box, go a long way in making you stand out of the crowd. But what kind of hobbies should make it to your resume? Should you mention listening to music in resumes, or should you avoid such hobbies?

If you too are troubled by questions like these, then you have landed at the right place. In this article, we will explore if it is a good idea to mention listening to music hobby in resumes. So let’s begin!

What Does the Twitterati Think?

About a year ago, Shiv Aroor, an author and the editor & senior journalist at India Today sparked off a conversation in the matter with a tweet. In the tweet, he mentioned a hobby that recruiters are tired of seeing on professional CVs. This led to a discussion where others also started mentioning some of the most absurd hobbies they found listed on people’s professional CVs, and many others gave their take on the matter. Shiv Aroor’s tweet was as follows:

Please don't write 'listening to music' as a hobby/interest in your CV. 😭

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) June 11, 2021

Out of the many strange hobbies people wrote about, Nistula Hebbar, a journalist at The Hindu replied to Aroor’s thread, “I used to get many that listed “laughing” and “going on long drives” as hobbies.”

While one mentioned that the most absurd hobby he came across was “surfing the internet”, the other replied that being mentioned as a Netflix addict was the most hilarious one. Someone’s colleague also mentioned that “drinking beer” was her hobby in a team introduction meeting.

I used to get many that listed "laughing" and "going on long drives" as hobbies.....

— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) June 11, 2021

Also read: Resume Prep with top Recruiters & Industry Experts

Some Strange Hobbies/ Tactics That Actually Worked!

Continuing with the discussion, other people were reminded of their CVs that helped them land a job. One of the user’s tweets said that listening to Pink Floyd helped them land a job.

Should write 'Listening to Pink Floyd'. That's how I got my first job.

— Nemo (@NonsensicalNemo) June 11, 2021

Others also commented on getting a ten-year-old CV that mentioned ‘reading newspaper’ and ‘watching cricket’ besides ‘listening to music’ as hobbies grab him a job at a big MNC that sells toilet paper. Another user, a 3D Graphic/Motion Designer from Mumbai, Avkash Shah recollected how he made a motion video of the same company where he wanted to get a job and posted it on LinkedIn. 

In another incident, a person who wanted to be hired for a job sent his CV concealed in a box of donuts. He explained that the delivery was not by mistake and that he pretended to be the delivery guy just to submit his CV to the recruiter personally. An envelope that contained the CV was pasted on the back of the box’s lid, and it read, “Most resumes end up in the trash, Mine - in your belly.” 

Some Supported Mentioning Listening Music in Resume

There were a few people who also came in support of the ‘listening to music hobby’ in resume, and tweeted that some of their most interesting works happen when they are grooving to their favorite music.

Another Twitter user commented that the world needs listeners as well, and this makes ‘Listening to music’ a legit hobby that gives an insight into the person’s nature.

Finally, a Few Suggestions to Upgrade Your CV

The very first impression that a job seeker makes on a recruiter is through his/her CV. A good, well-framed, and quality CV will certainly increase your chances of getting selected over others. Here are a few suggestions and tips to help give your CV an upgrade:

1. Avoid using poor formats. There should be no spelling mistakes or wrong use of grammar.
2. Avoid posting a list of long hobbies with no relevance to the role. Instead, mention hobbies that are realistic and relevant to the role you are applying for. For example, hobbies such as listening to music, spending time with friends and family, being active on social media, and playing video games should be avoided. Instead, hobbies like swimming, dancing, photography, keeping fit, and so on are considered to be better fits for your resume.

There’s a lot to add to your CV to make it more creative and gain the attention of your preferred recruiter, than mentioning listening to music in resumes. Remember that the people who actually landed jobs in such ways are few, and there are very less chances that you will also land your dream job by adding bizarre hobbies. Check this article out if you want to learn the fundamentals of how to write the perfect CV. 

You might also be interested in reading the following:

1. What Does “Gap Year” In Your CV Mean For Your MBA Dreams? Simran Somani From IIM Ahmedabad Has The Perfect Answer
2. How To Spice Up Your CV For Internship!
3. Tips To Write Amazing Software Engineer Resume & Get Shortlisted At Facebook, Apple, Google, And More!
4. "Tell Me About Yourself" Here's How To Answer This Interview Question Like A Pro!