Example of interests: Interests & Hobbies: Should They Be On Your Resume?

Interests & Hobbies: Should They Be On Your Resume?

Posted by Glassdoor Team

Career Advice Experts

Last Updated June 29, 2021

Guide Overview

Should you include interests on your resume?How to list interests on your resumeExamples of interests to include on your resumeWhat not to include on your resume

Guide Overview

Listing hobbies and interests on your resume

Including your interests and hobbies may not be the first thing you consider when writing a professional resume, but doing so can support a resume in a variety of instances, including when you have little or no work experience. And, some organizations even prefer to see resumes with interests on them as it gives the hiring manager a well-rounded idea of the candidate as a person. Here we explore if and when you should include interests on your resume, how to list hobbies and interests on your resume, examples for guidance, and what to avoid when including your interests on a professional resume.

Should you include interests on your resume?

There are several instances in which you should consider including your hobbies and interests on your professional resume. Before doing so, it’s important to consider what this information will convey to potential employers and if that aligns with what the job posting asks for. Interests and hobbies you include provide hiring managers with an understanding of who you are as a person and how you spend your time outside of work. Your interests and hobbies also show employers any extra skills you possess and subjects you want to learn more about.

Here are a few times when you should consider including interests and hobbies on your professional resume:

• You don’t have many skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• You have little or no work experience.
• You have little educational experience.
• The company specifically asks for applicants to include their interests and hobbies.
• The company actively looks for applicants with unique character traits and personalities.
• The job listing includes duties that relate to your interests and hobbies.

You should consider whether to include hobbies or interests on your resume for each job you apply for based on the company’s specific requests and work culture.

How to list interests on your resume

The following are steps you should take when including your interests on your professional resume:

1. Research the organization. The first step in including interests and hobbies on your resume is to spend time getting to know the company your applying to. Begin by looking at the job description and seeing what traits they’re seeking in candidates. Next, visit the company’s website and take a look at any mention of the organization’s work culture. You can also check out the company’s social media to get a better feel for the company culture.
2. Choose interests and hobbies that align with the desired personality traits. Once you have a good idea of what the company is looking for in terms of personality traits and skills, choose a few of your interests that best match up with this. For example, if the job listing asks for candidates who are good team players, including your interest in a sport demonstrates that you’re able to and enjoy participating in team activities.
3. Include interests that accentuate your skills. You can also use an interest section on your resume to highlight relevant skills. If you lack work experience but have an interest or hobby that’s equipped you with a relevant skill for the job, including this interest allows hiring managers to see you as still being qualified for the position. For example, if you’re applying for a copywriting position but have little work experience, you could include that you freelance write for a blog or magazine in your spare time.
4. Create a separate section on your resume. Rather than lumping in your interests and hobbies with work experience and skills, create a separate section at the end of your resume with a heading such as ‘Hobbies and Interests’ or ‘Interests. ’
5. Include up to five different interests or hobbies. Choose a few interests or hobbies that most relate to the job you’re applying for to include on your resume. Provide a specific description for each. For example, rather than listing ‘reading’ as a hobby, you could write ‘I enjoy reading 18th-century American literature.’

Examples of interests to include on your resume

Choosing the right interest or hobby to include on your resume is important to ensure you convey to hiring managers the right message of who you are and what you bring to the table. Here are a few examples of quality hobbies and interests to put on a resume:

• Writing
• Volunteering
• Learning new languages
• Blogging
• Social media marketing
• Sports
• Traveling
• Reading
• Creating music
• Outdoor activities
• Theater
• Art
• Video gaming
• Yoga
• Mindfulness
• Calligraphy
• Sketching
• Public speaking
• Dancing
• Gardening

Here’s are a few examples of an interest and hobbies section on a professional resume:

Interests & Hobbies

• Volunteering at my local soup kitchen
• Learning Mandarin
• Coaching soccer at the local high school
• Hiking tall mountains

Interests

• Playing the piano
• Blogging about wellness practices for women
• Cooking gluten-free recipes
• Leading a weekly wine-and-women book club

Interests and Hobbies

• Volunteering: I regularly volunteer on the weekends at a local animal shelter.
• Music: I enjoy both listening to and creating music and have played the guitar for 10 years.
• Traveling: I’ve visited more than 20 countries in the last five years.
• Yoga: I teach a weekly Yin Yoga class at my local wellness center.

