The Scope of Hobbies/Activities and Interests in Resume

A well-built resume would address all the questions about your experience, qualifications, skills and personality. Who I am as a person? is a question that should be answered by yourself in your resume after you have carefully filled the mandatory sections. 

Putting hobbies, interests and activities on your resume may be a great way to impress your potential employer as a well-rounded person. Once you have made your mind on including your hard and soft skills on your CV, the next step is choosing the right ones and the right way to do it. 

Adding interests, activities and hobbies without drawing attention away from the significant details is always the key. And what should you include and what not? Read on for helpful tips and find over 100 hobbies to decorate your resume.

Difference Between Hobbies and Interests 

Interests and hobbies are often used interchangeably but they are subtly different from each other. Hobbies are activities that a person engages in for the pursuit of enjoyment or leisure while interests refer to the broader range of passive ideas or topics one indulges in. 

Should I Mention Hobbies and Interests in a Resume? 

Highlighting hobbies and interests on your resume can always compliment your work experience and relevant skill-set. Listing hobbies and interests on a resume can help you stand out and demonstrate your personality and unique strengths as a good cultural fit in an organization. 

And while there may be some cases where listing hobbies and interests may look odd but can prove a great addition when appropriate. 

Scope of Hobbies and Interests in Resume 

Employers are interested in knowing what their potential employee does in his/her spare time so it is important to be strategic and attentive when filling hobbies and interests sections in your resume. Items you create will be perceived differently by different employers therefore you should only choose hobbies that reflect positively on you. 

Resume Hobbies Underscore the Multidimensionality of the Applicant

Humans are more than work machines and life skills so never miss to mention your unique hobbies and strong interests in your resume. Employers are not always eyeing for the resource and skilled labor; they may be looking for someone with a bit of depth – a character or personality. 

Hobbies and Interests Can Compensate for Limited Experience 

If you are writing a resume with no or limited work history or are a fresh graduate seeking his first role, don’t forget to fill that space with interests and hobbies. As a potential candidate competing for the job, it would be a great personality trait to have done any community service or having volunteered in a social or cultural group. You would be identified as a team player with leadership skills. 

Benefits of Putting Hobbies on the Resume 

• Your interests personalize your resume and therefore successfully grab the attention of HR managers and recruiters. 
• It enables you to highlight transferable skills you have acquired through your hobbies/interests and could prove handy in the new position. 
• Your interests and hobbies might align with your potential employer which will be helpful in creating a rapport with the new employer. 
• Not only will they boost your confidence with enhanced sense of identity and self-awareness, adding them to your resume will help you get past ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).

Hobbies You Should Add in Your resume 

• Always try to include hobbies and interests that best align with your responsibilities in a position. 
• Here are a few tips on what kind of hobbies and interests you should put on your resume. 
• Consider adding hobbies and interests that have some sort of relevancy with your job and complement your strengths. 
• Display a range of interests that showcase different aspects of your personality and skills. 
• Take into account the vision, values and culture of your employer to wisely choose hobbies and interests that fit with them. 
• Remember that not every hobby belongs on the resume and you should avoid ones that may cause any unintended controversy and could be deemed as inappropriate. 
• Don’t blow hobbies and interests out of proportion. Always filter the most relevant ones and be concise.

Hobbies You Should Keep off Your Resume 

We know that hobbies and interests that are constructive and showcase dedication and teamwork could be incorporated in your CV. However, there are certainly some items that should not land on your resume. 

• Hobbies or interests that discourage interactions
• Activities and interests that could display violence and pose danger
• Hobbies that are antisocial in their nature
• Hobbies and interests that reveal your personal preferences and information to employers, e.g., political or religious affiliations

Examples of Hobbies and Interests to Put on Your Resume 

Creating a carefully curated personalized list of various interests and hobbies could save you time during your job search in the long run. Below are over 100 examples of interests and hobbies for a resume you can pull from to add depth and dimension to your CV and stand out as a valued candidate. 

