You are I am sure, aware that one is meant to put something on a c.v. that provides a little background of your “other interests” (the ones you want potential employers to know about, that is)? After all, all work and very, very average grades, makes InActualFact a dull boy. Therefore, somewhere in the mess that is my German Lebenslauf it claims that I enjoy:
“Laufen (auch in Wettbewerben über 5 und 10 Kilometer) Kalligraphie und Zeichnen mit Bleistift oder Tinte. Lesen, hier vor allem zeitgenössische amerikanische Literatur…“
I’m not sure if it’s completely “right” for the UK job market, no matter how I translate it. I’ve thought long and hard about it and decided that the most socially acceptable answer in this country would be:
“Beer, girls and football.”
My former coworker used “Siedler von Catan” but was turned down. I wonder if he’s changed that.
Wouldn’t this depend on the company you’re applying with? “Ale, women and cricket” might be more appropriate for some?
or “champagne, ladies and croquet” for others…
Karl: I haven’t played for ages, mostly on the grounds that my Mitspieler claim that I’m “translating the rules as I go along….”
Armin, Antipodeesse: Indeed, indeed. I do have more than one version. Let me, however, quote you a piece from the local “newspaper”: “More than 1,000 full and part time jobs will be on offer at a giant jobs fair in North Staffordshire. A range of posts including retail assistants, drivers, warehouse operatives and catering assistants will be up for grabs. More than 20 employers, including Primark…..” (Leek Post & Times, Sep 27th) I’m sticking with “Beer, Girls and Football” for the moment.
They say only to mention hobbies that have some importance for the job, so I (truthfully)put “Rudern, Lesen, Kochen und Backen” in mine, implying that a) I’m a team player, b) I actually LIKE sitting in front of a text all by myself for longer periods (which would be a prerequisite since I am translator) and c) I bring cake to work every now and then. Worked for me!
“Beer, Girls and Football”…….sounds like a winner to me!
Nicolette: What about if I’m applying for a job in advertising? Surely lying blatantly to make me look better than I am is relevant to the job?
Haddock: So when do I start?
A lebenslauf is such a pain when compared to a US/UK CV. Often chronologically and not achievement-oriented like the English counterpart. Moreover, in German CVs your highschool exam grades (abiturnote) often need to be included. You might have a 10 year professional history, but they still want to know how you did in chemistry and Latin a decade ago. Also, Americans are often surprised when I tell them that a recent picture (bewerbungsfoto) and DOB are absolute musts. Finally, a German CV ususally needs to be signed by hand (unless it comes as a PDF, which is more and more the case). As a German I prefer the US/UK version which leaves much more room for creativity and showcasing your strengths.
Totally agree with Haddock here, excellent choice.
JCS: Sometimes after just writing Lebensläufe (sp?) for a while, it can actually be tricky to readjust one’s mindset to a UK c.v. or US resumé. “But surely these people will need to know that I played the cornet until I was 16?” Apparently using the Bewerbungsfoto on a UK c.v. was a bad idea too.
The Streets: Just because he’s from Devon, doesn’t mean he’s correct.
@Inactualfact@JCS: “Lebensläufe” is correct.
@Inactualfact: Surely, positive discrimination is a good thing.