What not to include on your resume

Including interests and hobbies that express your positive skills and traits will more effectively convey your positive attributes to hiring managers. When deciding what to put in your interests section, take time to consider whether each interest would have a positive or negative impact on the employer.

You should avoid the following in your interests and hobbies section:

• Interests that are overly broad or vague
• Interests or hobbies that are dangerous or illegal
• Interests or hobbies that you don’t actually partake in
• Hobbies or interests related to religion, politics, or sex
• Interests or hobbies expressed in a way that’s easily misinterpreted

Related Career Guides

Blog HomeCareer GuidesInterview Preparation

Interests & Hobbies: Should They Be On Your Resume?

40+ Hobbies & Interests to Put on a Resume [Updated for 2022]

Should you include hobbies in your resume?

Many people are firmly against that, claiming that your job resume and hobbies are two separate things, never to be mentioned in the same breath. After all, one is for job hunting, and the other – to unwind.

But that’s not always the case.

Why would the HR manager care about your love for 18th-century Russian literature, you might ask.

Well, your resume hobbies and interests section can really set you apart from a sea of job seekers and shine some personality onto your resume. 

Though, only if it’s done right.

Traveling and watching Netflix?

Everyone likes that, sure, but it doesn’t really set you apart from others, does it?

The key is to include attractive hobbies that are valuable to the company. Something that demonstrates clear qualities about your personality, and ideally, is relevant to the job as well.

Because, no matter what your list of interests looks like, you’re still saying something specific to the hiring manager with them.

You coach the local high school basketball team? Then you might excel at teamwork and leadership.

You’re into technology and computing? You might make a great coder, but might not necessarily excel at a social job.

Of course, this is a brief generalization.

But if the company you’re applying to has some form of a work-life culture, chances are, they will be interested to see if you’d be the right fit with their team. 

And how will they check this?

That’s right! The hobbies and interests section of your resume.

So, should you include hobbies and interests on your resume?

Do they reflect your personality, work-ethic, and self-discipline?

In that case, you might want to.

So, read on to find out:

• Should You Mention Hobbies & Interests on Your Resume?
• How to List Hobbies & Interest on Your Resume
• 40+ Best Hobbies and Interests to Put on Your Resume [Complete List]

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Should You Mention Hobbies & Interests on Your Resume?

You already have limited space on your resume as is.

So, as a general thing, you should ONLY mention your hobbies and interests on a resume if you have the space for it.

And if you are going to mention them, you should also know that certain hobbies say specific things about you.

As a rule of thumb, your hobbies and interests should show your good side and how you’d make the perfect fit for the job you’re applying to.

For example, if you like to speak at local conventions, chances are, you might be an extrovert and good at public speaking – which might come in handy at a sales role.

Applying for a gaming company? Makes sense for your interests to be related to tech.

But what if you’re applying for a job where your hobby isn’t as directly related?

In that case, you might want to think about how your hobby is perceived and what kind of association the HR manager might get from it.

Consider if the job you’re applying to requires a lot of teamwork and thinking on your feet.

How will your interests come in handy here?

• Do you coach the local basketball team in your spare time? That just might transfer to your new job.
• Watching a sport from afar? Not as much.

If your hobbies are not relevant to the job, and don’t have a lot of transferable value – don’t bother with taking up valuable space on your resume.

Though situational, your interests can be what might end up getting you the job.

Here’s how:

How Your Interests Can Save Your Resume

Consider the following scenario:

The HR manager has discarded all but 2 resumes. They’re near identical, except for one thing – one of the resumes has a detailed “interests” section.

Now, when the hiring manager is faced with selecting from 2 equally qualified candidates, the deciding factor tends to come down to them being a right fit culture-wise.  

If one of them volunteers at the local soup kitchen, while the other resume appears to be devoid of personality, the one with the list of hobbies and interests is most likely always going to come out on top.

If done right, your hobbies could be the icing on the cake for the rest of your resume.

The section likely won’t make or break your resume, but it can make a difference during the interview. 

You might be qualified, but are you the right fit personality-wise?

