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

We know about hard skills and soft skills, but how about ‘mad skills’? Your passions or hobbies can make you stand out from other candidates

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Having a passion for theatre or learning a foreign language are examples of unusual soft skills, also called “mad skills”, that can make the difference when applying for a job. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:15am, 9 Aug 2024Updated: 5:29am, 9 Aug 2024

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.”

Hard skills like computer programming or data analysis are quantifiable, while professional skills are acquired through training, studies or continuing education, and can be proven with a certificate. “Mad skills”, on the other hand, are learned on sports pitches and even on the sofa.

A group of runners on Singapore quayside. A person who can outline a “mad skill” such as running a marathon in an interview is able to say: “I know what going the extra mile is like.” Photo: Shutterstock

“‘Mad skills’ differ from soft skills in that they are less about personal character traits,” says Gaby Wasensteiner, a career expert with social media platform LinkedIn. “They are essentially special skills that you can use to stand out from other applicants. You can bring something new to a team that no one else has.”