While most recruiters advise that one shouldn’t include hobbies or interests on their resume as it looks unprofessional, but it’s not exactly true. There are some benefits that come with citing the right hobbies and interests on your resume.
When it comes to mentioning your hobbies and interest on a resume, you must choose relevant hobbies that can boost your personality. If you’re thinking about listing hobbies like "I like reading books and watching movies", then you’ll definitely lose out and become a part of the crowd who doesn’t impress recruiters in the first place.
The hobbies and interest section in the resume might look irrelevant and boring but it's a great way to catch the eye of recruiters. The Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and many others highlight the importance of adding interests and hobbies to your resume. But why? It’s all about the work-life balance. Employers are looking for humans who have fun outside of work and it will definitely show the real you.
Let's be real that not every hobby belongs on your resume. Some unusual or weird hobbies can show you in a bad light in front of recruiters and potentially blacklisted in the future. This is why it's very important to choose the right hobbies and interests to put on a resume.
In this article, we’ll list such examples of hobbies and interests that will create a positive impression and stand you out from the crowd. Before that let’s see how hobbies differentiate from interests.
Hobbies vs Interest
Many people get confused between hobbies and interests, thinking of both as the same thing. But they aren’t. They complement each other if done correctly. It can become your strong weapon to ace interviews. So, what exactly are hobbies? How does it differentiate from interests?
Hobbies | Interests |
|---|---|
A hobby is a fun activity you can do when you’ve some free time. It might not earn you any money but it can be fun to do. | Interests are something you’ve got a fascination with. It can be an area of a subject or topic which knocks your thought process and you want to explore and understand the subject more. |
Some examples of hobbies are gardening, collecting stamps, snorkeling, collecting postcards, etc. | Some examples of interests are traveling, cars, languages, etc. |
Hobbies show the recruiter what you exactly like to do in your spare time and what other skills you have. If your hobby is blog writing, it shows that you’re very keen on research work. | Interests show that you’re interested in that certain topic or idea and would like to explore more. When it comes to interests, you can mention interests like cars if you’re finding a job in a motor company which shows that you’re interested in cars and related to the industry. |
You can see that hobbies and interests can add value to your resume if they are relevant to the position and point to the soft skills that the company is searching for.
List of Hobbies and Interests To Put on Your Resume
Here are some examples of hobbies and interests that you may want to include on your resume:
1. Volunteer work or community involvement
Volunteer work or community involvement demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impact in your community and can showcase a variety of skills that are valuable in the workplace.
For example, volunteer work can demonstrate your leadership skills if you held a leadership role within the organization, or teamwork skills if you worked on a project with a group.
Volunteer work can also showcase your dedication and initiative, as you have chosen to spend your free time helping others. You can show that you’ve got the ability to work under pressure and manage time while working with limited resources.
Example - Volunteering at a Dog Shelter on weekends.
2. Travel and explore new cultures
Traveling and exploring new cultures can show recruiters your adaptability and open-mindedness, as well as cross-cultural communication skills. Traveling to different parts of the world exposes a person to different cultures, languages, and customs, which can help them to become more open-minded and understanding of different perspectives.
It also shows your ability to navigate unfamiliar situations and cultures, which can be valuable in a global business environment.
Example - Like to travel and explore new cultures. So far I’ve travelled to 5 countries.
3. Reading, writing, or blogging
Reading, writing, or blogging can reveal your literacy and communication skills. Reading can show your ability to understand and interpret written information, while writing or blogging can demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.
Blogging can also show your ability to use technology and digital platforms, which can be valuable in today's digital age and can help you grab a job that requires a tech-savvy individual.
Example - Like to read non-fiction books like self-help books, management books and travel books.
4. Sports, fitness or wellness activities
Sports, fitness, or wellness activities can display your discipline, goal orientation, and physical stamina. If you’re engaging in regular physical activity, you can show commitment to taking care of your health and well-being, which can be valuable in a high-stress work environment.
If you're an athlete and often participate in sports or fitness activities, then you can show your ability to set and achieve goals, as well as the ability to work well in a team.
Example - Practicing table tennis and ping pong and Muay Thai during my free time.
5. Playing musical instruments
If you put a hobby like playing musical instruments like Guitar or Saxophone, then you're showing your discipline, creativity, and dedication.
Playing a musical instrument requires discipline and dedication to practice, which can be valuable in a work environment and also your creative side.
Example - Playing the piano and ukulele and learning new instruments.
6. Creative pursuits such as art, photography or design
Taking part in creative hobbies such as art, photography, or design can showcase your imaginative spirit, meticulousness, and knack for thinking outside the box. Indulging in these activities can demonstrate your ability to approach challenges with a fresh perspective, making them a valuable asset in any work setting.
If you're applying for a creative role, doing these activities can showcase your creativity and have an eye for new things.
Example - Take nature photography and create handmade postcards with those photos on them.
7. Cooking or foodie interests
Cooking up a storm in the kitchen or being a foodie can show off your creativity, precision, and love for learning new things. Cooking allows one to be creative in experimenting with new dishes and perfecting the skills with attention to detail.
Being interested in food and cooking is an indication of your desire to learn and try new things, making them eager learners in any field.
Example - Trying out new food outlets in different cities and making different cuisines from scratch.
8. Learning new languages
Learning new languages like French, German, and many others can showcase your adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and thirst for knowledge. Taking on the challenge of learning a new language is a clear indication of one's willingness to adapt and learn new things.
Moreover, speaking multiple languages can demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds, making you a valuable asset in a global business setting.
