Athletes Add Fitness Achievements to Resumes to Stand Out
A Trend in the Hiring Space
Athletes are taking their physical accomplishments to the next level by adding them to their resumes to stand out in the corporate world. According to Brad Thomas, a recruiter based in New York City, this trend is becoming increasingly popular among job applicants.
Run Times on Resumes
Run times are becoming a common addition to resumes as athletes want to showcase their physical accomplishments. Thomas recalled one engineer who thought running 15 marathons, among other competitions, would land them a job. They also bragged about landing a sportswear sponsorship.
Warning from Career Coach
However, career coach Eliot Kaplan warns that in the wrong context, this trend could backfire. "If you’re applying for a job at Equinox, it’s obviously a different story, but if you’re just applying for a normal job, what are you trying to say with that stuff?" he said. Thomas added that it can come off as not-so-graceful bragging, too.
Applicants Keep Pace with the Trend
Despite the warnings, many applicants are keeping pace with the trend. Jaclyn Amaro, a 36-year-old part-time public relations pro in New Jersey, included her six marathon finishes and other fitness feats when she applied to her current job. "I want to show a little bit of my character and personality, to show that I’m hardworking and ambitious," she said.
Physical Therapist Defends the Practice
A Nashville physical therapist, 29-year-old Jacob Travis, brought the debate to the public a few weeks ago. During a run, he posted a video defending the practice. "You’re going to learn so much more about me from seeing that I’ve trained and ran a marathon than the fact that I was secretary of my fraternity my junior year of college," he said.
Experts Weigh In
Experts noted that the trend applies mainly to junior-level roles. Some executives, like John Major, a vice president of Norgay Partners, also see the rationale in the "new wave" trend. "It shows that you have the ability to be intrinsically motivated to do something that you’re not being told to do."
Not All Athletes Agree
However, not all athletes who work in corporate jobs are sprinting to put their time on a resume. Chicago marathon runner Kamille Fajardo, a 32-year-old tax adviser, called her remarkable feat "a very private and personal achievement." On top of that, she fears putting athletic achievements down will only feed into an overachiever culture and create unfair expectations of the worker.
Conclusion
The trend of adding fitness achievements to resumes is a topic of debate in the hiring space. While some see it as a way to showcase hard work and determination, others view it as bragging or irrelevant to the job. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide whether to include their athletic accomplishments on their resume.
FAQs
Q: Is this trend limited to a specific industry?
A: Yes, the trend is mainly applicable to junior-level roles.
Q: Can adding fitness achievements to a resume harm an applicant’s chances?
A: Yes, if done in the wrong context, it can come off as not-so-graceful bragging or irrelevant to the job.
Q: Are all athletes who work in corporate jobs adding their fitness achievements to their resumes?
A: No, not all athletes agree with the trend, and some prefer to keep their athletic accomplishments private.
