How Hobbies Can Accelerate Your Career, According to Eric Sim

In a recent LinkedIn post, Eric Sim argues that many professionals significantly underestimate the career-boosting benefits of cultivating diverse interests outside of their immediate job responsibilities. Sim emphasizes that these pursuits are not merely for leisure but can tangibly strengthen one’s professional trajectory and broaden life experiences in practical ways.

Beyond Technical Skills: Building Rapport and Winning Business

Sim highlights that in demanding fields like investment banking, law, and management consulting, advancement to senior roles is rarely achieved solely through technical proficiency. Instead, success hinges on the ability to secure deals and accounts, which necessitates building strong rapport and trust with clients and colleagues. He suggests that constant talk about work alone is insufficient for this.

“Interests help you build relationships with bosses, colleagues, and potential clients… Talking about work all the time won’t cut it.”

As an example, Sim shares his personal approach: “I often talk about food, from street hawkers to fine dining. It gives people a human entry point before we talk business.” This strategy, according to Sim, provides a crucial human connection that can pave the way for more productive business discussions.

Expanding Networks and Perspectives

Furthermore, Eric Sim points out that personal interests can be powerful tools for expanding professional networks beyond industry confines. Engaging with individuals from different sectors can broaden one’s perspective and unlock opportunities that might not surface through conventional corporate channels.

Sim illustrates this with a personal anecdote:

“I got to know Maggie Mengzhu Li well via our common interests in shooting videos for a Chinese social media app, xiaohongshu (RedNote). I learned about management consultant from her.”

This connection, forged through a shared interest, led to valuable insights into a different professional field, demonstrating how hobbies can act as bridges to new knowledge and relationships.

Monetizing Passions and Achieving Financial Independence

A third key benefit that Sim identifies is the potential for certain interests to evolve into income streams. Over time, these can reduce reliance on a single employer and, in some cases, facilitate an earlier exit from corporate life.

From Hobby to Income

Sim himself provides a compelling example of this principle in action. He notes:

“I started writing on LinkedIn as an interest, and as a way to improve my writing. Today, I get paid to create sponsored content.”

This transition illustrates how a developed interest can become a viable source of income. Sim also shared his experience with students at Nanyang Technological University Singapore, where he showcased his interest in architecture by presenting a model he created. He advised students on how they could differentiate themselves to prospective employers by highlighting their unique interests.

Ultimately, Sim’s post serves as a compelling argument for the multifaceted advantages of pursuing interests beyond the workplace, suggesting they are integral components of a well-rounded and successful career.