Example - Learning new foreign languages like Mandarin, Japanese, and French.
9. Outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or rock climbing
Embracing the great outdoors through activities such as hiking, camping, or rock climbing can highlight your bravery, stamina, and problem-solving skills. These activities require a certain level of physical fitness and determination, as well as the ability to navigate unfamiliar terrain and potentially difficult conditions.
By taking on outdoor challenges, you can show that you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions to unexpected problems.
Example - Trekking through steep mountains. I’ve trekked through 5 peaks so far.
10. Gaming or technology interests
A passion for gaming or technology can showcase your tech-savviness, problem-solving abilities, and ability to pick up new software and platforms quickly. It shows you are comfortable working with technology and have the ability to learn new tools and platforms quickly.
Gaming also often requires strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well under pressure, all of which can be beneficial in a work setting. Furthermore, gaming can demonstrate your ability to work in a team and to be a leader, as well as communication skills.
Example - Playing games like Minecraft and Fortnite with my game teammates and participating in weekly challenges.
Other hobbies and interests you can mention are:
11. Gardening or farming
12. Wine or beer making
13. Environmental conservation or sustainability
14. Personal development or self-improvement
15. Board games or puzzle solving
16. Collecting art or other items
17. Personal finance or investing
18. Carpentry or DIY projects
19. Motorcycling or car enthusiast
20. Pet care or animal welfare
21. Boardsports such as snowboarding, surfing, or skateboarding
22. Scuba diving or snorkeling
23. Astronomy or space exploration
24. Writing
25. Podcasting
26. Learn new programming languages
27. Vlogging
28. E-Sports
29. Learning sign language
30. Embroidery
You can also add hobbies and interests that can show these hard and soft skills:
It's important to note that not all these hobbies and interests may be relevant or suitable for the job you are applying for. Therefore, you should only select the ones that are most relevant and showcase your skills and personality in the best way possible.
Why Add Hobbies and Interests in Resume?
Well, the answer to this question depends on a few factors. It can be beneficial to include hobbies and interests on your resume, as they can give the hiring manager a sense of your personality and how you might fit in with the company culture.
However, it is important to only include hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job or industry you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in the tech industry, mentioning that you enjoy coding or building websites could be relevant.
However, if you're a veteran in the industry and have years of job experience, then you might not need to add your hobbies to your resume as you already have achievements, work experience, and other things to show that can tell about your personality.
On the other hand, if you're a fresher and don't have much to show your resume, you can add your hobbies and interests that will help you stand out from the crowd and also show the recruiter that they've certain skills to put on a resume.
When to Include Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume
It is generally appropriate to include hobbies and interests on your resume when they are suitable to the job or industry you are applying for. If your hobbies and interests align with the values or skills required for the job, it can be beneficial to include them to showcase how you might fit in with the company culture or how you can contribute to the role.
For example, if you are applying for a job in the sports industry, mentioning that you are a passionate sports fan or a recreational athlete could be relevant. Similarly, if you are applying for a job in the creative field, mentioning your interest in art, photography or music could be relevant.
It's also worth mentioning that, if your resume is sparse or you have limited work experience, adding hobbies and interests can also help to fill out your resume and make it look more impressive.
It's important to keep in mind that Hobbies and Interests should not be the main focus of your resume, the main focus should be on your education, work experience, and skills. It is best to keep the section brief, typically one or two lines, and if you are running out of space on your resume, it is perfectly fine to leave it out.
How to List Hobbies and Interests to Match the Job Requirements?
When it comes to listing hobbies and interests on a resume that matches the job requirement, many candidates do the mistake of putting hobbies that are inappropriate and irrelevant to the job role.
There's a right way to list hobbies that can catch the eye of recruiters and make them think that not only do you've transferable skills but also have a unique personality that can become an asset to the company.
When listing hobbies and interests on a resume, it's important to be strategic and selective about which ones to include. Here are some tips for how to list hobbies and interests on a resume:
- Tailor your hobbies and interests to the job requirement: Choose hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in a creative field, listing your interest in photography or art may be more relevant than listing your interest in watching movies or playing pc games.
- Be specific: Instead of listing a general interest, such as "reading," specify the types of books or authors you enjoy. This will give the employer a better sense of your interests and how they align with the job.
- Keep it brief: Limit your list of hobbies and interests to no more than 3-5 items. You want to be selective and only list the most relevant hobbies and interests.
- Include any relevant accomplishments: If you have any relevant accomplishments in your hobbies and interests, such as winning a photography competition or completing a marathon, be sure to include them.
- Be honest: Only include hobbies and interests that you genuinely enjoy and have experience with. Don't include something just because you think it will make you look good. Interviewers can catch you easily if you lie on your resume.
- List it at the end: You can list your hobbies and interests at the end of your resume, after your education, experience and skills.
- Use Action verbs: Use action verbs to describe your hobbies, for example, "Photographed wildlife on safari expeditions," "Conducted research on medieval literature".
By following these tips, you can effectively highlight your hobbies and interests on your resume in a way that showcases your unique strengths and qualifications to potential employers.
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Conclusion
Including hobbies and interests on a resume can be a great way to showcase your personality and unique qualities to potential employers. When deciding which hobbies to include, it's important to choose ones that are applicable to the job you are applying for and that demonstrate valuable skills or qualities.
While the hobbies and interests section of a resume is not the most important one, it can still be a good way to stand out and give the hiring manager a sense of who you are as a person. And remember, the most important thing is to choose hobbies that you enjoy, as they can bring a sense of fulfillment and balance to your life.