Why putting ‘mad skills’ on your CV, such as acting on stage, could get you the job

Job applicants often list hobbies such as reading, cooking or going to the theatre on their CVs, even if this is not a must.

Known as “mad skills”, hobbies and skills, such as learning Fon – a language spoken in Benin, West Africa – or a passion for marathons can really make a difference when applying for a job.

“‘Mad skills’ are basically particularly rare soft skills,” says Marlene Poehlmann, managing director at a recruitment agency. “They can be anything that’s been acquired through experience, as an entrepreneur, through volunteering or through hobbies and passions like travel and sports.”