Mentioning family research on a CV

[Treetotal]

I's also...A lesson in geography, sociology, statistics, politics, latin, world wars and religion 
Carol

When can you start?  You've got the job 

A bit past my sell by date for paid employment but thanks 

Carol

[groom]

Interviewer: Tell me what did you like best in your old job?

Candidate: Well sometimes people had birthdays and there were cream cakes.

 

[Rudolf H B]

It's also a lesson in ...

As family researcher, you might be a scientist, - see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auxiliary_sciences_of_history

as family researcher, you might be a fishermen in a big pool of data,
there is a lot of rubbish in some nets - and in a lot of trees.

Regards
Rudolf

[ThrelfallYorky]

Yes, we can all see the advantages, but to get back to the original point, a c.v. should be relevant to the post applied for, and what the interviewer might see as irrelevant stuff if possible is better not stressed.
A simple sentence as I stated earlier, or something like " I have been able to develop my research and I.T. skills in many ways, partly through study of family history.." is honestly as much as most interviewers will want to see on such a document. If at interview invited to expand on this, fine. If not, don't.

[groom]

I agree TY - when we were short listing candidates we compared their CVs against the job description. Those who ended up on the short list were usually those who stuck to the point and didn't look as if they were trying to fill up space.

[Mart 'n' Al]

I just dipped back in to see if there were any comments.  Amazing.  Thank you all.  It is so true, I have learned so much in the last 15 months about so many weird subjects that I would never have considered.

Martin

[WideEyedGirl]

I was very curious to read this thread, as I'm currently a University Student so still have CV's to write in the future. I do not know anyone around my age who researches ancestry, I often get the impression that people around my age aren't interested in ancestry, which seems a shame to me - the things I have been able to tell my parents and grandparents, who aren't as comfortable with computers as myself, about their ancestry never fails to make me smile - it's truly a rewarding hobby; and on many occasions, sitting with my grandmother telling her about the people she never got to meet, has been an amazing experience - we have laughed and cried together, and I am so glad that I took it up at this age.

I hope that I will be able to mention my ancestry researching on my CV's, as it has certainly helped develop many skills for me - all the skills that you all have mentioned, plus it has helped my communication skills, as contacting a variety of people on a regular basis around the world is a common theme for me now. I certainly don't think it's a bad thing to research ancestry, I just hope that other people won't have negative presumptions about it.

[ThrelfallYorky]

No, but I certainly wouldn't labour it directly in your c.v.
You will be better advised to stress some of the related skills, then possibly bring it up at interview, and possibly expand on it if the interviewer(s) reaction suggests that you do. Interested myself, the jobs I'd interview people for would rarely suggest that such an interest, directly, would enhance their application. Many interviewers would glaze over more or less politely, unless they were a kindred spirit, I'm afraid.
Your interest is commendable, but remember: in the eyes of most people, it IS a hobby. Substitute "Train spotting" in your c.v., and you may see what Joe Average interviewer would react.

[groom]

I agree TY, good advice there. I had to read many CVs when shortlisting candidates for teaching jobs and we had strict guide lines what to look out for. There was a section that asked for hobbies and I would expect something like genealogy to be mentioned there. Perhaps it could be put in such a way that mentioned that you felt it had helped you to gain certain skills which you would be delighted to expand on in an interview. Then, if asked, stick to emphasising the skills you think would help in the job you are applying for, no one but you and your immediate family ( or a fellow genealogist) will be interested in how you tracked your great great grandfather down.

in the eyes of most people, it IS a hobby. Substitute "Train spotting" in your c.v., and you may see what Joe Average interviewer would react.

That's a good way to look at it TY, we do tend to forget that it is a hobby, most of us consider it a way of life.