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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Would you list chess as a hobby? (Read 35731 times)
Knight
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #35 - 11/22/16 at 03:02:29
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Yeah, definitely would. But then I'm a game designer so it doesn't do any harm.
  
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KestonyChess
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #34 - 08/17/16 at 18:51:01
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Yes I would! And you know, we must be proud of doing that.
  
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Gamesunday
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #33 - 05/11/16 at 08:48:12
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Of course. For some it's even a serious hobby. Depends though who is asking Cheesy
  
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Ognian_Mikov
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #32 - 05/03/16 at 20:40:36
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During the summers I usually spend 1-2 weeks as a chess arbiter at a strong international open and junior tournaments, so I have included this experience in my CV.

Actually, a few years ago on a job interview that had nothing to do with chess, the interviewer's first question was what was the name of Alekhin's cat  Cheesy The funny thing is that the interview had nothing to do with chess- the job position was in a marketing agency. The company's boss saw the info I've included in my CV and stunned me with this question. Unfortunately, I failed to remember that the cat was named...

Chess  Grin Luckily, still got the job offer  Cool
  

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Walz01
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #31 - 01/09/16 at 05:01:30
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Most definitely
  
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jdcannon
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #30 - 08/09/15 at 14:43:50
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I think you should. People seem to think chess players are smart for some reason!
  

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JackalSh
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #29 - 07/01/15 at 18:59:38
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I have two hobbies: programming and chess. it is not surprising that I even wrote a chess engine Smiley
  
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chess_tree
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #28 - 04/25/15 at 08:02:10
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It definitely is a hobby - especially when I think about how much time I invested in it (although I'm no good player  Grin)
  
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Sally
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #27 - 03/02/15 at 09:24:57
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Definitely! I have even included it to my CV. And now, my boss at Homework-Desk.com tells me that he chose me because of this very detail.  Smiley
  
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Paul Brondal
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #26 - 02/17/15 at 12:53:35
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In 1998 I hadn't played chess for 5 years but wrote that it was a hobby as the manager was an IM. Yes, I got the job  Wink
  
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kk_chess11
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #25 - 09/15/14 at 00:33:47
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soccer,chess and pc games

does it sounds right?
  
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Checkmate Champion
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #24 - 02/11/14 at 11:38:12
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I would definitely list chess as one of my hobbies. People have commented on the game requiring critical thinking skills; plus in my area there are several good chess players.
  
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Vass
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #23 - 11/14/13 at 08:15:47
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Welcome aboard, Mr Smirnov!
I am pretty sure you will appreciate this forum, especially if you are interested in the openings' development.  Wink
  
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GMISmirnov
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #22 - 11/13/13 at 21:37:34
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hobby and profession Smiley
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #21 - 09/07/13 at 10:03:34
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Hi

I would and if you would not try to listen to this http://www.chesscafe.com/video/video502.htm

Especially towards the end when he talks aboout why kids benefit from learning the game.

regards,
Larsen_fan 
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #20 - 08/28/13 at 11:10:10
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uh...yes...
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #19 - 07/06/13 at 00:56:03
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I have had quite a few wonderful conversations about chess during interviews. People are fascinated by good chess players to a certain extent, even if they know little about chess at all. The fact that I was also (not so much any more, I got said job) active within the community was a nice kicker.

I would most certainly list it.
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #18 - 07/05/13 at 23:35:53
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ErictheRed wrote on 04/30/13 at 23:45:08:
When applying for my most recent job I had to give a 20-30 minute presentation about myself, and I used the last few minutes to say that I had become a chess master, won the Colorado state title, play guitar, etc.  I had pictures of myself playing guitar at a music festival, tutoring young guitarists, a snippet from a newspaper article about becoming the Colorado champ, and pictures of young students who had won trophies in various chess tournaments. 

So not only did I play chess, but I also was involved in the community, helping some kids from local schools, etc.  If all I could have said was "I'm rated 2208," I wouldn't have mentioned chess at all. 

I got the job; I have a front office with a window at the W.M. Keck Observatory in Waimea, HI. 


Mighty nice window.
  

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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #17 - 07/05/13 at 07:38:22
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I am glad to see all the people who have written about the positive reactions to their mention of chess playing..I would definitely list it!
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #16 - 05/01/13 at 10:51:04
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ErictheRed wrote on 04/30/13 at 23:54:17:
Viking wrote on 04/08/13 at 14:58:14:
Astender wrote on 04/08/13 at 14:26:26:
I think chess is more than a hobby. It's a lifestyle and, in some way, state of mind.


If that is the case... I would be careful to mention it Wink


Yes!  As a chess player myself, I'd be hesitant to hire a chess player, as I know how all-consuming fantasizing about chess can be!


Smiley

Well, I think this is more a personal trait rather than a feature unique to chess players. Either you become really obsessed with whatever you do, or you just don't. I belong to the first group, my wife to the second. She can't really get that much into any hobby she has.

I have friends I climb with who are really stuck with climbing as being almost everything they live for. Runners are the same, biking, etc...
  
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ErictheRed
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #15 - 04/30/13 at 23:54:17
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Viking wrote on 04/08/13 at 14:58:14:
Astender wrote on 04/08/13 at 14:26:26:
I think chess is more than a hobby. It's a lifestyle and, in some way, state of mind.


