Finding hobbies and interests to include on a Resume might be difficult for many job seekers. Should you list your interests and hobbies in resume at all?
The answer is that it depends on your job stage, hobbies, and interests. In addition to your professional talents and abilities, this resume section may be a great approach to demonstrate your match with the company.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know whether or not you should put them on your resume and how to do it well.
Should you list your interests and hobbies on a resume?
Ask yourself these questions:
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Would someone looking at your resume be impressed by your hobbies or personal interests?
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Are they relevant to the job posting you’re applying for?
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Are your hobbies or interests going to help you succeed if you land this position?
If the answer is negative, you should remove this portion.
I’m sorry, but no recruiter will choose you for a position over another applicant just because you enjoy fishing or travelling. This is not a Tinder or a Facebook profile. Your resume serves as a sales pitch for the position to recruiting managers and employers.
Don’t worry; later on in this post, we’ll explain when it makes sense to include your interests, hobbies, and extracurricular activities on a resume.
What hobbies and interests should I mention in my resume?
Include any interests or hobbies that would demonstrate to the hiring manager or company why you’d be a good match for the position and have some bearing on your career. Consider the scenario when you are a recruiting manager trying to find a web developer.
Which applicant seems like a better choice for the job?
A) Hobbies & Interests: Travel, Fishing, and Playing the Guitar
B) Hobbies & Activities – Blogging about web development, fixing tricky coding problems, and volunteering to build and manage a website for a non-profit organisation.
Candidate B has more valuable and relevant interests and hobbies. Think of your hobbies and goods from the perspective of a potential employer when determining what to put on your resume.
What are some beneficial interests and hobbies to list on a resume?
We’ve compiled a list of interests and activities you should list on your resume.
Also Read: Why Should We Hire You
Five excellent interests and hobbies to list on your Resume are:
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Blogging on a subject or writings that have been published (in whichever industry you work).
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Part of an industry-relevant group or association (i.e. Member of the New York web development conference).
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Activities that show leadership in something (i.e. organized and led a nonprofit event aimed at feeding the hungry).
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Social/Charitable/Community Involvement (i.e. mentor for Big Brother program, volunteering at the local soup kitchen).
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Anything else that could be of relevance to the job? You can use both hard and soft skills to show an employer you’re the right fit for the job. Think about languages you know or skills you could teach to someone else.
Four examples of interests and hobbies that you SHOULD NOT list on your resume:
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Irrelevant hobbies (i.e. fishing, travelling, cooking, watching movies, etc. for an office job)
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Anything regarding political associations
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Controversial issues (i.e. a member of a pro-abortion group, gun rights advocate)
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Dangerous/unusual (i.e. base jumping, UFC, sword swallowing)
Three exceptions for hobbies and interests:
1. Your hobbies section is too short
You might want to provide less-relevant information if you have a few relevant hobbies or interests. Include your enthusiasm for cooking or your love of ceramics when “listing” your hobbies because doing so tends to look visually out of proportion. Avoid risky or contentious activities in the future.
2. Your interests align with the company you’re applying to
Identifying your similar political or religious affiliations may be a good idea if the company is associated with either. However, proceed with caution here.
3. Your hobbies prove your work culture fit
Some businesses place a significant priority on cultural fit. You should add your hometown’s recreational Ultimate Frisbee team if you learn that this company has one and you’re the team captain.
It’s acceptable to mention a few extracurricular activities because it provides character and a human touch. Always make an effort and start your sentence with something essential.
How many interests or hobbies should I mention?
Place this part near the end of your resume and keep it brief. The two to five that you believe are most important can be included. Attempt to keep this part from being excessively wordy or crowded. This should be a minor part of your overall strategy for persuading the employer that you are a suitable fit for the position and the organisation.
What if I don’t have any relevant interests or hobbies?
You might be reading this and saying to yourself, “I can’t think of any professionally relevant hobbies or interests that would fit well with my résumé,” but that’s okay. Relax!
It’s okay if you are unable to locate anything pertinent. The emphasis of your CV is not on your leisure activities.
However, we have some recommendations if you need to add something.
- Look for regional groups or associations in your industry that you can join.
- You can create a website and write on any subject related to your industry.
- Give your time to charitable organisations with causes that matter to you, either in person or online. Numerous NGOs want assistance with web development, social media, writing or editing blog posts, or contacting volunteers—all tasks you may complete at home. To find something that fits your talents and interests, check out Volunteer Match!
You can edge out the competition by utilising the appropriate interests and pursuits.
Should I include “Hobbies & Interests” on the label?
You might want to make a change at this point. Hobbies include crafts, fishing, sports, music, and other activities. The title of this section might benefit from being changed to something more formal.
You can label this section of your resume:
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“Activities and Interests”
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“Areas of Interest”
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“Other Information”
You can change the labelling depending on what you’re putting in.
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