If done right, your interest section could improve your job attractiveness as a potential candidate to the HR manager. They might remember the person who does archery in their free time, compared to the other lifeless resumes, and even bring it up during the interview.

If that happens – that’s your time to shine and dazzle them with your unique hobby and intriguing personality.

Ready to start listing your hobbies and interests on your resume?

Here’s what you need to know:

How to List Hobbies & Interest on Your Resume

As mentioned above, your hobbies and interests belong at the end of your resume.

But how exactly do you list them? And more importantly, how do you know which interests are relevant to that one specific company?

For the actual section, you can go with “Interests” (safe choice), or “Personal activities”.

“Hobbies” imply a personal interest and that there is no real relevance to the career position, which shouldn’t be the case.

Now, what interests do you actually list in your resume?

To figure that out, start by researching the company. See if they have any specific work culture, work retreats, and what qualities would complement your job role.

You can then tailor your resume interest examples accordingly.

Start with the job ad. Most job offers already list some qualities and skills they’re looking for in candidates.

Now, think about how those soft skills might transfer to a specific hobby or interest. 

For example, if they’re looking for someone with good verbal communication skills and someone quick on their feet – it might be a good idea to include a sport-related hobby that includes those specific qualities.

When mentioning hobbies or interests, you might also want to flesh them out a bit.

After all, some hobbies require a bit of explaining. 

You can, in one sentence, explain why that hobby is relevant, or what it involved. For example “Basketball – created a local team and played in creational league for 5 years.”

Correct Example

• If they’re looking for a team player in a communication-valued job role – founded local basketball team, which I’m playing and coaching to this day.

Employers are typically looking for healthy, well-rounded individuals that offer diversity and well, being a unique member of the team. 

So, you shouldn’t list your hobbies just for the sake of standing out. You need to recognize the power hobbies can have on your personal development, as well as on your career.

Incorrect Example

• If they’re looking for a developer who can think ahead and quickly adapt to a new environment – joined the underwater basket-weaving class in college in which I created the most baskets in record time.

Taking time away from work to focus on your personal interests can lead to personal growth. You’re building your creativity, and developing a new skill set all on your own.

If you’re passionate about traveling and exploring new cultures, for example, this can contribute to building your creativity and help you see things in a different light.

Employers value this. And it also contributes to the team morale and the overall work culture.

Finally, when listing your interests, make sure they’re short (1 sentence per hobby), and the list doesn’t exceed 3-4 relevant hobbies.

Your complete resume shouldn’t exceed 1 page, so, if you’re running out of space, know that it’s the first place you might want to take out.

By now, you should have a general idea of what kind of hobbies you should include and when.

Take the time to find what you actually enjoy and can talk about during the interview, if needed.  

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t make up an elaborate hobby just so you seem interesting and self-driven.

Instead, here’s a list of some good and bad interests you can list at the end of your resume if you’re looking for some inspiration.

>>> Download our 2022 Free Job-Search eBook Guide <<<

40 Best Hobbies and Interests to Put on Your Resume [Complete List]

Adding your hobbies and interests at the end is a great way to end up your resume on a high note and help form a lasting impression.

Regardless of the hobby you’re listing, first, make sure it’s an honest representation of you. 

Don’t over exaggerate something that can come back and bite you later on during the interview.

Just because you like to go on walks sometimes, doesn’t mean you’re “passionate about hiking”.

It won’t be as fun if the interviewer starts asking you questions about it later on.

On that note, if there’s anything that might be considered “weird” or controversial that you do – you might want to list that off your resume as well, just to be safe.  

Anything that has to do with politics, or your love of collecting old baseball cards might help you stand out – but not in the good way.

Remember, you want to be relatable and likable.

Looking for inspiration?

Here’s a number of hobbies you can include, by category, based on your personality type.

Sports Interest and Hobby Examples

Generally speaking, there are two types of sports you can include on your resume – individual and team-oriented.

Depending on the sport, they either show you work well with others, or that you have the self-discipline and perseverance to work alone (or both!) 

Endurance sports (like jogging) show your drive and discipline.

Team sports (like football, basketball, etc.) show that you’re comfortable working with others.

