However I think that there are at least two members of this forum who are in HR so they I am sure will have excellent advice...

It's certainly not something that I hide - I have written about it in our work magazine - but my take on it is that it could be perceived as me trying to take advantage of my membership by hoping that it would be seen by a brother who would cut me some slack.

On the other hand, if it were seen by an anti it would be a fair bet that I wouldn't even get to an interview!

I would certainly take a dim view if someone I were interviewing were to try to take advantage of their membership of the Craft - but don't forget that I work in the public sector so not only do we have to be fair, we have to be seen to be fair

My advice would be not to include it

Wayne

PM Hamlet of Van Lodge 8334 UGLE (Caerphilly - South Wales) H Hamlet of Van Chapter 8334
WM, Caerffili MMM 1348 PCN, Caerffili RAM 1348 St Teilo Chapter A&AR 789
Brangwyn SRIA 75 Castell Caerffili OSM 466 Fforest KT 582: Merthyr Tydfil R&SM 120, Penychen - Athelstan 53, RCC 295 KTP 100 OSC 21 TI

The final position is that it entirely your choice what you deem right to mention in your CV. I would be inclined myself, not to do so. It begs the question, what is the relevance to any job application of your membership? To you (and to me), the influence of Freemasonry is profound, and has a bearing on the life we lead, the life we wish to lead, and the way we choose to lead it. For many outside of the Craft it is at best not understood and at worst misunderstood. It would open up the possible allegation that by mentioning that you are a Freemason, that you seek some advantage from flaunting that fact. UGLE has been quite specific about not displaying Grand Lodge Certificates nor seeking advantage through your membership of Freemasonry.

Your CV, during the job application process, will be the first thing a prospective employer sees and the first thing that will influence his impression of you. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. I would respectfully suggest that to a prospective employer,it is the skills and experience that you have to offer that is important. Your membership of Freemasonry is no more relevant than your religion, the colour of your skin or your preference for bagels over croissants.

If however you are (and I hope you will be) successful in obtaining employment, the success of your work will be what decides your employer whether he made the right decision in employing you. You will have obtained that employment because of the skill and experience that you have to offer, your personality and your application to the job. The fact that you are a Freemason is not something that can be held up with the suspicion (however unjustified) of,"He only got the job because......"

That's my twopence worth. The final decision is of course yours.

I wish you every success.

:)

Roy L.

"SELUME PROFERRE"

People are very quick to form opinions from what they see on paper, the opinion will change over time of knowing them in person But by adding Freemasonry to your CV you would have a less of a chance of getting to meet in person.

Even if your form lands on the desk of someone who is not an anti what would be the deductions they would make from your CV stating membership of craft membership?

Cheers, Iain

Dumbarton Kilwinning Lodge No 18

You would be walking a dangerous line in putting in your Masonic involvement giving you skills transferrable to the workplace (valid though it may be) - those in the Craft may see where you are coming form, those not in the Craft wouldn't. I think the majority, on both sides would perhaps see it as trying to use your membership in a way we all know we shouldn't.

I'd leave it out.

Eric 

If I had a C.V. I would not mention my membership of Freemasonry on it. I feel that it would not add anything to a C.V. or increase the likelihood of securing an interview.

However if granted an interview I would quite readily wear my suit proudly sporting my Forget Me Not lapel pin or perhaps an Acacia Leaf pin. Further if questioning went in certain ways at an interview I would not be unhappy to tell a prospective employer of my membership.

Thats my thoughts anyway,

Stephen

  Stephen   

As for the "Hobbies" question on Job Application Forms as far as I am concerned what I do out of work is no business of an employer unless I care to tell them. Their control over me is only for the hours I work and they pay me for, either at their premises or if I am representing them at a customer's premises, Trade Exhibition etc. I do not attend any Social Events run by my employers, to be honest I don't do "social". The only exception I would feel reasonable would be a prohibition on working for a trade competitor in my own time which is completely understandable, or were I to drink excessively or take drugs or indulge in other "activities" which would adversely affect my abilities at work.  As far as I am able I try to keep my work life and my out of work life separate although it is not possible to make such a separation 100% in the real world. 

I usually put something bland in the "Hobbies" section of application forms just to fill it out, but feel that it is intrusive as I would also feel if they were to ask me my religion or politics.

Bro Carl, I wish you well in your search for employment.