Hobbies & Interests to Put on a Resume

Key highlights

• Carefully choosing hobbies and interests for your resume can help you stand out as a well-rounded candidate, especially if you have limited work experience.
• The best hobbies and interests to include are those relevant to the job you’re applying for and highlight your skills.
• Volunteering, writing, blogging, learning languages, photography, traveling, and sports are some of the best hobbies and interests to put on your resume, as they’re often associated with transferable skills.
• When listing your hobbies and interests, be specific, and avoid including anything controversial or irrelevant.
• Create a separate section titled “Hobbies and Interests” and place it at the bottom of your resume, after sections like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”

Having a resume rich in work experience and education is very important for getting a hiring manager’s attention. Your work history and skills matter a lot, but adding hobbies and interests can show more about who you are. It can also help show if you fit well with the company culture.

Making a thoughtful “interests section” on your resume with interesting activities can leave a strong impression on potential employers as you look for a job.

Essential hobbies and interests to include on your resume

Choosing the right hobbies and interests for your resume can be hard. You need to think about the skills you want to show and the impression you want to leave on the hiring manager. Your hobbies should match your professional experience and skills. This helps to show you are a well-rounded candidate.

Pick activities that show skills that can transfer to the job you want. For example, if the job needs teamwork, you might add hobbies like playing sports or volunteering.

1. Volunteering and community service

Volunteering and community service look great on a resume. These activities show you care about your community and are willing to help, which makes a good impression on employers. Plus, doing volunteer work often helps you develop teamwork, organizational skills, and leadership. These are all important qualities for a good employee.

Whether you help out at a local charity or join community events, you should share your community service experience. It can help you stand out as a candidate. Employers appreciate people who are socially responsible and want to make a real difference, not just in their jobs but in the community too.

2. Blogging or writing

If you enjoy creative writing or blogging, you should add these to your resume. These hobbies show that you have good communication skills, creativity, and can organize your thoughts well. Blogging especially shows that you take the initiative and know how to use digital platforms. These skills are important today.

Make sure to include examples of your writing, like a personal blog or articles you have published. Showing your writing through a portfolio or links to your work can really impress potential employers and show your passion for writing.

3. Sports and physical fitness

Including sports and fitness in your “interests section” can show your dedication and teamwork skills. It can also highlight your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Employers see people who focus on fitness as disciplined and energetic. They believe these individuals can handle pressure well.

Whether you join team sports like basketball or soccer, or do individual activities like running or yoga, showing your commitment to fitness is important. It proves you take care of yourself, which is a great quality in any job.

4. Traveling and cultural exploration

Listing hobbies such as international travel and exploring new cultures on your resume can show your ability to adjust, your curiosity, and your open-mindedness. These qualities are important in today’s globalized world.

If you mention specific places you have visited or unique cultural experiences you have had, it can help you connect with the hiring manager. It shows that you are ready to embrace new and diverse surroundings. This is especially useful for jobs that involve dealing with different cultures or working in international business.

5. Learning new languages

Including “learning new languages” in your “interests section” shows that you are committed to growing as a person and exploring different cultures. It also shows that you have valuable interpersonal skills. Employers see the value of foreign languages in the global marketplace today.

Being able to speak two or more languages can make you an important part of a company. This is especially true if the job includes talking internationally or dealing with business overseas. You can make your application stronger by showing your language skills through certifications or noting your fluency levels. This will show your commitment to improving your communication abilities.

6. Photography and videography

Photography and videography are great hobbies that mix creativity with technical skills. These hobbies show your attention to detail and talent for telling stories with images. Listing them can highlight your artistic side and how well you share information.

Adding links to your online photography or videography portfolio will boost your application. This lets potential employers view your work directly. This is especially important for jobs in media, marketing, or design, where visual communication is key.

7. Playing musical instruments

Playing a musical instrument takes hard work, practice, and a basic knowledge of music. Adding this personal interest to your resume can show your dedication and ability to learn new skills.

In addition, playing music usually includes working together with others, especially in a band or orchestra. This part of music can highlight your teamwork and communication skills. It shows you can work with people to reach a shared goal.

8. Chess and strategy games

Hobbies such as chess and strategy games show that you have good problem-solving skills. They also highlight your ability to think strategically and analyze situations. These interests display your skill in critical thinking, planning, and choosing the best options before making choices.

Many jobs value these skills, especially those that require analysis, planning, and strategic choices. Sharing your love for these games can show how you think ahead and create successful strategies.