If that is the case... I would be careful to mention it Wink


Yes!  As a chess player myself, I'd be hesitant to hire a chess player, as I know how all-consuming fantasizing about chess can be!
  
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ErictheRed
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #14 - 04/30/13 at 23:45:08
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When applying for my most recent job I had to give a 20-30 minute presentation about myself, and I used the last few minutes to say that I had become a chess master, won the Colorado state title, play guitar, etc.  I had pictures of myself playing guitar at a music festival, tutoring young guitarists, a snippet from a newspaper article about becoming the Colorado champ, and pictures of young students who had won trophies in various chess tournaments. 

So not only did I play chess, but I also was involved in the community, helping some kids from local schools, etc.  If all I could have said was "I'm rated 2208," I wouldn't have mentioned chess at all. 

I got the job; I have a front office with a window at the W.M. Keck Observatory in Waimea, HI. 
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #13 - 04/14/13 at 21:18:02
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Uhohspaghettio wrote on 01/29/13 at 23:45:16:
For CVs or in certain profiles and applications, you are asked to list your hobbies and interests. Would you/do you put chess there? In Ireland practically nobody plays chess, I would say less than a fraction of a percent plays regularly. It might look really alien to list it as a hobby. 


May be you should call it simply an addiction?!
To me? I think so...
  

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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #12 - 04/08/13 at 18:45:44
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I don't list hobbies on my standard resume. When specifically asked about hobbies, I have mentioned chess in the past.
  

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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #11 - 04/08/13 at 14:58:14
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Astender wrote on 04/08/13 at 14:26:26:
I think chess is more than a hobby. It's a lifestyle and, in some way, state of mind.


If that is the case... I would be careful to mention it Wink
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #10 - 04/08/13 at 14:26:26
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I think chess is more than a hobby. It's a lifestyle and, in some way, state of mind.
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #9 - 03/23/13 at 07:19:38
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In the company for which I work today, massive layoffs have been announced. If involved, I doubt to put chess on my CV.  I once was told that chess is positive to mention on it as long you are an amateur rated to approximately 2000-2100. Above that bar it is expected that one gives chess too much focus so harming more than bringing dividents. As FM (2300) I agree on this view as indeed I sometimes refuse to work extra in the weekends just to be able to play competition.
On the other hand today my chessrecords are easily accessible by googling. In one of my last interviews my interviewer himself started asking questions about chess although nothing was mentioned on my CV.
So maybe it has no sense to hide as any good HR will do a googlesearch with your name on the internet.
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #8 - 03/22/13 at 19:31:14
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I have always listed chess on my resume, but never as a "hobby".  Under "Other", I put "USCF-Rated Chess Master" (or Expert when I was an "Expert", a USCF title).

Once right out of graduate school, I was offered a good job at the Federal Reserve, in Washington, and was told that my being strong in chess was one thing that convinced them that I was the right sort for them.  So I have never doubted the good effect of mentioning it.
  

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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #7 - 03/14/13 at 21:04:31
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I have always listed chess as a hobby, and it has always turned out positively. As Chessexplained mentioned, it fits nicely when applying for jobs requiring analytical skills (like my current one), but for me, it has also served as an icebreaker when I have applied for "non-analytical" jobs. Maybe I have just been lucky with my bosses, but all of them have been genuinely interested in my chess career during the job interview.
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #6 - 03/14/13 at 10:53:48
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I would happily list chess as one of my hobbies.

The company I work for now, I joined over twenty years ago, and they had a chess team in the local league. It was reasonaly strong, with an IM on board one, but they were struggling to get enough for a full team. With me joining they could, and in my first season we won the top division and the cup.  Smiley

I don't think listing chess as a hobby was any differentiator for me getting the job though. Also companies having chess teams seem less common now. Mine hasn't for a long time now.
  

Those who want to go by my perverse footsteps play such pawn structure with fuzzy atypical still strategic orientations

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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #5 - 03/13/13 at 15:43:10
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It is also important to have something that make you different from the rest and thus remembered(except for your more relevant qualifications of course). Often there are many many aplications to consider. So yes, i see no reason not to.
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #4 - 03/13/13 at 15:06:56
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Depends on the purpose. If you apply for a job that needs good analytical skills, it would fit in nicely. If it's for a less 'brainy' job it might sound wierd to some people reading the CV in HR departments.
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #3 - 03/13/13 at 12:04:10
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Why not?

E.g. if only a fraction in Ireland plays chess, that will make you stand out. Because there usually are many applications, at least you will be somewhat unique.
  
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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #2 - 01/30/13 at 10:20:49
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I've seen a lot of CVs as part of my job. I think the best bet is to have a mixed grill of things, e.g.:

"Soccer, movies & chess" may sound better than
"Movies, literature & chess" or
"Soccer, table tennis & jocking"

In general it is a good idea to include some of your 'real' hobbies in case the conversation goes there and then you can have a 2' talk about sth you really know. It helps breaking the ice..
  

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Re: Would you list chess as a hobby?
Reply #1 - 01/30/13 at 01:16:47
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Certainly I would.
  
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Would you list chess as a hobby?
01/29/13 at 23:45:16
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For CVs or in certain profiles and applications, you are asked to list your hobbies and interests. Would you/do you put chess there? In Ireland practically nobody plays chess, I would say less than a fraction of a percent plays regularly. It might look really alien to list it as a hobby.
  
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