The question of whether to include personal interests on a resume depends on maximizing the limited space available. Interests, defined as hobbies or personal pursuits outside of work, can offer a glimpse into a candidate’s personality and values. While sometimes beneficial, that space is usually better reserved for professional qualifications. The decision requires a strategic assessment of the role, your experience level, and the potential value of the pursuit.
The Core Purpose of the Resume
A resume functions primarily as a marketing document designed to quickly demonstrate a candidate’s professional value. Its purpose is to showcase relevant skills, quantifiable professional achievements, and work experience that directly apply to the target job description. Every line should highlight competencies and past successes that forecast future job performance. Achievement metrics, such as revenue generated or efficiency gains, hold precedence over general descriptions of duties or personal activities. This establishes a high bar for any non-professional content, including personal interests, to justify their inclusion.
When Interests Are a Strategic Asset
Interests become a valuable asset when they bridge gaps between a candidate’s professional history and the requirements of the new role. Entry-level applicants or those undergoing a career change may lack direct experience, making personal pursuits a helpful way to demonstrate transferable skills. For example, participation in team sports demonstrates collaboration, communication, and leadership abilities. Complex crafts like coding side projects or advanced model building signal patience, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills necessary for technical positions. Interests can also demonstrate a culture fit or shared values, especially in organizations that emphasize employee personality.
Listing a position as a volunteer coordinator shows alignment if an employer values community involvement. Hobbies like competitive chess or learning a new language signal intellectual curiosity and a disciplined approach to skill acquisition. By strategically linking a personal activity to a professional competency, candidates offer evidence of soft skills. The inclusion must be deliberate, focusing on how the hobby translates into an asset that directly benefits the employer.
Scenarios Requiring Omission
The opportunity cost of using valuable resume space for interests often outweighs the potential benefit, making omission the default choice for most experienced professionals. If the resume exceeds the standard one-page limit, personal interests should be the first section removed to prioritize accomplishments. For senior individuals, the space is better utilized detailing high-level metrics, leadership roles, and complex project outcomes. Irrelevant activities that have no connection to the job function only distract from professional qualifications.
Including personal activities risks the hiring manager making negative assumptions. For instance, a time-intensive pursuit might lead a recruiter to worry that the candidate is overcommitted to non-work activities or prone to taking time off. Generic interests, such as “reading” or “traveling,” add no unique value and waste space that could be used for a more impactful professional bullet point. If the interest does not directly support the candidacy or fill an experience gap, it should be left off the document.
How to Format Interests Effectively
If interests are included, proper formatting is necessary to ensure the section is professional and supplementary. The interests section should always be positioned at the bottom of the resume, after the professional experience, education, and skills sections. This placement ensures that the most relevant qualifications are prioritized for review. The section should be titled clearly, using headings such as “Personal Pursuits” or “Interests” to maintain a professional tone.
The content should be presented as a concise, bulleted list, avoiding full sentences or descriptive paragraphs. Each interest should be limited to one or two words unless a brief, professionalized phrase is needed to highlight job relevance. For example, instead of “Running,” a candidate could use “Marathon Runner (Discipline and Endurance).” This professionalized phrasing helps the recruiter quickly connect the personal activity to a soft skill, demonstrating intentionality.
Categories of Interests to Exclude
Certain categories of personal interests carry an unnecessary risk of bias, distraction, or negative assumptions and should be excluded from a professional resume.
Political or Religious Affiliations
Mentioning affiliations with specific political parties, activist groups, or religious organizations opens the door to unconscious bias. These topics are irrelevant to job performance and can create a divisive atmosphere. The resume’s purpose is to secure an interview based on professional merit, and introducing sensitive or polarizing information serves no positive strategic function.
High-Risk or Extreme Sports
Including high-risk activities, such as BASE jumping, extreme mountaineering, or competitive motorsport, raises concerns about the candidate’s judgment and reliability. A recruiter may worry that such pursuits increase the likelihood of injury, potentially leading to extended time off or reduced availability. Even intense endurance sports can lead to the perception that the candidate is too dedicated to outside pursuits to commit fully to the job.
Controversial or Time-Consuming Hobbies
Hobbies that are controversial or suggest an over-commitment to non-work activities should be omitted. Examples include gambling, hunting, or collecting niche memorabilia, which may suggest questionable personal judgment. Similarly, listing passive or excessively time-consuming pursuits, such as “binge-watching television” or “extensive online gaming,” may give the impression that the candidate lacks the focus necessary for a professional environment.