9. Cooking and baking

Including hobbies like cooking and baking on your resume might surprise you, but they can show important qualities. These hobbies demonstrate creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions. All of these traits matter in many jobs.

Cooking and baking need exact measurements, proper timing, and a nice sense of flavor. These skills fit well in jobs that require accuracy, good organization, and a step-by-step way of working.

10. Graphic design and digital art

Including graphic design and digital art in your interests section can show off your creative skills. It also highlights your technical skills and knowledge of how to communicate visually.

These interests prove that you can use design software to make attractive graphics, logos, and other digital items. Employers like people who can see what looks good and who can communicate well through visuals.

How to effectively present hobbies & interests on a resume

Showing your hobbies and interests well is important. You want to show who you are while keeping a professional tone. Creating a special section for your interests keeps your resume organized. This makes it easier for recruiters to find your qualifications.

Put the “Hobbies and Interests” section after the main parts of your resume. These parts include “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” This way, it supports your qualifications without taking away from your professional achievements.

Tailoring your hobbies to the job description

One important part of adding hobbies and interests to your resume is making sure they relate to the job you want. Before you change your resume, read the job posting carefully. Look closely at the skills, qualifications, and the company culture mentioned.

Find hobbies and interests that match what the job requires. For instance, if you’re applying for a job needing teamwork, mention hobbies like playing team sports or being involved in community activities. If the job needs creativity and problem-solving, you could include hobbies like playing a musical instrument or playing strategy games. Using a resume builder tool can help you find keywords that match and make your resume fit the job better.

Balancing between professional and personal interests

It is nice to share your hobbies, but it’s important to keep a good balance between your work achievements and personal life. You should not overload your resume with too many personal interests. This is true, especially for hobbies that do not relate to the job. The goal is to show a little of your personality and how your interests fit with your work skills.

Try to include three to five good examples of hobbies and skills that match your job qualifications. Having too many can make your resume look messy and take attention away from your main achievements.

The impact of hobbies & interests on your professional image

Adding hobbies and interests to your resume can really change how potential employers see you. These activities show you are a well-rounded person, which can make you stand out from others with similar work experience. They can also help start conversations in job interviews. This allows you to show off your personality and excitement for the job.

Enhancing soft skills through hobbies

Many hobbies and interests can help you build important soft skills. Interpersonal skills, like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management, are key to doing well in any job.

For instance, joining team sports can improve your communication skills and teamwork abilities. It also helps develop leadership skills. On the other hand, volunteering can grow your empathy, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Knowing which hobbies help you gain certain soft skills can help you make your interests section stand out.

Demonstrating teamwork and leadership qualities

Teamwork and leadership skills are important traits in any job. Showing these skills through your hobbies can prove what you can do outside of work.

Talk about your experiences in sports teams, community groups, or volunteer activities. Mention times when you worked together with others, took charge, or helped reach a common goal. Giving clear examples of what you did and the good results from working as a team can make your points even stronger.

Common mistakes to avoid when listing hobbies & interests

Including hobbies and interests on your resume can help you stand out. However, it’s important to avoid some common mistakes that could hurt your chances.

One big mistake is listing hobbies that are too generic. These do not show who you are or what skills you have.

Another issue is adding hobbies that might seem unprofessional or controversial. Being aware of these issues can help make sure your hobbies create a good impression instead of a bad one.

Including overly common or vague hobbies

Including common hobbies like “reading,” “watching movies,” or “listening to music” does not help your application. These hobbies are so common that they don’t show much about who you are or what skills you have.

Instead of using these general terms, choose specific descriptions that show your passion and what makes your hobbies special. For example, instead of just “reading,” say you are an “avid reader of historical fiction,” or instead of “watching movies,” you could say you are a “film enthusiast passionate about documentaries.”

Sharing potentially divisive interests

When choosing hobbies to share, you should think about the ones that might create disagreements. Some hobbies could scare off the hiring manager or not fit well with the company culture.

Here are some examples of hobbies or interests that might be seen as controversial: political views, religious beliefs, or activities that have strong opinions linked to them. It’s usually best to avoid these topics to keep a neutral and professional image during the job application process.

Conclusion

Including hobbies and interests on your resume can help you be noticed by potential employers. These hobbies give a peek into your personality and show soft skills that are important. Make sure to change your hobbies to match the job description. It is good to have a mix of professional and personal interests. Avoid putting common or vague hobbies.

Be careful with hobbies that might divide opinions. When you show your hobbies in the right way, you can improve your professional image and show you have teamwork skills and leadership. Adding the right hobbies can help you create a strong professional profile that is more than just work experience.

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