Including personal interests on a professional resume is a practice that generates discussion among recruiting professionals and career advisors. While some view it as unnecessary filler, others recognize that carefully selected activities offer a unique, humanizing glimpse into a candidate’s character. When executed thoughtfully, an interests section provides valuable context about a candidate’s soft skills and work style. Understanding when and how to present these details is the first step in leveraging this section effectively to enhance an application.
The Strategic Decision to Include or Omit
The decision to include an interests section begins with an assessment of the candidate’s professional profile and the specific role’s requirements. Entry-level candidates or recent graduates often benefit most from this inclusion because they have limited work experience to demonstrate transferable skills. Career changers can also use the section strategically to bridge the gap between their previous industry and their desired field. Companies emphasizing cultural fit may also view an interests section favorably as it helps paint a picture of a well-rounded individual. Conversely, highly experienced professionals applying for senior or specialized technical roles should generally omit this section, dedicating space instead to quantifying complex achievements and technical proficiencies.
Translating Interests into Transferable Skills
The purpose of listing a personal interest is to provide tangible evidence of professional attributes, not just inform the reader about a weekend activity. Recruiters look beyond the surface of a hobby to identify underlying transferable skills that relate directly to the job description. For example, competing in ultramarathons conveys perseverance, goal setting, and long-term stamina. Similarly, an interest in competitive chess suggests a capacity for strategic planning and rapid decision-making under pressure. When selecting an activity, the candidate must analyze the job description to determine which soft skills are most desired. The chosen interest should then serve as a concise proof point for those identified skills, adding depth to claims made elsewhere on the resume.
Positive Interests That Enhance Your Application
Interests Demonstrating Discipline and Focus
Activities requiring sustained, solitary effort over a long period indicate self-discipline. Learning a complex language or mastering an advanced musical instrument shows commitment to incremental progress. These pursuits require patience, attention to detail, and a structured approach to practice, which translates directly to managing detailed professional projects.
Interests Showcasing Leadership and Teamwork
Interests involving organizing or guiding others effectively showcase leadership capabilities outside of a formal work setting. Serving as the treasurer for a community group or coaching a youth sports team demonstrates financial accountability, mentorship, and motivational skills. Being an active officer in a professional organization shows an ability to collaborate toward a shared objective and manage group dynamics.
Interests Highlighting Creativity and Problem-Solving
Hobbies involving creation or complex synthesis are strong evidence of innovative thinking and analytical problem-solving. Developing personal coding projects, such as building an application or website, highlights technical aptitude and a proactive approach to learning new platforms. Pursuing graphic design, intricate woodworking, or complex culinary arts demonstrates an ability to execute a detailed vision from concept to finished product.
Interests Reflecting Cultural Awareness or Endurance
Certain activities can broaden a candidate’s perspective and demonstrate resilience in varied environments. Engaging in travel that involves extended immersion, such as backpacking or participating in a cultural exchange program, suggests strong adaptability and cultural intelligence. Significant commitments to intense volunteering, such as building houses or providing long-term tutoring, illustrates a high degree of personal endurance and commitment to service.
Interests to Exclude from Your Resume
Knowing which activities to deliberately omit from the professional document is crucial. Any interest that is overly passive, such as watching television or generic reading, should be excluded because it conveys no measurable or transferable skill. Hobbies related to controversial social or political causes, or specific religious affiliations, should be avoided entirely to maintain a neutral professional presentation and prevent unconscious bias. Interests that suggest poor judgment or excessive risk-taking, such as frequent extreme sports or excessive competitive gaming, can also damage an application by raising concerns about focus or reliability.
Best Practices for Formatting and Placement
Once appropriate interests have been selected, the presentation must be concise and professional. The interests section should always be placed at the very bottom of the resume, usually below Education or Volunteer Experience, to ensure it does not overshadow primary professional qualifications. Experts advise listing a maximum of three to five carefully chosen interests to avoid overwhelming the document. Phrasing should be short and direct, focusing on the activity without using complete sentences or lengthy explanations. For example, use “Marathon Runner” instead of “I enjoy spending time training for marathons.”