The Specificity Rule: Why "Reading" Wastes a Line

The Problem with "Reading"

Everyone reads. Saying you enjoy "reading" tells the recruiter nothing. It's filler disguised as personality.

The same applies to "travelling," "music," and "cooking." These are not hobbies. They are activities that most humans do. They occupy space without earning it.

The Specificity Rule

A hobby only works if it's specific enough to be memorable. Vague words create invisible lines. Specific words create mental images.

Before → After:

The specific version does three things the vague version cannot:

1. It creates a visual.
2. It implies dedication.
3. It invites a follow-up question.

The "60-Second Test"

If an interviewer asked about your hobby, could you talk passionately for 60 seconds? If not, you don't care enough about it to list it.

Generic hobbies fail this test. Specific ones pass.

Rewriting Your Interests Line

Take your current hobbies section. For each item, ask: "What specifically do I do?"

Then rewrite it using this template:

[Activity] + [Specific Focus or Achievement]

Examples:
- Photography: landscape and architecture photography across the UK
- Volunteering: weekly reading mentor at a local primary school
- Gaming: competitive online chess (1800 Elo rating)

Pre-Flight Checklist

Before finalising your hobbies line:

• Every hobby includes a specific detail or focus area.
• No single-word interests remain (reading, music, sport).
• Each item could sustain a 60-second interview conversation.
• The total section is under three lines.

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