Which one you might want to include depends on you and the job. Here are some sports hobbies you could list that will paint you in a positive light:

• Basketball
• Football
• Volleyball
• Marathon running
• Skiing
• Tennis
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Baseball
• Mountain climbing

Most of these sports are outside and physical activities. They show that you’re comfortable with working with other people and that you have discipline. Therefore, they’re relevant for most job roles that require you to be communicative and self-driven.

Analytical Thinking Interest and Hobby Examples

What’s a thought hobby?

Anything that points to your creative skills and imagination. 

If you’re applying for a job that requires a lot of out-of-the-box thinking, you can list the following hobbies:

• Chess
• Playing a musical instrument
• Reading
• Writing
• Sketching
• Photography
• Design
• Blog writing
• Painting

These all point to your analytical thinking and that you’re a creative person.

Possibly more calm and self-composed, and also that you think before you speak.

These qualities can be relevant depending on the job.

Though, your interest section doesn’t necessarily have to consist only of sports. 

Unique Interest and Hobby Examples

Do you have a particularly unique hobby that not a lot of people are into?

This can work in your favor and help you stand out, as long as it’s still in the unique area and not in the weird one.

The HR manager shuffling through a stack of resumes can remember your unique hobby and come back to your resume later. Or they could even ask about you during the interview, so be prepared to talk about it.

Some unique hobbies that can speak about your character may include:

• Archery
• Gardening
• Stand-up comedy
• Baking
• Journaling
• Calligraphy
• Fencing
• Theater
• Yoga
• Languages

How do these hobbies help?

Archery implies you might be a precise and focused person. And yoga shows that you can be calm and don’t lose your cool in stressful situations.

Though, just how effective those hobbies will be in your resume may depend on the job.

But as long as it’s not too weird, a unique hobby can help you get your foot in the door and show that you’re not afraid of being different.

Looking for tips on writing a CV instead of a resume? We’ve got you covered! Head over to our in-depth guide explaining how to write a CV!

Key Takeaways

All in all, your list of hobbies and interests say a lot about you. Both, professionally as well as about your character.

Assuming you have space on your resume and it’s still going to be 1 page, feel free to include any list of hobbies and interests only if they work in your favor.

Here’s how to decide that:

• Does the job require you to be social and work well within a team? Look for any specific skills and qualifications in the job ads, and think how your hobbies can reflect that.
• For example, being the shot-caller of your local basketball team also means you’re quick at thinking on your feet and work well within a team.
• Work backwards: first, look at some of the qualities required for the job. Then, consider how your hobbies might communicate those traits.
• When listing your hobbies and interests, you can simply include a section called “Interests” (or “Personal activities”) at the end. 
• Not sure which hobbies and interests to mention on your resume? Check out our list of 40+ above!

Interested in further personal and career development advice?

Be sure to check out our career blog for more actionable advice. 

Suggested reading:

• How to Pick the Best Resume Format in [+Examples]
• Best Hobbies & Interests to Put on a Resume [+Examples]
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume [With Tips + Tricks]

Your hobbies and hobbies in your resume (examples)

Immediately about the main thing. Indicating hobbies, hobbies and your personal interests in the resume – is a secondary thing . It doesn’t matter if you write about it in your resume or not.

I don’t know where this attitude comes from. Most likely, this is part of the Russian tradition – to evaluate a person by deeds and not get into the soul. For comparison, many American companies pay a lot of attention to the personal achievements of candidates – victories in basketball, marathons, participation in the release of university wall newspapers, embroideries, and so on and so forth. Of course, in America they can also overlook your hobbies, but less often than in Russia. nine0005

At the same time, it is worth remembering that if you don’t have to write a word about a hobby in a resume, then at the interview you will definitely be assessed as a person. It is likely that you may be asked – what do you do in your free time, what are your hobbies, how do you spend your holidays, etc.

Three things are extremely important in a resume: professional skills, work experience and achievements.

It’s better to mention hobbies

Still, weighing all the pros and cons, I recommend that you indicate your hobbies and interests in your resume. This will make the resume a little livelier and more attractive. nine0005

What hobbies are better to indicate in a resume

The ideal case is when your personal interests and hobbies in your resume match your profession. For example, if a web designer takes photos, makes art furniture, paints with watercolors, or something like that, that’s great.

