Elena Prokopets
Applying to what appears to be your dream job?
Your palms are probably sweaty and you are all giddy with the excitement. But also a bit worried about how you could stand out in a sea of job hunters.
If other applicants have similar hard skills or competencies as you, you’ll want to do everything you can to keep your resume on the top of the pile. How? You can try sprinkling in several “interesting facts about me” to catch the reader’s attention.
Resume-Worthy Types of Interesting Facts About Me
Including personal tidbits in your resume is a good way to lift the curtain on your personality and tout some unique skills too.
But that’s where it can get tricky.
If you’re job hunting in a conservative industry, say law or accounting, going against the protocol and adding too many fun facts about you could look frivolous or downright unprofessional.
But if you’re in a more creative industry, you can draw attention to yourself with more unusual or creative fun facts about me.
Here are some ideas for both cases.
1. Proudest Non-Job-Related Accomplishment or Skill
Listing your professional accomplishments on your resume is a given. But as everyone does this, your resume can get stall quickly.
To stand out, include an interesting fact that’s not directly related to the job. Think of it as an “easter egg,” like in a movie or video game.
For example:
I’m a competitive oyster shucker and can crack two dozen shells in under two minutes.
Other types of skills or accomplishments worth including:
- Hobbies
- Languages you speak
- Volunteering experience
- An unusual talent
Embrace what’s unique about you, but keep in mind it’s best not to include “hot” topics like politics or religion. Unless, of course, they relate to your industry!
2. Explain Your Work Style
Add a quick preview of what it would be like working with you. After all, determining if you’re a good cultural fit is really the point of all those interview rounds.
You might include facts like:
- Preferred project management style
- Work rituals to get productive
- If you are a morning person
- Preferred communication channels
Or if you need some “fun facts about me”, try this:
- Your go-to Spotify tune or playlist for getting into deep work
- A favorite personal productivity hack
- A reference to a productivity guru
For example:
“I start every day with Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning Life SAVERS to get into the right mindset”.
3. The First Job You Wanted as a Kid
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” You probably heard that question more times than you can count. Maybe you were born knowing what you were meant to do – and this resume will get you there.
Maybe you wanted to be something off-the-wall, like a space-traveling artist. It takes all types, you know!
Mentioning your childhood job aspirations is a good way to:
- Compare and contrast your childhood dream and your current dream job
- Highlight your creativity and inner spark
- Show that you’ve always known who and what you wanted to be
This can also help segue into an explanation if you’re changing careers.
For example you can add something like this:
“As a child, I dreamed of running my family’s vineyard. That helped me discover my love of writing for the wine industry”.
4. Your Role Model or Person You Admire
Talking about a person you admire is an unconventional, but useful icebreaker. After all, we hope to become reflections of our heroes. It can be a great tool for standing out and illustrating that you are a unique and thoughtful individual.
In a similar vein, you can also mention:
- A mentor who changed your life
- An industry figure you are following
But if you include this fact in your resume, be prepared to further explain your choice in an interview.
How to Come Up with Interesting Facts About Me
If you’ve ever been asked to share an interesting fact about yourself as an icebreaker at a meeting or party, you know how hard that can be when you’re put on the spot. You may have blurted out the first thing that came to mind, and then regretted it later.
Plan carefully. Facts that highlight positive traits or useful skills are always a good choice.
Here’s how to come up with more interesting facts about me:
- Make a list of your personal favorites (books, film, artists, teams)
- Ask your friends or family for ideas
- Consider how you’d like to be remembered someday
- Evaluate your soft skills and hobbies
What of the above “brands” your personality?
Where to Add Interesting Facts About Me?
Some personal facts can be seamlessly worked into your resume, while others may look out of place unless they’re in a dedicated section.
Here are some ways to work them in:
- In a professional bio – A personal bio statement is a perfect place to include fun facts about yourself. Many include an outside-of-work statement of personal facts.
Example: Outside of my sales career, I’m an avid gardener and newbie beekeeper.
- In a resume summary – A resume summary is a natural place to include skills, achievements, and experiences that are relevant to your industry. It’s better suited for sharing professional facts:
Example: Bilingual registered nurse with 10 years of experience in family medicine. Volunteer First Aid RN at regional sporting events.
- In a Hobbies and Interests section – Hobbies is an optional section to include in a resume. But if you have some space left, do add it.
Example: Hobbies and Interests: classical guitar, Medieval Reenactment Society.
Above All, Keep the “Me” in Fun Facts About Me
Nobody wants their resume to get lost in the slush pile! Adding a personal touch to your resume is a great way to make you more memorable. When choosing interesting facts to include, consider how your choices will fit with your dream job and industry. But don’t overthink it. Above all, be yourself! After all, they’re hiring a person – not a resume.
