Before we get into what hobbies and interests to add to your resume, let’s first answer the question “Should you include them?” Your job title and company are the most important factors in deciding whether or not you should include an interest section on your resume. Technology companies will be more interested in your potential cultural fit. Your hobbies are a great way to show this on your resume. This article will show you how to include hobbies and interests on your resume.

It is becoming more popular to include personal interests in a resume. Do you need to do it?

A resume is a summary of your career that informs future employers of your professional suitability. Although personal interests are not included in the traditional definition of a resume, employers increasingly value cultural fit. This makes it more important to showcase your personality when you’re looking for work.

Your resume should include your hobbies, but only if they are relevant to the job. To enhance their career stories, the best candidates are creative in how they position their hobbies.

A few sentences about your interests can show that you are more than your work personality. People want to work with interesting people, as the lines between work and life blur.

A resume that reflects your interests can help you build a relationship with the interviewer. You may feel more comfortable revealing details about your personal life. This is the perfect scenario, you also want to discover what makes them tick.

It is difficult to include your interests in a resume. Consider:

• For professionals, it is important to mention your interests in your resume.
• What is the best way to include your interests in a resume?
• These are the most popular hobbies and their relevance
• Is there a particular interest you should not include?

This is a decision worth making. Your application can be damaged if you include irrelevant or unrelated interests. Let’s explore.

Including your interests in your resume.

Even if you’re a young professional with little work experience, expressing your interests can help you to explain why you are interested in the job and give the hiring manager an idea of who you are. While it is expected to include two to three lines of personal interest in your application, you should still mention why they are relevant to the job.

For senior applicants, the decision to include interest is more difficult. Many careers require skills that can be acquired outside the workplace. There is no reason to exclude hobbies that are truly beneficial to your work performance.

The interests section should be the first to be deleted if you feel that there is not enough space on your resume. Even the header of a section can take up valuable space. If you have more to share, it is important to prioritize your work experience. Remember that interviewers will most likely allow you to talk about your interests.

Adding your interests to your resume

There are many ground rules for including interests on a resume.

Learn about the requirements for the job. Make sure you fully understand the details of the position. It is a great way to show that you understand what you are doing.

Find interests that are in line with your job responsibilities. Be creative about how you align your hobbies and the job. You will have to read many resumes before the hiring manager can make the connection. Make sure you explain why you are interested in the job.

Your interests can be included in the following places: You might not have enough space to include an interest/hobbies section in a two-page resume. However, you can slip your interests into bullet points or paragraphs that revolve around your work experience. It won’t look out of place if it is in line with your point.

Use bullets to describe your interest. Listing “horticulture” or “swimming,” as a personal passion, will not be accepted. Include a short description of your interest that is relevant to the job to spark the imagination of the hiring manager. This doesn’t have to be written in complete sentences. If possible, include context and quantify with details.

Swimming. The state u23 200m backstroke title was won. My club has 100+ juniors.

Be truthful. You never can tell when you will meet someone who knows more about your hobby and interests than you. Don’t exaggerate your involvement or you might find yourself in embarrassing situations that could ruin your chances of landing the job. Honesty is the best policy when searching for a job.

Do you want to call them hobbies? If you have a section, it is best to use “interests”. “Hobbies,” which have an amateur connotation, restrict you from activities you do regularly. You should only include interests that you are well informed about and have a long-standing history.

Let’s now get into the details of what interests might be worth including and why.

Sports

There are many lessons you can learn from sports activities in the workplace. You can be a part of a team, or you can focus on your glory. The drive to win and the loss are both sides of the same coin.

Baseball. Everybody has a different role on any team. The team will be less strong if one person fails to do their job. The most fundamental form of collective responsibility is one that involves all members.

Swimming. Swimming requires hours of preparation and dedication. You can take time for other things in your life, such as thinking about endurance sports.

Skydiving. Extreme sports are for people who take risks and don’t mind pushing their limits. This is perfect if you’re trying new things in an innovative industry.

Yoga. Any activity that requires you to look within and clear your mind of all distractions should be a benefit. Yoga practitioners are clear-headed decision-makers.

Fitness. It is important to have a routine. You will sometimes not want to go to the gym. But, you can overcome your laziness.

Outdoor pursuits

You will need to be able to respond to the unpredictable world outside. Outdoor activity centers are a popular location for company away days. Many lessons can be learned from outdoor adventures.

Fishing. Patience is a key requirement for many roles. You must be confident when you get the chance that you have been waiting for. You may never get another chance.

Orienteering. Many corporate environments have a problem with deciding on and agreeing on a way forward. Orienteering helps to improve communication skills and teamwork.

Horticulture. It takes visionary planning and attention to detail to prepare the ground for a flower that will only bloom for a few weeks.

