Resume: Putting Your Talent Contest on Your Resume

I had a friend the other day ask me if I thought she should put her Talent Contest entries and winnings on her Resume`. I had never really thought about this before so I told her to let me ponder on that question for a day or so since she was not going to be mailing out any of her Resumes for a few days.

Later went I got home I told my husband about the question I was asked, and he started to ponder over the question himself. I then decided to call some local businesses and ask their managers “If someone put their Talent Contest entries that they may or may not have won on their Resume` would that affect their chances of getting hired?” The following is the answers I had gotten from each business:

• McDonalds- Manager (Allison Wright) stated that putting your personal talents on your Resume` probably would not keep you from being hired at any restaurant, but they may consider you to be bragging and you me be pre-judged even before you begin to work their.

• Wal-Mart- Once I was finally able to talk to someone at this very busy place I was told by their manager (Roger McNally), that NO it would not have no bearings on that person getting a job their, but depending on their talent they may get assigned to a certain department in the store. In my own opinion I am not sure if this is a good thing here because what if you really wanted that cashier’s job or management position and you got stuck stacking boxes, because in the Talent Contest you were able to balance three boxes at a time on your head with no hands.

• Payless- The manager (Brenda Parrott) stated she did not see where it would be beneficial or where it would harm a person chances at a job.

• Tyson-The manager (Thomas Darlings) stated that it would not matter one or they other, but thought it would be a waste of time and ink to put in on your Resume’

• FedEx- Manager (Ethan Ingram) stated that it would not affect the person getting the job as long as that person was qualified for the job position.

• Jenkins Law Firm- Manager (Linda Matthews) stated that she thought it would show your strengths suggested to put it on your Resume` or Job Application.

I talked to two other places one was the Baptist Hospital and the Administrator their whom wishes to keep their name anonymous would not give a statement to my question. The other place Edward Jones, the manager (Gerald Sawyer) had no comment for or against it.

My husband who is a Psychologist stated that on a Resume` there is a place for “Awards” and that if you won anything for a Talent Contest then it should be places their. He also stated that if your talent would help you get the job placement you are seeking then it your Talents should be placed on your Resume`. In closing he stated that any manager should take into account your Talent Contest, and not see it as boasting or bragging, but see it as your achievements, dedication, and striving for success.

I agree with my husband, that your Talent Contest should be seen as your strengths, achievements, and your dedication and these are the things employers should be looking for. So to answer my friends question, YES put your Talent Contest on your Resume`, but make sure you put in under the proper titles of your Resume`.

I mean look at the Pro’s of doing this, just like Wal-Mart stated that your talents would be taken into consideration in what department you would be placed. I know I said this could be a bad thing because you may be placed in a different department then you were wanting, but it also could be a good thing. What of you won a Beauty Contest, well doesn’t Wal-Mart use their own employees for Models in their Flyers/Magazines? Or maybe your talent is Juggling, well wouldn’t that show them that you are good at Multi-Tasking?

So go ahead and put that Talent Contest on your Resume`, but just be sure you put it under the proper Resume` Heading like “Awards”, “Achievements”, or “Accomplishments”. Also I have concluded that since I got a lot of answers from various types of companies that did not seem to see the importance of putting your Talent Contest on your Resume` that you may need to point out on your Resume` how it might be beneficial to the position you are applying for. Here’s an Example:

Awards & Accomplishments

• Arkansas Juggling Act Won 1992- This shows I have good eye and hand coordination and that I can multi-task.

I hope this helps anyone who may have ever wondered, “Do I put my Talent Contest on my Resume`?”

Good Luck everyone….