Olive Your Dreams! Why Listing Olive Oil on Your Résumé Could Be Your Secret Cashflow Blueprint!

Some people prefer indulging in a good book or taking long walks. Others develop a passion for olive oil.

But would you actually consider listing olive oil as an interest on your résumé? This intriguing topic emerged following a viral post on X regarding what should occupy the interests section of résumés.

A user, claiming to assess résumés for a banking position, stated that applicants should appear “normal” and “well-adjusted.”

“I came across a résumé that featured ‘olive oil’ among its interests. This is hardly an interest,” they remarked. “It’s been hours, and I can’t get it out of my mind. There will be no interview.”

The poster, who goes by @90daysliquidity, identifies as a “Tech Analyst” in their bio, though they did not respond to a direct outreach from Business Insider.

The post ignited a widespread discussion online, resulting in various memes both celebrating and mocking the applicant who listed olive oil as a hobby.

An employee from Elon Musk’s xAI chimed in, noting they would hire a “cracked finance professional” with an interest in olive oil.

“If you include olive oil as an interest, we want to hear from you,” the official Coinbase account added.

So, is it really inappropriate to mention “olive oil” or another unconventional hobby on a résumé? Business Insider sought the opinions of five recruiters regarding this matter.

What constitutes a good hobby?

Paula Mathias Fryer argues that it would be better if an additional word accompanied olive oil. As a senior director at SLO Partners with 15 years in technical recruiting, she suggested the addition of “taster” or “grower.” She commented, “It would add some clarity; just ‘olive oil’ feels a bit peculiar.”

Brianne Sterling, a director at Selby Jennings specializing in investment banking recruitment, also sought more context. Are they merely consuming olive oil? She asked, “Do you produce your own olive oil?” Sterling noted that this would indeed pique her interest.

While she enjoys chocolate, she won’t be putting that on her résumé anytime soon.

Hobbies can serve as a bridge to connect applicants with hiring managers, she stated, listing preferred interests in investment banking like football, basketball, travel, and World War II history.

This raises a larger question: What makes a hobby appropriate for a résumé?

Some topics are clearly unacceptable: politics, religion, or anything too controversial. The choice of the best hobby, however, can vary among recruiters.

Margaret Buj, a principal recruiter at Mixmax based in London, maintains that candidates should demonstrate some uniqueness. Although she finds “olive oil” peculiar, it’s preferable to more generic responses. “Traveling, socializing, or reading? Who doesn’t?” she questioned.

Should hobbies or interests be included at all?

On a one-page résumé, space is a premium commodity. Hobbies do not showcase relevant work experience or directly reflect potential contributions to a team. Are they even necessary?

Mathias-Fryer used to argue against including hobbies, viewing them as less professional and therefore a waste of space. However, she acknowledged that the landscape has shifted with technological advancements in recruitment, leading to inboxes filled with identical, automated CVs. Applicants must find ways to differentiate themselves. “If that means showcasing a hobby, then why not?” she affirmed.

Conversely, Matt Stevenson, managing director of executive search agency 33eleven in New York, appreciates seeing an unconventional hobby. It offers a topic for conversation. Still, he cautioned that quirky interests can be risky for applicants.

“You can never predict who will review your résumé or what their preferences are,” he said. “In the case of that X user, I’d reach out to the guy and satisfy my curiosity.”

What are your thoughts? Participate in our survey:

What do you feel about this?