Do you mention your hobbies on a resume? If not, it may just be an unnecesary mistake and a big opportunity lost.
Learn why is it so and how to list your hobbies on resume impressively!
Your hobbies make your life interesting and engaging. They make your life warm and fun-filled. But should you include your hobbies on resume?
It may seem unnecessary to you at times. You want to keep your resume crisp and may be wondering if it should be 1 page or 2 pages in length! Also, including them doesn’t necessarily prove that you are qualified for the job. This is why many simply avoid putting their hobbies in resumes.
But when utilized correctly, listing hobbies and your interests on your resume can add a personal touch that could help you stand out among the competition. But do you know the pros and cons of adding hobbies to your resume? Have you wondered about the do’s and don’t while doing it?
Taking the time to thoughtfully curate your selection of hobbies on resume, can turn an otherwise bland or generic resume into something with added depth.
You never know if a subtle reference to your time spent as a volunteer for animal welfare may be the thing that catches a hiring manager’s eye and gets you to the next step! Showing what drives and inspires you beyond work experience really speaks volumes.
In this article, let’s understand about everything that is key to adding your hobbies on a resume.
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What are Hobbies? What can you consider as a hobby?
This may make you yawn! But most us are not even aware about what are hobbies and what are interests!
So lets try to define what you can call as a hobby.
Hobbies are activities that you engage in for enjoyment and leisure mostly in your “spare time”! They give you a break from the daily grind, helping you to relax and escape the daily life’s rut.
Hobbies can be anything someone enjoys, such as painting, photography, bird watching, playing video games, gardening, or even collecting things like stamps or coins. People can also engage in more physically challenging hobbies, such as hiking or running.
You may be wondering if focusing on such personal interests outside the work is related to career success in any way? But, we live in a time when employers have become much more discerning about an individual’s character and lifestyle.
Your hobbies can help put you in the spotlight and make your resume stand out. Employers look beyond resumes; they also consider your unique personality traits that come from your enthusiasm for certain activities outside of work.
For example, Google is renowned for hiring employees who bring intellectual curiosity, creativity and playfulness to the workplace. If you want to be noticed by them, showcase these qualities through your hobbies when creating a resume.
In addition, showing potential recruiters that you can offer more than just professional experience could be the edge that gets you hired.
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What do Your Hobbies Say About You?
So, let’s carefully focus on what your hobbies tell others about you!
1. Your hobbies say a lot about your personality
If you enjoy creative activities, such as painting or writing, it shows that you are imaginative and have an eye for detail.
If you enjoy physical activities, such as hiking or playing sports, it shows that you are active and enjoy being outdoors.
And if you enjoy intellectual pursuits, such as reading or playing chess, it shows that you are intelligent and like to challenge yourself.
They are deeply linked to your core persona!
2. Your hobbies can also reveal your values
For example, volunteering for a local animal shelter or rescue group shows that you care about animals and their welfare.
Likewise, if you participate in a political campaign or donate to a candidate, it shows that you are interested in the political process and care about the world around you.
3. Your hobbies can also show your skills to the employers
For example, if you are a band or orchestra member, it shows that you have creative skills related to music.
If you are a member of a book club or literary society, it shows that you have excellent reading and comprehension skills.
And if you participate in any competitive sport, it shows that you are competitive and have the skills to handle pressure.
4. Your hobbies can also indicate your level of commitment.
For example, if you have been playing the same sport for years or participating in the same activity for years, it shows you are dedicated and committed to something.
This is a valuable quality for employers as it indicates that you are likely to be just as dedicated and committed to your job.
5. Your hobbies can also tell employers how well-rounded you are
If your hobbies include a wide variety of activities, it shows that you are well-rounded and have diverse interests.
This is another valuable quality for employers as they want to see that you are not one-dimensional and can engage in different activities both inside and outside of work.
6. Your hobbies can prove that you’re a valuable asset to the team.
Employers want to hire candidates who contribute more than merely their skills and credentials. Companies seek out those who are a good fit and can bring something new to the team. That’s why your hobbies can play an integral role in determining whether or not you’ll be a good addition to the company.
If you have often served as a mentor in the past time, this shows that you understand the value of guidance and collaboration. Or if you have experience leading a volunteer effort, this could point to effective management skills and quick problem-solving tactics — necessary qualities for any team endeavor.
So, use your hobbies as evidence that you will be an asset and a boon to the company rather than just another employee.
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Why Adding Hobbies on a Resume is important?
Adding hobbies on a resume can be important for several reasons. We may have touched on few of them before. But lets carefully dive deeper.