However, ideal cases do not always exist, and the designer in question may well be a weightlifter, chess addict, or go fishing. This is also normal. It looks adequate and you can write about it. nine0005

Examples of hobbies in resumes

Would look good on a resume:

• Any non-extreme sport – swimming, running, skating, dancing, football, arm wrestling, sambo, etc.
• Music (whether you compose, play or just go to concerts).
• Fishing, hunting, forest.
• Needlework (sewing, knitting, creation of leather goods, soft toys, beads, jewelry and other things). Of course, these are women’s things and they will look adequate in a resume. nine0030
• Reading, literature, history.
• Gardening, growing flowers and plants.
• Creativity (drawing, photography, weaving with beads, making birdhouses and much more).
• Animals (cats, dogs, horses, fish, etc.).
• Cooking.

All these examples look adequate. You can write about any such hobbies and hobbies in your resume quite calmly. This will show you from the good side.

If you have a strange hobby, choose expressions

There are interests that need to be mentioned carefully or not mentioned at all. These hobbies include:

• Own business. A very ambiguous thing and there are people who consider you too smart.
• Stock market trading.
• Poker or other games of chance. Gambling people are poorly managed, and this is a huge minus for the applicant.
• Religious interests, magic and divination in any form.
• Especially extreme sport. He will look good in the resume of a security specialist, bodyguard, etc. If you apply for other positions and are fond of something extreme, be restrained in your expressions. You can write “motorcycles” instead of “motorcycle racing”, write “martial arts” instead of “mix fight”, etc. nine0030

I want to repeat myself again. If your hobby matches your profession, write it down. If you want to be a sports journalist and write a column about wrestling, write about all the martial arts you’ve done. This will play into your hands.

If you have doubts about the correctness of the expressions, we can create a turnkey summary for you. It’s fast and efficient.

If you don’t have a hobby, relax

If you have no hobbies, you are a normal person. Relax and don’t write anything on your resume in the hobby section. If at the interview they ask about your activities in your free time, talk about family, home, friends. nine0005

Also read

» How to write a resume

» How to write about achievements in a resume

» Interview preparation – 5 steps to success

Resume Interest Examples – ResumePro

The Hobbies and Interests section is an important but optional section on your resume. Many candidates include this on their resumes, while others do not.

Which approach to choose?

We recommend that you include your personal interests on your resume because it’s a great way to stand out from the crowd, show a potential employer a little bit of your personality, and make that the basis for interview conversions. nine0005

1. What are hobbies and interests?

A hobby is an activity that you do regularly for fun, especially in your free time. These are activities that usually relieve you of stress, tension, or fatigue.

What are examples of hobbies for a resume?

1. Sports activities (football, tennis, etc.)
2. Playing chess and solving puzzles
3. Reading and writing books and articles
4. Drawing, sketching and painting
5. Cooking and baking
6. Travel

Interest is an activity that you want to do or are currently doing on a occasional basis.

What are examples of personal interests for a resume?

1. Organization of events in the community
2. Participation in charity
3. Volunteering in local companies, clubs and organizations
4. Participation in charity events
5. Participation in campaigns
6. Joining social, environmental or animal rights groups

2.

Should I add hobbies and interests to my resume?

Yes, adding personal hobbies to your resume can strengthen your job application and increase your chances of getting an interview. This is because recruiters invest in people ; they hire and work with people, not robots. Recruiters actively look for every clue on candidates’ resumes to learn about their interests, skills, and competencies. nine0005

Benefits of including your personal interests on your resume:

• This will give the recruiter a better idea of ​​who you are.
• Extracurricular interests tell the employer that you are a versatile person who not only works, but also likes to have a good time.
• They are an excellent basis for discussion during the interview phase.
• Playing sports indicates that you are in good shape, healthy and sociable.

nine0029 Participation in community life requires good interpersonal skills

1. Candidates who must indicate their interests in your resume

• School leavers
• College and university students
• Candidates with little or no work experience
• Candidates who have an empty spot on their CV

Remember that your resume is your personal marketing tool and you should make the most of your entire resume, including the interest section, to “sell yourself” to a potential employer. nine0005

1. Applicants who should not indicate their interests in the resume

• Senior professionals, including managers and supervisors
• Candidates with extensive experience
• Candidates whose CVs exceed more than 2 A4 pages.

