While hobbies may not seem the most important thing to include in a job application or interview, they can be quite helpful in demonstrating your skills and abilities.
When it comes to hobbies for a resume, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Only include hobbies or interests relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Try to select hobbies or interests that demonstrate skills that would be useful in the position.
- Don’t go overboard; a few hobbies or interests listed on your resume are enough.
How Hobbies Can Enhance Your Resume’s Appeal
When scanning resumes, employers always look for creative and innovative ways for candidates to stand out from the rest. Your hobbies and interests section is the perfect place to do just that.
Including hobbies on your resume that highlight your unique skills and abilities can give potential employers a sense of the true you and what kind of value you could bring to their company.
In addition to adding an element of personality to your resume, including hobbies can also be a great way to demonstrate transferable skills that can be relevant to the job you’re applying for.
For example, if you’re applying for a job that requires attention to detail, hobbies such as knitting or gardening can be an excellent way to show off your precision and focus.
The Importance Of Hobbies On A Resume
While hobbies and leisure interests will not be the only thing listed on your resume, they serve to help you stand out from other candidates.
Some hobbies are better suited than others to demonstrate the kinds of skills that employers value.
Including hobbies on your resume can help fill any gaps in your employment history. For example, if you took time to live abroad for a year, listing hobbies such as photography or blogging can show that you were still active and demonstrate some of the skills you developed. However, if you’re unsure whether to include hobbies on your resume, consider leaving them off.
Below is a hobbies categorization list to help define your hobby category and the skill set it will potentially reflect on your resume.
- Creative hobbies: Creative hobbies like photography, writing, art, and design can be great ways to show you are creative and can think outside the box.
- Organizational hobbies: Hobbies such as gardening, event planning, and scrapbooking demonstrate your ability to stay organized and pay attention to detail.
- Active hobbies: If you’re looking to show employers that you’re an active and energetic person, hobbies such as hiking, skiing, or rock climbing can be a great way to do so.
- Leadership hobbies: Hobbies such as coaching, mentoring, or leading a club or team can demonstrate your ability to take charge and be a leader.
- Service-oriented hobbies: If you’re interested in showing off your commitment to helping others, hobbies such as volunteering, tutoring, or participating in fundraising activities can be beneficial.
- Analytical hobbies: Do you like solving puzzles or crunching numbers? If so, hobbies such as Sudoku, chess, or competitive gaming can be a great way to show off your analytical skills.
- Technical hobbies: If you’re applying for a job that requires technical skills, hobbies such as coding, web development, or graphic design can help demonstrate your abilities.
- Communication hobbies: Are you a strong writer or public speaker? If so, hobbies such as blogging, theater, or debate can help show your communication skills.
- Research hobbies: If you’re interested in showing employers that you’re skilled in conducting research, hobbies such as genealogy or archaeology can be beneficial.
- Outdoor hobbies: Outdoor hobbies such as camping, fishing, or bird watching can be a great way to show that you’re comfortable working in diverse environments.
Common Questions And Answers For Choosing The Best Hobbies For Your Resume
1. What hobbies should I include on my resume?
There is no – do this – don’t do this answer to this question as every situation is different. However, the overall guiding principle is to include hobbies on your resume if they are relevant to the job you are applying for or if they demonstrate skills that would benefit the role.
2. Are hobbies required on a resume?
While some believe that hobbies can give employers a well-rounded view of an applicant, others think they’re unnecessary and can even clutter up a resume. Therefore, if you decide to include hobbies on your resume, include those pursuits that add value to your application.
3. What are the worst hobbies for a resume?
While there is no surefire list of hobbies to avoid putting on a resume, there are a few that you might want to stay away from. Unfortunately, these include hobbies such as high-risk activities that could raise red flags for employers.
Additionally, hobbies that could be considered controversial or polarizing, such as politics or religion, must be considered before being placed on your resume.
Use your best judgment when deciding which hobbies to include on your resume. If you are unsure whether to include a particular hobby, it’s probably best to leave it off.
Once you have decided which leisure pursuits to include on your resume, review them and only include relevant ones that add value to your application.
4. My hobbies are not in fashion; do I add them to my resume?
When deciding which hobbies to include on your resume, always keep relevancy in mind. Only have those hobbies that directly relate to the job you are applying for or demonstrate skills that would benefit the role.
How to Choose Which Hobby Pays Off the Most on Your Resume
No matter how great leisure pursuits may look on a resume, there is always the potential for them to backfire.
If an interviewer gets the sense that you’re trying too hard to impress or that your hobbies are simply a way to make up for lack of experience, it can reflect poorly on you. To avoid this, include hobbies that are your genuine interests and that you feel comfortable discussing in an interview.
Include genuine leisure pursuits – not made up ones that make you look good.
Additionally, be prepared to talk about how your hobbies have helped you develop skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. By doing so, you’ll be able to show employers that your hobbies are more than just hobbies; they’re valuable assets to who you are and can help you succeed in the workplace.
Quality is more important than quantity. You don’t need to include every hobby you’ve ever had on your resume. Instead, focus on choosing a few hobbies that genuinely reflect who you are and what you can bring to the table as an employee.
11 Best Hobbies And Interests For A Resume
A few hobbies will almost always help you get hired when included on a resume. These hobbies are:
1. Sports
Participation in sports shows you are competitive, determined, and passionate. It also demonstrates teamwork skills.
Hobbies examples=golf, basketball, hockey
2. Music
Playing an instrument or singing showcases your creative side and can indicate that you work well in a team.
Hobbies examples=flute, guitar, piano
3. Art
Like music, art demonstrates creativity and teamwork skills.
Hobbies examples=painting, drawing, acrylic pouring
4. Volunteering
Volunteering shows that you are altruistic and have a strong sense of community. It also demonstrates leadership skills.
Hobbies examples=animal shelter, knitting, cooking
5. Fundraising
Raising funds indicates that you are persuasive and have good marketing skills.
Hobbies examples=brochure creation, yard sale, scavenger hunt
6. Event planning
The ability to plan an event shows that you are organized, detail-oriented, and have good project management skills.
Hobbies examples=family gatherings, weddings, vacations
7. Public speaking
The ability to speak in public reflects that you are confident and have excellent communication skills.
Hobbies examples=debating club, conferences, teaching a course
8. Writing
Writing showcases your communication and analytical skills.
Hobbies examples=poetry contests, blogs, articles
9. Computer programming
Computer programming demonstrates your problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box.
Hobbies examples=teaching code, writing code, learning code
10. Leadership Roles
Leadership roles show your ability to lead and be a part of a team to reach a goal.
Hobbies examples=sports coach, scouts leader
11. Creative Pursuits
Creative pursuits are ways to express who you are daily.
Hobbies examples=woodworking, travel, hiking
Final Thoughts
In today’s competitive job market, hobbies can play an important role in helping you stand out from the crowd. While hobbies should never replace experience or qualifications, they can be a great way to show employers that you’re a well-rounded individual with various interests and skills.
If you are looking to include more leisure pursuits in your life see our guide Why Leisure Is Important In People’s Lives? or take the survey Am I Satisfied With My Leisure Quiz to see where you are at.
