Do you normally put personal enrichment courses on a job application?
I have a college degree and a job. That's my background.
When I was unemployed at one point in my life, I took a few classes in German (personal enrichment) at a community college between my BA and finding work.
After I had those few classes, I found work and that was that. I didn't think to include those three classes in German on any of the job applications I would fill out because it never applied to my work.
I've been at my current job for three years. Should I tell them about my personal enrichment classes I took? I never mentioned them before because they weren't applicable at the time (somehow, we do get German speaking customers from time to time and I try to communicate the best I can with what I remember).
Thanks for your help.
Anonymous2014-02-06T09:41:09Z
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Your resume should be clean and tidy. The only information that you should include outside of your work history and your degrees is that which is relevant to the job for which you are applying (eg. a certification in the relevant field). Anything else is unnecessary clutter. The one exception would be languages that you speak, read, and write fluently. The ability to speak/read/write more than one language can be invaluable in the work place, and can be a deciding factor when choosing between two candidates with all other things being equal. In your case I would leave out the German courses you took. To a hiring manager they will amount to little more than hobbies. Now, if you continue to study German (why give up now?) and get to a point where you feel you can speak, read, and write on more than a casual or conversational level, put it in there.
If you learned to speak enough German that would be relevant to and make you a better candidate for the job you are applying for then add it. In respect of the job you have now after 3 years they know the extent of your German language skills so telling them you took 3 lessons over 3 years ago won't make any difference.
This would not be something listed in your education section. If you speak enough German to communicate with a customer/client conversationally, then you would put "Conversational German" under your additional skills. If your German is only enough to ask where the bathroom is and to order a large bier, then you don't even mention it.
Sorry love but....DUH!!!! Of course you should. German is not a personal enrichment "course".....consider it an international language, and one which many potential clients can speak..you speaking an international language gives you an edge...firstly it builds international pr...secondly, it makes you a greater asset to your company and if you are required to travel to any german speaking country or company, you would be of great use. Also, if you are in business development or sales you can use your ability to seek more business from germans!! Basically...so really just use your creativity......and work on becoming an expert....