Due to the lack of valuable space on these candidates’ resumes, relevant work experience and qualifications take precedence over personal interests. nine0005

3.

What your hobbies “say” about you

“Playing football,” “solving puzzles,” and “fixing computers” are not generic terms without meaning; they carry a deeper message.

Here’s what potential employers will subconsciously ask themselves when they read candidates’ resumes:

What do the phrases “I play football regularly”, “I like solving puzzles” or “I like fixing computers” tell me about this candidate? nine0104

Many people don’t realize that the hobbies and interests they include on their resume can reveal a lot about them and their personality.

Below is a list of some of the hobbies and interests and what they tell employers about the candidate:

List of hobbies and interests for a resume

Hobby, interest or skill	What does this say about the candidate
Calculations	Technically savvy and tech savvy, can also be an introvert
Swimming	Keeps fit and healthy
Puzzle solving	Has excellent problem-solving and analytical skills and likes to take on challenges
Football/football game	Has teamwork skills; enjoys the company of other people
Chess game	Intelligent, strategist and thinks before acting
Mentoring	A team player (not a loner), has good communication and interpersonal skills.
Squash game	Highly competitive and motivated
Read	Smart, likes to learn new things, open-minded and analytical
I am writing	Is creative, artistic and/or passionate
Go to the gym	Health conscious, fit and motivated to achieve goals
Travel	sociable, sociable and adventurous

Ask yourself: How do these interests add value to my app? Try to emphasize your ability to interact, help and/or communicate with others. nine0005

4. What hobbies should I list on my resume?

Answer: Those that are relevant and increase the value of of your application!

The rule of thumb is to only include activities that promote and reinforce the application. If you are unable to make this valid connection, do not include these activities. nine0005

• Bane activities (such as playing chess) are well suited to jobs that are technical or analytical in nature (such as IT or science jobs).
• Team sports (such as playing football) are well suited for jobs that require daily work with people (such as a job in business or marketing).

Different activities can be interpreted differently depending on the position you are applying for. For example, “playing computer games” as a hobby is unrelated to most professions and can sometimes depict you as a self-absorbed person living in your own little cyber world. nine0005

However, the same hobby can greatly boost your resume if you apply for a job as a video game developer, graphic designer, or salesperson at your local game store!

How to match your interests with the job you are applying for:

• • Review the job specification and look for clues.

For example, if an employee “should have excellent people skills,” you could mention volunteering, team sports, or social activities that develop your communication, interpersonal, and people skills. Don’t mention playing chess or jogging because it doesn’t matter. nine0005

If, on the other hand, the job description states that the person “must have outstanding technical skills,” you should mention playing chess, assembling computers, and upgrading computer networks—things that indicate you are technically competent and have analytical mind. Don’t mention social events because that would be less relevant.

• • Study of company culture.

Many companies have a “culture” in how they work and how the people in that organization behave. Google, for example, is now known for allowing employees to play games, take walks, or exercise to relieve stress or become more productive during work hours. When applying for a job at a company like Google, there’s nothing wrong with showing a bit of your fun, playful, and human side because it fits in perfectly with their company’s culture.

• • List your skills and abilities

It’s always a good idea to make a list of the skills and abilities you have and see which ones would be useful if you included them on your resume. Skills and abilities are closely related to your hobbies and interests; so you can also include them in this section.

5.

How to write a hobby in a resume

• Now let’s start writing it. nine0030
• There are thousands of hobbies and interests that people include on their resumes. Choosing the right hobbies to include will depend on a number of factors, including industry and job responsibilities/characteristics.

• • Choose hobbies that are related to work
  • 1-2 related personal interests would be ideal
  • Choose a variety of hobbies to show you are versatile

nine0047

Some additional guidelines for writing the interests section of your resume:

• • Write briefly and to the point (one paragraph, 2-3 lines maximum).
  • Be specific (for example, instead of “I enjoy reading” write “I enjoy reading non-fiction and current affairs books.”)
  • Do not list your interests – describe their sentences!

  nine0029 Be real don’t exaggerate

6. What are some good hobbies that you can list on your resume? [Examples]

Let’s get specific!