Camping. It is extremely good for your mental well-being to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the great outdoors.

Music

You can put the dedication and creativity gained from learning a musical instrument, or singing in a choir, to good use at work. Learning a new skill at work is a similar journey. Practice makes perfect.

Songwriting. Writing an email requires that you fill in a blank with something meaningful. Songwriters know how to make people feel certain things.

Singing/gigging. This skill will be useful at work. Confidently communicate in meetings and presentations.

Learning an instrument. Mastering an instrument is a never-ending process. Perfection is not a limit. There’s always a harder piece of the puzzle that you don’t know how to master.

Volunteering

Every hiring manager would like to find a person who is selfless and willing to help others even if it’s not in their job description. A person who is interested in volunteering will naturally be inclined to make a positive difference for those around him.

Charitable work. Your character will be revealed by the charity you choose. You may even be able to make a connection with a hiring manager. You never know what you might find.

Environmental activism. It is a controversial topic that some people find confusing, so be sure to include information about your environmental activities. Include it if it’s a passion.

Be a mentor. Mentoring outside of the workplace can be a great source of positive energy. You will learn a lot about people management and influencing.

Volunteer work. Helping others is an important trait for a team member. As long as you are aware of your limits, it’s possible to be a good team player. Sometimes, you have to be selfish and keep your eyes on the task at hand.

Creativity

Many creative problems can be solved outside the office. Are you able to solve a problem laterally while you’re in the shower? Your brain’s right side can see things differently through creative interests.

Drawing/painting. Are we overlooking the observational skills and creativity of the perceptive artist?

Photography. Marketing and sales roles require an appreciation of visuals’ ability to convey a message. A picture is worth a thousand.

Graphic design. Many careers rely on graphic design skills as a result of the increasing use of online business (and eventually, into the Metaverse).

Blog. Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts. You can be a champion for employee advocacy as companies increasingly rely upon it.

Poetry. Brevity is the core of any successful team. Speak what you feel. Be sure everyone understands it. Keep moving. Many workplaces could use more succinct poets.

Technology

Nobody wants to hire someone who is a technophobe and constantly asks for help from colleagues in Excel. You may find that sharing an interest in technology makes you the best person to ask if such questions arise.

Programming. Many non-technical fields will soon require an understanding of programming languages and coding. Digital is the future. Are you ready for the digital future?

Trading. Trading in stocks and crypto requires a high level of risk tolerance, which is not often tested in a job. You will learn critical thinking skills when you invest your own money.

Artificial intelligence. You will likely have many other new perspectives to add to the workplace.

Online activity

Although not all industries are dependent on online presence, many functions rely heavily on it. Employees with strong social media skills are required for sales, marketing, PR, and human resources as well as recruiting.

Social media. People who have built an online community can bring many transferable skills to employers.

Esports. Split second decisions in a virtual setting (alongside a team). This mirrors many jobs. Although your job may not be one of these, your brain will know the difference.

Vlogging. Building a YouTube audience or other similar platforms requires creativity and courage to share your message with the world.

Entertainment

It has been a highly valued skill in modern times to be able to capture a crowd. It is an ability that can keep Zoom listeners continuously engaged and alert, which should not be underestimated. It is a superpower to entertain a crowd.

Acting. Although we try to be authentic at work, there will come a time when acting skills are necessary. It is essential to be able to play a role to keep unity.

Humor. If your God-given talent is to make people laugh, it will be easier to make friends and influence others. In interviews, humor is also a good option.

Learn to dance. You will need to concentrate and prepare physically for a routine. Sometimes, you only have one chance to make an impact. Dancers dance under pressure.

Home Hobbies

Although many hobbies may seem mundane and boring, they can still provide a fascinating insight into your personality. You never know when an employer might need someone who speaks the language.

Learning a foreign language is a serious hobby. A great memory is essential, as well as an organized mind. You must piece together the puzzle of language.

Home improvements. Project Management is a common skill in the workplace. Many of the same skills are required to ensure that a home renovation project runs smoothly.

Mindfulness. Slowing your mind and allowing yourself to be mindful allows for the chaos of all worldly thoughts to settle down. A calm, empty mindset is the best way to achieve success.

What interests should you stay clear of?

If you tell your employer about your late-night parkour runs across the city, your judgment might be questioned.

Avoid any contact with politics or religion. Even environmental activities can cause polarization, as we have already mentioned. Avoid any activity that could cause an argument.

Avoid complicated activities that need to be explained. It is important to keep it simple so that your employer can understand your impact on the workplace of your hobby.

CONCLUSION

There are likely many interests you have that could be useful to include on your resume. You should be selective about what you choose and creative in the way that you present them. If you need help with your resume, reach out to one of our experts so we can enhance and add all necessary interests and hobbies to your resume.