Last Updated on October 24, 2023 by Milton Campbell

Are you looking to spice up your resume with something that sets you apart from the crowd in 2023? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We know that crafting a perfect resume can be a challenge, but fear not, because today we’re diving into the exciting world of hobbies and interests that can make your CV shine like a supernova.

Sure, your professional experience and skills are crucial elements of your resume, but including hobbies and interests can give employers a peek into your personality, passions, and unique qualities. It’s an opportunity for you to showcase your well-roundedness and make that lasting impression. So, whether you’re a world traveler, a passionate artist, or a skillful cook, we’ve got you covered.

Why Include Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume?

You might be wondering, “Why should I bother including hobbies and interests on my resume?” Well, my friend, allow me to shed some light on this matter. Including hobbies and interests on your resume gives you a chance to showcase your personality and add a splash of color to your professional profile.

You see, when employers are sifting through countless resumes, they are not just looking for qualifications and experience; they want to find someone who will bring a breath of fresh air to their team. By including your hobbies and interests, you’re revealing a bit about who you are beyond your work life. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your well-roundedness and show that there’s more to you than just your professional achievements.

Imagine you’re an employer, sifting through a pile of resumes. Each one boasts impressive qualifications, education, and work experience. But then, one resume catches your eye. Not only does this candidate have the necessary skills, but they also have a passion for photography, volunteer work, and playing the guitar. Suddenly, you start picturing this person’s dynamic personality and envisioning how they could add value to your team. See how hobbies and interests can make you stand out from the crowd.

Moreover, hobbies and interests can reveal valuable traits that employers seek in their employees. For example, participating in a team sport demonstrates collaboration and teamwork skills. Volunteering at a local charity organization shows empathy and a desire to make a positive impact. Pursuing creative hobbies like painting or writing reflects your imagination and innovation. These qualities are highly valued in the workplace, and your hobbies and interests provide tangible evidence of possessing them.

Benefits of Listing Hobbies and Interests

Are you still on the fence about including hobbies and interests on your resume? Well, let me tell you, my friend, some amazing benefits come with showcasing your passions. Let’s dive into these benefits and discover why listing hobbies and interests can give your resume that extra oomph!

1. Showcasing Your Personality

When employers review your resume, they want to get a sense of who you are as a person, beyond just your professional achievements. Including hobbies and interests allows you to reveal your unique personality and interests. Are you an avid traveler, a jazz enthusiast, or a passionate hiker? These details give employers a glimpse into your life outside of work and may help forge a connection between you and potential employers.

2. Highlighting Transferable Skills

Believe it or not, your hobbies and interests can hint at the transferable skills you bring to the table. Let’s say you enjoy playing team sports. That highlights your ability to collaborate, communicate, and work effectively in a group setting. Or perhaps you love painting, which demonstrates your creativity, attention to detail, and ability to think outside the box. Including these skills in your resume can make you even more appealing to employers, as they see that you possess talents that can be applied to their workplace.

3. Demonstrating Well-Roundedness

Employers appreciate well-rounded individuals who bring a diverse set of experiences and perspectives to their teams. By listing hobbies and interests, you show that you have a life beyond work and that you engage in activities that enrich your personal growth. Whether you’re passionate about community service, learning new languages, or playing musical instruments, these pursuits signal that you are a multifaceted individual who can bring fresh ideas and an open mind to the workplace.

4. Making a Lasting Impression

Let’s face it, resumes can sometimes blur together in a sea of black and white. But when you sprinkle in your hobbies and interests, it can make you memorable in the eyes of employers. Imagine being the hiring manager who comes across a resume filled with impressive qualifications, but also notices that the candidate is an avid salsa dancer or a certified scuba diver. These intriguing details can spark curiosity and leave a lasting impression, setting you apart from the competition.

5. Conversation Starters in Interviews

Listing hobbies and interests not only helps you during the resume screening process but can also serve as conversation starters during job interviews. Employers often use these points as icebreakers to get to know you better. So, if you’re passionate about playing guitar, for example, be prepared to discuss how it has helped build your discipline, creativity, and ability to handle performance pressure. These conversations allow you to showcase your skills in a non-work context and provide additional insights into who you are as a person.

By now, I hope you’re convinced of the immense benefits of listing your hobbies and interests on your resume. It’s time to step out of the traditional resume box and let your personal passions shine! So, go ahead and include those dance classes, gardening projects, or cooking experiments. Your hobbies and interests can become valuable assets that make you stand out in the job market. Happy resume revamping!

Types of Hobbies and Interests to Put On a Resume

Now that we understand the why, let’s explore the what! Here are a few examples of hobbies and interests that can make your resume shine:

1. Leadership Roles

If you’ve assumed leadership roles in clubs, organizations, or community groups, be sure to showcase that on your resume. This demonstrates qualities such as communication, teamwork, and the ability to take charge.

2. Volunteer Work

Volunteering not only shows empathy and compassion, but it also highlights your commitment to making a difference in your community. Include any volunteer work you’ve done that aligns with the skills and values valued in your industry.

3. Creative Pursuits

Art, music, writing, photography – if you have a creative hobby, don’t be afraid to flaunt it! Creative interests can showcase your ability to think outside the box, problem-solve, and bring a fresh perspective to your work.

4. Sports and Fitness

Engaging in sports or fitness activities not only demonstrates discipline and determination but also highlights your ability to work well in a team and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

5. Language Skills

If you’re fluent in multiple languages or have a passion for learning new ones, make sure to mention it. Being bilingual or multilingual is a valuable skill that can open doors to international opportunities and showcase your cultural adaptability.

