Top100+ Hobbies and Interests to Put on a Resume

Deciding between a summary and an objective is just part of the challenge. The next step is determining the content you’ll include.

—Could you share some of your hobbies and interests?

—Well, I find pleasure in extended beach walks and…

Numerous professionals strongly recommend against including hobbies and interests on a resume, and their advice is valid. However, there are instances where it might be necessary.

In some cases, adding hobbies and interests to your resume could enhance your chances of securing an interview, but it’s crucial to execute this step properly.

Why Put a List of Hobbies and Interests on a Resume?

What are interests?

Interests are subjects that capture your curiosity and motivate you to delve deeper into understanding them. Pursuits like history, animal behavior, or even contemporary culture are generally centered around exploration and expanding one’s understanding of concepts, ideas, and information.

For instance, if you have a fascination with history, visiting museums could be considered a hobby.

So what are hobbies?

Is there a pattern here?

Indeed, hobbies and interests are typically pursued for enjoyment and don’t contribute directly to financial gain. Consequently, in most cases, overemphasizing personal aspects is ill-advised. However—

Incorporating a section for personal hobbies and interests has traditionally been regarded as unnecessary and unprofessional. Nevertheless, the landscape is evolving.

Numerous companies are no longer solely seeking employees to carry out routine tasks; they value qualities beyond mere work experience that align with their organizational culture. Consider this: Google actively recruits individuals who exhibit openness and a playful disposition. To be a fit for Google, your resume should be tailored to align with their unique work environment.

On the contrary, if you’re seeking a position at a professional accounting firm, it might be wise to omit interests from your resume altogether.

In the spirit of a television disclaimer, it’s advised that candidates use discretion.

Most of the hobbies and interests you include in your resume provide insights to the hiring manager about your personality. They can serve to (1) establish a connection with the interviewer, (2) serve as an icebreaker for conversation, and (3) showcase personal qualities that the employer might be seeking.

But there’s a catch—

When it comes to choosing activities for your resume, it’s all about deciding which aspects of your personality you want to highlight and communicate.

Check out the list below—

Examples of top 15 best hobbies and personal interests to put on a resume:

Volunteering and involvement in the community

Writing

Blogging

Blogging, like any other form of writing, demonstrates your ability to communicate and write. Communication is the most critical skill for people entering the profession, according to data.

Podcasting

The podcasting medium has experienced a significant surge in popularity. Engaging in podcasting allows you to demonstrate your expertise in the industry, showcase your ability to cultivate an audience (marketing skills), and exhibit your capacity to engage with influential figures (networking and research skills). Additionally, it serves as an effective means to refine your organizational abilities.

Marketing

Learning a new language

If you aim to progress in your career, possessing proficiency in the English language might fall short. Russian, Hindi, and Japanese have emerged as the top three rapidly expanding languages among global users. Research suggests a connection between language acquisition and enhanced problem-solving skills, IQ, and memory capabilities.

Photography

Photography encompasses more than just capturing images. It enhances both conceptual and technical expertise while also imparting skills in collaborating with individuals.

Travel

Sports

The particular sport you engage in doesn’t matter. Engaging in physical activities in general cultivates traits like self-discipline, patience, and the capacity to recover from challenges. Team sports, in particular, can enhance skills such as leadership, communication, and interpersonal interactions.

Yoga

While yoga can be categorized as a form of exercise, it encompasses more than just stretching. It involves mindfulness of breath and serves as an effective method to relax the mind. Additionally, studies indicate that individuals who feel at ease are less prone to resign from their jobs.

Dance

Dancing goes beyond mere entertainment; it functions as a social activity that imparts collaboration skills. Moreover, it enhances cognitive abilities and contributes to a sense of relaxation.

Art

Numerous professions demand creativity, and essential attributes encompass imaginative thinking and innovation. Research indicates that 93 percent of companies value critical thinking more than a candidate’s formal education.

Reading

Whether you indulge in romance novels or other genres, reading showcases your commitment to personal interests. Moreover, it serves as a stress-reliever, contributes to cognitive well-being, and supports a harmonious work-life equilibrium.

Making music

Engaging in musical pursuits contributes positively to your mental well-being. Surprisingly, research indicates that acquiring musical skills, such as playing an instrument, enhances mathematical and scientific aptitude. Furthermore, it enhances mental focus, cognitive performance, and memory capabilities.

Listening to music

Engaging in music consumption alleviates stress and enhances emotional well-being. Furthermore, it bolsters memory retention and the capacity for learning. The ability to continually acquire new knowledge is a critical skill for employability in today’s dynamic business landscape, particularly with the increasing prominence of AI.

Top Soft and Hard Skills to Read From Resume Hobbies & Personal Interests

Hobby & Personal Interest	Top Soft Skill	Top Hard Skill
Volunteering	Initiative	Public Relations
Writing	Creativity	Text editor
Blogging	Communication	Content Management Software
Podcasting	Public speaking	Voice emission
Marketing	Data analysis	Search Engine Optimization
Learning languages	Problem-solving	Lateral thinking
Photography	Attention to detail	Adobe Photoshop
Travel	Organization	Foreign languages
Sports	Sportsmanship	Work ethic
Yoga	Perseverance	Focus
Dance	Collaboration	Memory
Art	Adaptability	Cultural sensitivity
Reading	Critical thinking	Research
Music	Self-discipline	Composition

How to List Hobbies and Interests on a Resume

1-Find out what it is about that hobby that you appreciate the most.

