Do you mention your dolls in job interviews?

[cabbage]

I was filling out the latest job application, and re-living my first job interview, which was just a short 8 months ago; and I remembered how when my manager asked about hobbies I explained a little bit about my dolls. They've become such a huge existing chunk of my life now, it's not something I'm able to contain when asked about!

I was just wondering hw many other collectors have mentioned our resin/vinyl/ect. cast friends to potential employers?

[Iwa_Hoshi]

Well unless I am ask about it, i would say that its Doll Photography(yeah glorified name for playing with dolls but it sounds fancy enough )


I am into doll photography, The dolls are my models and they combined my other hobbies together. The creative aspect of this hobby is what drew me into it. I paint/faceup most of my dolls. I learn to sew or make props for them when I'm not buying whatever its is for them.

And yes i have a blog/gallery of shots that I end up with. This hobby made me run around town(I didn't take that much interest in local festive display or visit parks much pior to the dolls) and it even alllow me to meet new people *points to Doll group*(some of the guys and gals make their own props or sew better than I do)
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[Lamia of the Dark]

Nope. I wasn't into them back then (4 and a half years ago, I had no idea that BJDs even existed and all the dolls I owned were part of my anime collection) and I wouldn't have mentioned them even if I was.

[Trethowan]

Practically speaking, no. I wouldn't want to do or say anything that would hurt my chances of landing the job. I'd just say some of the more socially normal things. I paint, I draw, I walk my dog in the park.
Work is for being professional and part of the team and all that jazz. I don't like my personal life bleeding into work. Besides, my fear is that if an employer knew I was my age and went to Cons, dressed up like anime characters, collected dolls.... they'd probably be telling stories about the total weirdo they're glad they didn't hire. hahaha Our hobbies aren't normal. We're a sub-culture. An awesome one I'm happy to be a part of most definitely, but it's still something I prefer to keep to myself (except for my circle of friends that are OK with all my weird hobbies and what not.)

[katana803]

i agree with trethowan. i would never mention my hobbies that are outside main stream in an interview. i have been with the same company for 16 years and most people know about all of my strange hobbies. they know about my dolls, the anime scene, liking metal music and the fact i used to hop concerts before i got sick, the furry community etc.. i'm kinda the company freak around the office, fortunately i'm very good at what i do so noone cares

[zirconmermaid]

Since I have actually worked as a Doll Prototyper, yes I do mention the dolls. I have even brought Hazel to the interview. But that is a special case where the hobby has a direct positive result on the interview. Otherwise I put down the hobbies that relate to the job in question. I has so many it has always been possible to find a good hobby match for a job.

[magkelly]

I'm my own boss now. I don't answer to anyone. But I don't hide the fashion doll thing. When I was job hunting if someone asked what hobbies I'd write it in as "collecting vintage and high end fashion dolls" or something similar. Normally that description would prompt a discussion on exactly what that meant. Most people are suitably impressed actually when you start talking about customizing, designing and sewing for, and photographing for dolls like that. Most people have never seen a $125 fashion doll let alone an OOAK one. They only dolls I'd stay well away from mentioning, and actually I don't collect them so this is more of a figurative question thing, is those reborn newborn baby dolls. Even as a rabid doll collector I find that whole scene extremely creepy and if it creeps ME out I can only imagine what a potential employer might think.

[Kukolka]

Dolls weren't a big part of my life when I've had any job interview, but I have mentioned machinima (making videos from video game footage) in interviews, I figure it's a positive as it shows creativity. I did mention to my supervisor a few weeks ago, in regards to needing to use up my vacation time, that I want to customize a ball-jointed doll. Hence not having taken much time off, because I want to wait until the doll and supplies are here so I'll have something to do on my vacation. :}

[SoapBubbles]

It would depend on the job. I never bothered to include that in my resume or interview during my application to get into a research lab because it just has nothing to do with that job.

[Mirrin]

I was actually told to put my doll stuff in my portfolio as part of the theatre crafts section, me being a costumer and costume designer. Theatre crafts are all the weird little accessories, dyeing and distressing, and all the little weird things that costume people have to make. Dolls have so many aspects to put them together that it's a good way to show my abilities since I have no problem articulating about what I do with them.

It was something to set me apart to grad schools.