6. Technology and Coding

In this digital age, having tech skills can give you a serious edge. So, if you enjoy coding, web development, or even tinkering with gadgets, go ahead and add them to your resume. These skills show that you’re tech-savvy and adaptable in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

List of Hobbies and Interests

Creative Pursuits

Creative pursuits reflect your ability to think outside the box, showcase your imagination, and demonstrate your attention to detail. Including hobbies like painting, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument tells employers that you possess a well-rounded skill set with a creative flair. These activities highlight your ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and think critically. Plus, they add a touch of personality to your resume, making you stand out from the crowd. Creative hobbies include:

1. Painting
2. Writing poetry
3. Playing a musical instrument
4. Photography
5. Sculpting
6. Cooking and baking
7. Dancing
8. Acting
9. Graphic design
10. Knitting
11. Woodworking
12. Calligraphy
13. Pottery
14. Jewelry-making
15. DIY crafts
16. Film-making
17. Floral arrangement
18. Embroidery
19. Origami
20. Candle making

Sports and Fitness

Creative pursuits reflect your ability to think outside the box, showcase your imagination, and demonstrate your attention to detail. Including hobbies like painting, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument tells employers that you possess a well-rounded skill set with a creative flair. These activities highlight your ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and think critically. Plus, they add a touch of personality to your resume, making you stand out from the crowd. Some sports and fitness you can include in your hobbies section on your resume are:

1. Running
2. Swimming
3. Cycling
4. Tennis
5. Soccer
6. Golf
7. Yoga
8. Hiking
9. Martial arts
10. Basketball
11. Pilates
12. Surfing
13. Rock climbing
14. Skiing or snowboarding
15. Volleyball
16. Archery
17. Kickboxing
18. Zumba
19. Gymnastics
20. Aerobics

Language and Cultural Exploration

Creative pursuits reflect your ability to think outside the box, showcase your imagination, and demonstrate your attention to detail. Including hobbies like painting, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument tells employers that you possess a well-rounded skill set with a creative flair. These activities highlight your ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and think critically. Plus, they add a touch of personality to your resume, making you stand out from the crowd. Some language and cultural personal interests include:

1. Learning a new language
2. Traveling
3. Reading historical fiction
4. Trying world cuisines
5. Genealogy research
6. Cultural festivals and events
7. Learning about mythology
8. Exploring world religions
9. Collecting antiques
10. Studying ancient civilizations
11. Attending language exchange groups
12. Participating in international film clubs
13. Brushing up on local history
14. Learning traditional dances
15. Trying out regional cooking classes

Tech and Innovation

Creative pursuits reflect your ability to think outside the box, showcase your imagination, and demonstrate your attention to detail. Including hobbies like painting, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument tells employers that you possess a well-rounded skill set with a creative flair. These activities highlight your ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and think critically. Plus, they add a touch of personality to your resume, making you stand out from the crowd. Some great hobbies to put on your resume are:

1. Coding
2. App development
3. Web design
4. Virtual reality gaming
5. Ethical hacking
6. Robotics
7. 3D printing
8. Drone piloting
9. Internet of Things (IoT) projects
10. Artificial intelligence (AI)
11. Data analytics
12. Cybersecurity
13. Blogging
14. Video editing
15. Podcasting
16. Digital art
17. Animation
18. Electronic music production
19. Mobile photography
20. Social media management

Personal Development

Creative pursuits reflect your ability to think outside the box, showcase your imagination, and demonstrate your attention to detail. Including hobbies like painting, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument tells employers that you possess a well-rounded skill set with a creative flair. These activities highlight your ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and think critically. Plus, they add a touch of personality to your resume, making you stand out from the crowd. Some unique hobbies for your resume are:

1. Meditation and mindfulness
2. Journaling
3. Public speaking
4. Life coaching
5. Personal finance management
6. Investing in stocks
7. Time management techniques
8. Goal setting and planning
9. Learning new study strategies
10. Reading self-help books
11. Mind-body wellness practices
12. Developing communication skills
13. Building confidence and self-esteem
14. Nurturing positive relationships
15. Developing emotional intelligence

Social and Volunteer Activities

Creative pursuits reflect your ability to think outside the box, showcase your imagination, and demonstrate your attention to detail. Including hobbies like painting, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument tells employers that you possess a well-rounded skill set with a creative flair. These activities highlight your ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and think critically. Plus, they add a touch of personality to your resume, making you stand out from the crowd. Some interesting hobbies to add to your resume are:

1. Volunteering at a local shelter
2. Fundraising for a charity
3. Organizing community clean-up events
4. Mentoring a child
5. Running a support group
6. Advocacy for social and environmental causes
7. Participating in political campaigns
8. Joining a non-profit board
9. Organizing charity runs or walks
10. Assisting in disaster relief efforts
11. Supporting animal rights organizations
12. Tutoring underprivileged students
13. Visiting nursing homes or hospitals
14. Planting trees or community gardens
15. Organizing cultural exchange programs

A Word of Caution on Listing Hobbies and Interests

While adding hobbies and interests to your resume can make it more engaging, and memorable, and highlight valuable aspects of your personality, it’s important to strike the right balance. Ensure that your chosen hobbies and interests are relevant to the position or industry you’re applying for. Tailor your choices to align with the values, skills, and culture of the company you’re targeting.

Remember, your resume is an opportunity to showcase your skills, experiences, and unique qualities that make you a perfect candidate. So, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through hobbies and interests! Just keep it concise, and relevant, and use active voice throughout your resume.