In many ways this will help you curate your hobbies on resume before you send it to the recruiters.
10 Reasons Why Including Your Hobbies on Resume is Necessary
- Hobbies often show many things about you that may not be mentioned or clearly shown on your resume. This can help the employer to get a sense of the candidate’s individuality and how they might fit in with the company culture.
- Your hobbies can also demonstrate strengths and skills that are relevant to the job. For example, if a candidate plays in a sports team, it can demonstrate leadership and teamwork abilities. If a candidate enjoys photography, it may show attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to use technology.
- They bring out your differentiation from other applicants. Why you are different from other applicants is key for you getting shortlisted and getting more interview calls. It can give the employer a way to remember the candidate and make their resume more memorable.
- What are your hobbies? is a regular interview question, especially for the freshers. Once you are well aware about your hobbies and mention them in your resume, it naturally prepares you for this important question.
- Hobbies on resume can show your natural alignment for the role offered. This may mean that orienting and skill-building for that job may be easier for you once hired.
- Those who pursue any hobby are natural enthusiasts! It indicates the initiative in you to explore things on your own. This is something that often impresses employers!
- Pursuing any hobby demands a significant amount of time and effort from you. Especially if you have displayed serious skills in your area of interest by doing things such as playing in a musical band, it will demonstrate your commitment and dedication to something that you love doing by your own.
- Hobbies are a showcase of your dynamism. It shows your ability to apply and explore in different directions at once. So including hobbies from different categories, such as sports, arts, and volunteer work can demonstrate a candidate’s diverse interests and ability to balance different activities.
- Modern careers are about your ability to adapt quickly! Hobbies that involve learning new skills, such as learning a new language, can demonstrate a candidate’s adaptability and willingness to learn new things.
- Your hobbies may show your interests aligning with the company’s mission or culture. Most good companies are deeply driven by their mission and culture. So your natural alignment with them is a big plus! For example, if the company has a mission related to the environment, and you enjoy gardening, that may show that you align well with the company’s mission.
How to List Hobbies on a Resume?
You will generally start by carefully listing your qualification and experience on your resume. Then you will focus on showcasing your strengths that are relevant to the job. Then comes highlighting your achievements in the resume and adding a punchy summary.
The final touch is to give a glimpse of your personality by listing your hobbies. Before adding any hobbies, consider which ones would be useful and whether they demonstrate skills or qualities that may help you secure the job.
Include no more than five of them and for each hobby listed, provide a short description of how it is relevant or helps to complement the information already in your document.
This could be anything from being an active member of a local sports team – showing team spirit and collaboration – or having a blog showcasing creativity and technical skills. Listing hobbies can put a bit of color into your resume and captivate potential employers.
7 Steps to Follow when Listing your Hobbies on Resume
- Identify which hobbies and interests are relevant to the job you are applying for. Consider what the employer is looking for in a candidate and your strengths and weaknesses when making this decision.
- Choose one or two of your most impressive hobbies that demonstrate qualities employers look for, such as leadership, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Briefly explain how each hobby contributes to your qualifications for the job. For example, if you are a soccer player, you could mention that being part of a team has taught you how to work well with others and remain organized under pressure.
- Add a few punchy sentences that showcase your enthusiasm for the hobby or interest. This will show employers that you are passionate about what you do and take it seriously.
- If possible, provide concrete examples of how your hobbies or interests have helped you in the workplace. For instance, if you enjoy photography, explain how this has improved your eye for detail, which is an important skill for many jobs.
- Make sure to list your hobbies in a separate section on the resume rather than briefly mentioning them within other sections. This will make it easier for employers to identify the qualities you bring to their organization quickly.
- Finally, focus on showing results. It will highlight your focus on completing things at hand and the mastery you may have achieved in your area of interest.
With these steps, you should be able to highlight your hobbies and interests effectively. Just ensure that you avoid making the most common mistakes that most candidates commit when crafting their resumes!
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Which Hobbies are Better Left Off Your Resume?
We know it makes sense to list your hobbies on your resume. After all, the general thinking goes like this – Employers want to know about your personality and interests outside of work, so the more the better! Right?
Well, this may be your worst mistake!
That’s because if you list too many hobbies, you might come off as being unfocused and not taking your job search seriously. Or worse: some hobbies can give a negative impression and make hiring managers think twice before bringing you on board.
So be discerning — only share relevant details from leisure activities that will add to your professional narrative while passing over past miscellaneous times that don’t merit space on their busy desk.