Best-selling career author Martin Yate, in his book The Ultimate CV Book (p. 35), identifies three broad categories of leisure activities to include on your resume:

• • Team sports (football, cricket, basketball, etc.)
  • Defining activities (running, swimming, cycling, climbing, etc.)
  • Brain activity (chess, reading, etc.)

However, not all of the above categories may be appropriate for your situation and the job you are applying for. Choose only those hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job and add value to your application.

Below you will find lists of good hobbies/interests to include in your resume:

10 good resume examples

• 1. Participation in local clubs, classes and groups
  2. Organization of events in the community
  3. Participation in charity
  4. Volunteering in local companies, clubs and organizations
  5. Attending events, shows and exhibitions
  6. Participation in charity events
  7. Personal blogging
  8. Be a member of social, environmental or animal rights groups
  9. Participation in campaigns
  10. Cooking for events

These interests enhance your resume because they inform the employer that you have excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills that enable you to pursue this activity. It also confirms that you are motivated and determined in what you are passionate about.

27 great hobbies to add to your resume

• 1. Follow business and financial news
  2. Reading business and financial magazines
  3. Be a member of a professional community
  4. Chess and puzzle game
  5. Individual sports activities (running, swimming, cycling, etc.)
  6. Team sports (football, cricket, basketball, tennis, etc.)
  7. Mentoring or coaching
  8. Computer assembly and repair
  9. Website design and development
  10. Setting up computer networks
  11. Chess and puzzle game
  12. Keep up with the latest developments in technology
  13. The Art of Design
  14. Freehand drawing, sketch, painting, etc.
  15. Use of computer programs for design
  16. Completion of DIY projects
  17. Photo
  18. Music playback
  19. Cooking and baking
  20. Go out and eat in restaurants
  21. Creating new dishes
  22. Watching a cooking channel or other food-related television programs (such as MasterChef).
  23. Reading (fiction and non-fiction books, magazines, etc.)
  24. Writing (blog posts, articles, poems, books, etc.)
  25. Learning a new skill
  26. Catches fish
  27. Travel

7. Things to avoid when writing a hobby section

Don’t fall prey to stereotypes

It’s best not to include anything controversial or sensitive on your resume. People are by nature very subjective, so be wise with what you reveal on your resume. For example, some recruiters may judge you negatively if you include heavy metal in your list of favorite music genres.

Do not disclose your political, religious, or athletic affiliation.

Claiming that you are an “active member of a local church” can reduce your chances of getting an interview, especially if the potential employer reading your resume is an ardent atheist. Similarly, claiming that you “have been on a number of Labor campaigns” or that you are a “big Manchester United fan” is also not a good idea. nine0005

Avoid mentioning risky or labor intensive hobbies.

It’s in the employer’s interest to keep you healthy, fit and able to work. Any leisure activity that puts your life at risk (or takes up too much of your time) will be viewed unfavorably. So please remove “regular climbing in the Himalayas” from your resume as one of your hobbies. Thank you.

Inappropriate Hobbies

Only mention personal interests if they add value to your application. What is the significance of “collecting stamps and coins” as a hobby for a candidate for the position of a logistics engineer? Answer: no. However, stamp collecting would be a very valuable hobby that should be mentioned when applying for a job as a stamp appraiser. nine0005

Senior CV

Managers, supervisors and directors should remove this section from their resumes entirely. Their personal interests should be evident from their achievements and work experience.

Including too many hobbies

Adding too many hobbies to your resume fills up valuable space that could be used for more important information.

At this stage, a potential employer is likely to ask: “God, when will this person have any time to work?!”

Lying

Remember that anything you list on your resume, including your personal interests, can be asked and scrutinized during the interview stage. Spare yourself the embarrassment and don’t lie about your hobbies.

Strange interests

Performing sorcery and dissecting frogs for fun shouldn’t be anyone’s hobby, let alone mention it on your professional resume!

Yes, believe it or not, people actually used these hobbies on their resumes…

Conclusions

Adding a list of hobbies and interests to your resume is a great way to improve your resume and increase your chances of getting interviewed.