The “Interests” or “Hobbies” section of a resume can be a source of confusion for job applicants. While optional, this section provides an opportunity to stand out from other candidates. A thoughtfully curated list of personal pursuits can add a layer of depth to your application that qualifications alone cannot.
The Purpose of an Interests Section
The interests section serves a strategic purpose by offering a glimpse into your personality. It humanizes your application, making you more memorable to a hiring manager sifting through dozens of resumes. These details can also help identify shared interests to discuss in an interview.
This part of your resume can also act as a conversation starter during an interview, helping to break the ice and build rapport. A well-chosen interest can subtly point to desirable soft skills. For those with limited professional experience, such as recent graduates, this section is a promising way to highlight personality and transferable skills.
What Interests to Include on Your Resume
When deciding what to include, be strategic and relevant. Your interests should align with the job, the company culture, or the skills required for the position to reinforce your qualifications.
Interests That Show Job-Relevant Skills
Certain hobbies can showcase skills applicable to a specific role. For a software developer, contributing to open-source projects demonstrates technical proficiency and passion for the field. If you’re applying for a content marketing position, maintaining a personal blog highlights your writing and content management abilities. An interest in architectural photography could be a valuable addition for someone seeking a role in real estate or architecture.
Interests That Highlight Positive Character Traits
Your personal pursuits can be a powerful indicator of your character. Endurance sports like marathon running or cycling signal discipline, perseverance, and goal orientation. Engaging in strategic games such as chess can point to analytical abilities, which are valuable in fields like finance or engineering. Playing a musical instrument demonstrates dedication and creative expression, providing evidence of the soft skills employers seek.
Interests That Demonstrate Community Involvement
Including activities that show community engagement can be impactful. Volunteering for a local animal shelter or a food bank demonstrates empathy and social responsibility. Organizing or leading a community event, such as a neighborhood cleanup, showcases leadership and project management skills. This type of involvement is viewed favorably by employers.
Interests That Indicate a Cultural Fit
Researching a company’s culture provides clues about what interests might resonate with the hiring team. If you are applying to an outdoor equipment company, mentioning hobbies like hiking or kayaking would be highly relevant. For a company known for its collaborative environment, being part of a book club or a local sports league can suggest you would integrate well. Tailoring this section shows you’ve done your homework and are interested in that specific workplace.
What Interests to Avoid
Just as the right interests can enhance your resume, the wrong ones can be detrimental. Avoid hobbies that could be seen as controversial, unprofessional, or irrelevant, as they can introduce bias or raise red flags. You should specifically avoid the following:
- Politically or religiously charged topics, unless you are applying to an organization where such affiliations are relevant.
- Generic and passive interests like “watching movies.” If you have an interest in film, be more specific, such as “studying classic cinema” to demonstrate a deeper engagement.
- Hobbies that could be perceived as negative or unprofessional, such as “partying” or anything that suggests a high-risk lifestyle.
- Exaggerated or fabricated interests. A hiring manager might ask about a listed hobby, and being unable to speak about it will damage your credibility.
How to Format and Place the Interests Section
This section should be located at the very bottom of your resume. Your work experience, skills, and education are the primary focus, so personal interests should be the final, supplementary element.
For the title of the section, you can use “Interests,” “Hobbies & Interests,” or “Personal Interests.” You could also include it under a more general heading like “Additional Information.”
A simple, comma-separated list is often sufficient, for example: “Interests: Landscape Photography, Marathon Running, Chess, Volunteer Tutoring.” You can also use bullet points for more context, but keep descriptions brief. Aim to list between three and five interests to avoid cluttering the page.