Hobbies that should NOT be mentioned on a Resume!
- Membership in political organizations
- Excessive travel without job-related purpose
- Extraordinary religious involvement
- Highly personal hobbies such as collecting stamps or playing video games -Organizing special events for family and friends
- Engaging in risky activities such as skydiving or bungee jumping
- Participation in highly controversial activities or organizations
- Volunteer activities that are not job-related -Blogging about personal opinions and beliefs.
- Any activity that is illegal or could be seen as inappropriate. In addition, some interests may not be relevant to the job you’re applying for and can give the impression that you’re using your resume to fill space.
- Hobbies that are irrelevant. For instance, listing activities such as playing the guitar or painting would be great if you’re applying for a musician or artist job. But not so much if you’re applying for an accounting position. Be sure to tailor your interests and hobbies to match the job description.
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32 Examples of Interesting Hobbies to put on a Resume
- Playing a Musical Instrument: Shows dedication and creativity and can demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt quickly.
- Writing: Demonstrates good communication skills and an ability to express ideas clearly and concisely. It can also highlight organizational abilities.
- Cooking: Illustrates problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to think creatively in a challenging environment.
- Gardening: Highlights an individual’s patience and commitment to seeing projects through to completion. It can also show organizational abilities and an appreciation for the natural world.
- Building Models: Demonstrates problem-solving skills, creativity, and technical aptitude.
- Running: Shows dedication to physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
- Reading: Demonstrates an interest in lifelong learning, good communication skills, and critical thinking ability.
- Volunteering: Highlights a commitment to helping others and contributing to the community.
- Painting/Drawing: Illustrates creativity and attention to detail. Can also demonstrate problem-solving skills.
- Playing Sports: Highlights teamwork, collaboration skills, physical fitness, and dedication.
- Public Speaking: Demonstrates confidence in one’s ideas and an ability to communicate effectively with others.
- Birdwatching/Nature Photography: Shows a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for nature.
- Climbing/Mountaineering: Demonstrates physical strength, resilience, and an adventurous spirit.
- Cycling: Highlights commitment to physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle while demonstrating an interest in exploring new places and seeing things from different perspectives.
- Pottery Making: Illustrates creativity, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills when working with delicate materials.
- Woodworking: Shows technical aptitude and a commitment to completing projects with precision.
- Playing Chess: Demonstrates an ability to think strategically and plan, as well as problem-solving skills.
- Learning a Language: Highlights the willingness to take on new challenges and embrace learning opportunities.
- Collecting Stamps/Coins: Can demonstrate attention to detail and organizational abilities when organizing collections of small objects or items that may have significant value over time.
- Baking: Illustrates attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to work with delicate materials in challenging environments.
- Sewing/Knitting/Crocheting: Shows dedication and creativity, as well as an understanding of basic math and measurement principles.
- Spending Time with Family/Friends: Demonstrates understanding of the importance of relationships and spending quality time with others.
- Astronomy: Highlights an interest in science and a curiosity about the universe around us.
- Photography: Can demonstrate creativity, an eye for detail, and technical aptitude when using camera equipment or manipulating images in post-processing software programs.
- Scrapbooking: Illustrates organizational abilities and attention to detail when creating scrapbooks or other keepsake items.
- Yoga/Meditation: Shows a commitment to physical fitness and mental well-being through relaxation techniques or spiritual pursuits.
- Volunteering: Showcases a commitment to helping others and contributing positively to the community.
- Hiking/Camping: Demonstrates an appreciation for nature, physical fitness, and resilience in challenging environments.
- Podcasting: Demonstrates an interest in digital media and communication and an ability to think critically and share ideas with others.
- Making music: Demonstrates creativity, an understanding of musical theory, and the ability to create harmony.
- Playing video games: Shows problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and dedication to mastering technical systems.
- Tracking finances: Demonstrates organizational skills when dealing with money matters, as well as time management and the ability to prioritize tasks related to budgeting and saving.
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So, which hobbies on your resume will you choose?
Your hobbies and interests can give your resume personality and set you apart from other job seekers. Be strategic when you select Hobbies for your resume, choosing those that reflect skills employers value.
For example, if an employer emphasizes teamwork, mention a team sport you play or highlight relevant volunteer work. With the right selection of Hobbies for your resume, prospective employers will see how your unique passions can benefit their organization and take notice of your application.
So choose wisely, and don’t be afraid to have some fun with it!
3 Articles that will help you power up your Resume further
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3. 31 Examples of About Me in Resume to Unlock your imagination