Adding personal interests to your resume is a choice that can help you stand out. While your work experience and skills are the main focus, the right hobbies offer a glimpse into your personality and highlight abilities not found elsewhere in your application. This section can be useful for those with limited professional experience, but even seasoned professionals can use it to their advantage.
The Purpose of an Interests Section
The function of an interests section is to humanize your application, offering a more well-rounded picture of who you are beyond a list of qualifications. It provides a personal touch that can make you more memorable to a hiring manager and demonstrate a good cultural fit with the company. If you know a company values teamwork and you participate in group sports, that connection can be made.
This section also serves to showcase transferable soft skills. Your professional history might not fully capture your discipline, creativity, or ability to collaborate, and a well-chosen interest can act as evidence for these traits. For instance, training for a marathon implies dedication, while being part of a band suggests collaborative abilities.
A unique or shared interest can also be a conversation starter during an interview. It can break the ice and create a more personal connection with the interviewer, especially if you find a common interest.
What Makes an Interest “Good” for a Resume
An interest is “good” for a resume if it enhances your profile as a candidate for a specific role. The primary factor is relevance, so the hobbies you list should connect to the job or the industry. For example, an applicant for a tech role might mention building PCs, as it demonstrates a passion and practical skills related to IT. This shows you are engaged with the field beyond the confines of a job.
Tailoring your choices to the company culture is another consideration. If you research a company and find it has a strong emphasis on community service, mentioning your volunteer work becomes impactful. Similarly, if a company’s social media shows team-building outings like hiking, listing a related interest can signal that you would fit in with the existing team.
Examples of Effective Interests to Include
Interests That Show Leadership and Determination
Certain hobbies are indicators of your drive and ability to lead. Mentioning that you captain a local sports team suggests experience in motivating others and taking responsibility. Long-distance running, such as training for a marathon, showcases discipline, goal commitment, and perseverance. Setting and achieving personal fitness goals can also demonstrate a strong work ethic.
Interests That Show Teamwork and Collaboration
Many roles require individuals who can work effectively as part of a team, and some interests display this ability. Playing in a band requires listening to others, synchronizing efforts, and working toward a shared artistic goal. Participating in team sports like soccer or basketball also highlights your capacity for communication and collaboration. Improv comedy is another interest that signals an ability to think on your feet and build upon the ideas of others.
Interests That Show Creativity and Problem-Solving
Interests involving creativity can suggest you are an innovative thinker. Photography, for instance, demonstrates an eye for detail, composition, and visual storytelling. Strategic games like chess or Go are examples of your ability to think ahead, analyze complex situations, and solve problems. Learning a new language or a musical instrument also highlights cognitive flexibility and a methodical approach to mastering a skill.
Interests That Show Attention to Detail and Technical Skill
Some hobbies can showcase your precision and technical abilities. Writing code for personal projects is directly relevant for tech roles and demonstrates your skills and passion for the field. The work of building models, whether architectural or mechanical, points to patience and precision. Complex baking or cooking can also illustrate your ability to follow detailed instructions and manage processes.
Interests That Show Community Engagement
Engaging with your community through volunteering can reflect positively on your character. Listing volunteer work shows a commitment to making a positive impact and suggests interpersonal skills like empathy. Organizing local events, such as a charity drive, demonstrates project management and organizational skills. Acting as a mentor highlights your willingness to guide and support others.
Interests to Potentially Avoid
While the right hobbies can enhance your resume, the wrong ones can be detrimental. Avoid listing interests that could be seen as controversial. This includes political or religious affiliations, unless you are applying to an organization where such a connection is directly relevant, like a political campaign or a faith-based charity. These topics can be polarizing and may introduce bias into the hiring process.
Overly passive or generic hobbies should also be excluded. Stating “watching movies” or “listening to music” adds little value. If you mention such an interest, be more specific, such as “analyzing classic films” or “playing classical guitar,” to give it more substance. The goal is to present yourself as an engaging individual.
Avoid any interest that could be perceived as unprofessional or concerning. Hobbies that are isolating or have connotations of laziness should be left off. If an interest could cause a recruiter to question your judgment, it is best to omit it.
How to List Interests on Your Resume
This section should be placed at the very bottom of your resume. Your work experience, skills, and education are more important and should take precedence. The title for this section can be simple and direct, such as “Interests,” “Hobbies & Interests,” or “Personal Interests.”
The best format is a clean, concise list. Use bullet points for readability, but avoid lengthy descriptions, as a few carefully selected words are all that is needed. The goal is to provide a quick, scannable snapshot of your personality. Keep the list short, between three to five interests, to ensure it doesn’t distract from the more substantive parts of your application.