How to Use Your Downtime to Boost Your CV

We've all been there. You're sitting nervously in an interview, and the toughest question comes up. "So, tell me about yourself. What do you like to do in your spare time?"

At times like this, knowing what to say to an employer can feel like an impossible task. There's no cheat sheet, no guidelines explaining what they're looking for, and saying you enjoy "practising Excel in the evenings as a hobby" sounds awful — and completely unbelievable.

So let's solve this problem. Do a few things before the interview to boost your chances of success, and learn how to handle this pesky interview question.

What do your hobbies say about you? This one is easy to solve. Pick hobbies you're genuinely interested in. Interviewers can see through lies, because passion is hard to fake when it doesn't exist (especially when it comes to Excel). Think of it as a chance to talk about your interests and let the interviewer learn more about you as a person — not just what's on your CV.

Enjoy reading? Great — that shows you're constantly learning and creative. Play sports? That shows strong teamwork skills and a positive mindset. Volunteer for a charity? That proves you're selfless and care about others. As Ana Recio, SVP of Global Recruiting at Salesforce, once confirmed: "My team looks for passionate and compassionate people. How someone spends their free time is a simple but telling indicator of the qualities we value."

Feel like you haven't quite found your thing yet? Then start trying. Evenings and weekends are the best time to try new things, and if you don't feel comfortable going it alone, grab a housemate or friend. Climbing, painting, trying to learn a new language — they're all great places to start. Just keep going until you find the one that's right for you.

Take an extra course This time, we might take the Excel theory a little more seriously. Does your dream job require you to know a lot about SEO, but every time you face it you have to Google to check you're doing it right? Or is there an area of the office CMS that trips you up?

Pinpoint your weak areas and work on improving them. After-work classes or distance learning can help you build your skills. That way, when you interview, you can use these extracurricular activities to show your commitment to the field.

Some workplaces offer internal training and development, so it's a good idea to let your manager know first to see whether training can be subsidised or folded into your day-to-day work.

Make use of social media More and more employers look for candidates with blogging or social media experience when hiring, even if it's not directly related to the job duties. If you can combine a previous passion with social media and run it alongside your job, that's fantastic. It shows absolute commitment and the drive to pursue a goal — even without a financial reward.

Social media is a great way to spread creative ideas — whether healthy recipes, fitness blogging, or a genuine love of makeup and a desire to review looks — it helps build your personality as an individual, which is essential when connecting with new and potential employers. Alyssa Gelbard, founder and president of Resume Strategists, says: "If you're looking for a communications or marketing role, showcasing your blogging skills can strengthen your candidacy."

Just remember to proofread and post consistently — both help demonstrate the commitment and dedication that look great when interviewing for a new role — and this will help you streamline the answer to "what do you do in your spare time?"