Hire the Right Hobbyist
A hobby is described in the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Addition as a course or activity pursued for the purpose of having pleasure, delight, or other benefit. From this perch it is only natural for persons engaged in different types of hobbies to disagree as to what is not a hobby. Some persons may be intensely interested in particular games, sports, or activities while others may be equally enthusiastic about work or other occupations. While all these were probably regarded as hobbies by the ancients, most people today would regard even the extremely interesting hobbies of horseback riding, billiards, fly fishing, stamping on animals, building model airplanes, and watching sports as recreational activities. For the contemporary person a hobby is something he or she does for relaxation and enjoyment.
One of the main distinctions between hobbyists and non-hobbyists lies in the manner in which leisure time is spent. Non-hobbyists, in the modern sense of the term, spend their leisure time doing what a person might term non-hobbyist activities. Examples are reading a book, going shopping, having a snack, playing games, enjoying the television, enjoying music, and taking part in one’s favorite hobbies. Hobbyists on the other hand, tend to engage in more activity related to their chosen hobby.
Hiring managers are very familiar with this distinction. In hiring processes, they attempt to match applicants to the appropriate position based on hobbies. The purpose is to make the position as diverse as possible so that a person can enjoy his or her work and hobbies without becoming bored or burned out. This is accomplished by allowing hobbyists the freedom to pursue their interests. When hobbies clash with work, however, hiring managers have been known to place the two interests together.
One way that hiring managers determine whether or not to include hobbies in a potential employee’s job requirements is by taking into consideration what skills that the prospective employee has. Typically, hobbies are not considered unless they directly pertain to the job duties. For example, if an office worker is expected to fill a fax machine, it is unlikely that he will enjoy playing paintball. However, he may be good at it if he is trying to learn new skills or learn how to operate the fax machine. Hobbyists should therefore be evaluated on their knowledge of relevant materials and their ability to perform relevant functions.
Another way that hiring managers evaluate applicants is by determining their level of participation in their hobbies. For example, if an office worker has a great interest in bird watching, he may be seen as a good candidate for a position that involves watching birds from the air. In addition, a person who is active in participating in hobbies is more likely to do his or her job well and be a productive member of the team. Hobbyist interests can range from a hobby such as a collection of toys to an extreme activity such as skydiving.
The main article continues on to discuss the different benefits of hiring hobbyists. These benefits include saving time by not having to attend business meetings or to do research. In addition, there are benefits such as increasing productivity by allowing employees to dedicate some time to activities they enjoy. The article also discusses the different factors that should be considered when hiring hobbyists. By following these steps, you will be able to effectively hire the right hobbyist.