2-Concentrate on its distinct features.

3-Don’t feel obligated to be overly imaginative.

4-Make a separate section under the name “Hobbies” or “Hobbies & Interests.”

5-Make a list of up to five personal hobbies.

6-Don’t include any generic items in your list.

Take, for example, Shanice. She’s filling out an application for a junior position with a marketing firm. According to a photo on the company’s about us page, the company is laid-back and a little nerdy. Rick and Morty appear to be a hit with the crew. She thinks so, too! There you have it, an instant connection.

Mike, on the other hand, is a unique individual. Sure, he enjoys reading novels, but his favorite author is Wang Shuo. He might put that on his resume: reading Wang Shuo’s books. You might be wondering who Wang Shuo is. Suddenly, you have a conversation starter.

Peggy, on the other hand, has been a basketball player since high school and noted excellent cooperation abilities in the job post. She may now use her enthusiasm to show that she’s a team player—literally!

Origami, calligraphy, amateur astronomy, and breadmaking are examples of unusual hobbies. However, some individuals will stand out for all the wrong reasons (think: amateur taxidermy or collecting photographs of famous killers).

Also, be cautious and avoid attempting to manipulate the system—

If you’re applying for a marketing position, don’t pretend it’s a pastime. (And don’t say Confessions of an Advertising Man is your all-time favorite book.) If you’re a programmer, don’t try to cram coding, programming, and computer science into your hobbies section, for example. It will appear despondent and serve as a distraction.

How to Find the Right Passions for the Company

1. Research the company

Initiate your process by conducting thorough research on the company. This entails understanding their work culture and determining whether an exclusive hobbies and interests section on your resume would be of value to them.

What to incorporate in your personal interests and hobbies section, and where to seek inspiration, is the next step.

Commence by examining the job description. Most job listings encompass a set of traits the company desires in a prospective employee.

Following that, take a quick exploration of their website. Pay special attention to profiles of current employees.

Subsequently, review your social media accounts (LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook).

Concluding the research, delve into news sources and peruse company evaluations on platforms like Glassdoor.

Additionally, factor in the skills that would be advantageous in the new role.

2. Make informed decisions

While selecting hobbies, aim to align them with the attributes you aim to enhance.

Think about this example:

If the job description emphasizes qualities like being “outgoing and a strong team player,” showcasing sports-related hobbies would be fitting on your resume.

However, it’s advisable to omit hobbies that portray you as spending solitary moments knitting in sweatpants.

3. Emphasize your abilities and characteristics by focusing on your passions.

You may also use good hobbies as resume samples to fill up holes in your skill set.

4. Push your personal activities to the bottom of the priority list.

Both your CV and your selection of hobbies should be concise and pertinent.

A useful guideline is to maintain your resume within the limit of two pages (learn more). Keep it concise by featuring only two or three pertinent hobbies.

When trimming content, consider placing your list of hobbies and interests at the forefront.

While you might be tempted to include your favorite leisure activities:

“Football, reading, and traveling are among my favorite pastimes.”

Avoid it!

Providing a brief and specific description is more effective:

“I conduct ballet sessions for children with disabilities three times a week.”

“I volunteer at a local soup kitchen on weekends.”

“I am passionate about chess and run a chess club for seniors in my community.”

A compilation of interests and hobbies at the resume’s bottom is a great way to conclude. It can also make a positive impact on the recruiter.

Explore our guides on resume summaries and resume objectives to learn how to kickstart your resume. They offer numerous practical examples to help you create an impressive resume introduction.

Three Rules You Should Never Forget [These Work for Dates Too]

Don’t be vague:

Be truthful:

When crafting your CV, avoid including hobbies that don’t genuinely reflect your interests. Being inauthentic could have negative consequences.

For instance, if you mention being an “opera buff” on your resume, it’s best to genuinely possess season tickets.

Imagine if the recruiter happens to be a fan of Offenbach, and you confess that your closest encounter with a stage was watching Phantom of the Opera on Netflix – it could lead to an awkward situation.

Keep your weirdness to a minimum:

Being unique is great, but avoid venturing too far into unfamiliar territory.

Engaging in volunteer work at an animal shelter is commendable, but we all understand the implications of excessive cat hoarding.

Just as the golden rule of dinner parties suggests, the same applies to listing hobbies and interests on a resume:

Avoid discussing politics, religion, and intimate matters.

Why?

This is a simple approach to alienate someone who holds opposing viewpoints.

Keep in mind that you want to be likable and relatable.

How Putting Examples of Interests and Hobbies on a Resume Benefits You

Incorporating a segment dedicated to unique hobbies and interests can lead to unforeseen outcomes.

Recruiters wade through a sea of resumes in pursuit of the perfect candidates.

It’s crucial for the interviewer to have a comprehensive understanding of the applicant.

A resume featuring a roster of interests can set you apart from the masses. These hobbies can also enhance your appeal and leave a lasting impression on potential employers.

Being recognized as the finest cupcake decorator globally will remain in a recruiter’s memory and give you an edge in securing opportunities before your competitors.

It also works the other way around:

Don your detective hat and engage in a bit of exploration if you’re aware of the person who will be conducting your interview. Take a look at their LinkedIn profile to identify any shared interests.

Knowing your interviewer’s specific hobbies equips you with a plethora of conversation starters. These topics can facilitate the initiation of casual dialogue during your interview.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hobbies and Interests on a Resume

What are personal interests?