Artistic Interests and Hobbies

Incorporating artistic interests and hobbies into a resume highlights creativity and personal expression. Activities such as painting, photography, or theater involvement demonstrate a well-rounded character and enhance problem-solving skills. These pursuits can also showcase dedication, collaboration, and a unique perspective, making candidates stand out in competitive job markets. Here are some examples of artistic interests and hobbies you can use in your CV.

·             Drawing

·             Filmmaking

·             Animation

·             Illustration

·             Knitting

·             Painting

·             Photography

Writing Hobbies 

Including writing hobbies in a resume underscores strong communication skills and creativity. Whether through blogging, poetry, or freelance articles, these activities showcase the ability to articulate ideas clearly and engage diverse audiences. Highlighting such interests can also demonstrate commitment to personal growth and a passion for storytelling, making a candidate more appealing to potential employers. As a writer you can include the following hobbies in your resume:

·             Blogging

·             Copywriting

·             Essay writing

·             Fan fiction

·             Fiction writing

·             Poetry writing

·             Screenwriting

·             Travel writing

Reading 

Reading hobbies  emphasize a commitment to continuous learning and intellectual curiosity. Engaging with a variety of genres showcases an ability to analyze complex concepts and appreciate diverse perspectives. This interest reflects strong critical thinking skills and a passion for personal development, making candidates more compelling to potential employers. Add these reading hobbies in your resume: 

·             Attending literary events

·             Book clubs

·             Book collecting

·             Book reviewing

·             Book swaps

·             Translating books

·             Reading

Volunteering Hobbies 

Volunteering activities in a resume highlight a candidate's commitment to community service and social responsibility. These experiences demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and the ability to adapt in diverse environments. Such involvement not only reflects personal values but also enhances interpersonal skills, making candidates more appealing to potential employers. Here are a couple of example  volunteering hobbies you can use in your CV. 

·             Animal rescue

·             Community gardening

·             Conservation

·             Fundraising events

·             Homelessness support

·             International service

·             Literacy support

·             Youth sports coaching

Marketing Interests and Hobbies 

Adding marketing interests and hobbies in a resume showcases a proactive engagement with industry trends and strategies. Activities such as managing social media accounts, creating content, or participating in marketing clubs demonstrate both creativity and analytical skills. Use following marketing interests and hobbies in your resume: 

·             Content creation

·             Creative writing

·             Photography

·             Podcasting

·             Reading marketing books

·             SEO

·             Social media

·             Videography

Music and Art-Related Hobbies 

Listing marketing interests and hobbies to a resume is essential as it illustrates a genuine passion for the field beyond formal experience. These activities, such as content creation or participating in marketing workshops reflect a candidate’s understanding of current trends, making them more appealing to employers looking for innovative and engaged team members. Following are some music and art-related hobbies you can incorporate in your resume.

·             Acting

·             Composing music

·             Dancing

·             DJing

·             Poetry

·             Playing a musical instrument

·             Singing 

Sports and Outdoor Hobbies and Interests 

Sports and outdoor hobbies in a resume highlight qualities such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Participation in these activities demonstrates a commitment to physical fitness and a balanced lifestyle, which can contribute to overall well-being in the workplace. Additionally, these interests can showcase leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively, making candidates more attractive to potential employers. Here are the outdoor hobbies and sports you may include in your resume:

·             Backpacking

·             Baseball

·             Basketball 

·             Bodybuilding

·             Canoeing

·             Car racing

·             Boating

·             Bowling

·             Football

·             Fantasy football

·             Fantasy baseball

·             Golf

·             Hiking

·             Individual sports

·             Martial arts

·             Mountain biking

·             Mountain climbing

·             Paintball

·             Pickleball

·             Rock climbing

·             Running

·             Sailing

·             Scuba diving

·             Skydiving

·             Snowboarding

·             Skiing

·             Tennis

·             Yoga

Technology Hobbies and Activities 

Engaging with the latest technologies and participating in related projects or communities demonstrate technical skills and adaptability. This interest can set candidates apart by showcasing their proactive approach to staying current and their ability to leverage technology effectively. Include following:

·             3-D printing

·             App building

·             Artificial Intelligence

·             Computer programming

·             Podcasting

·             Robotics

·             Social media

·             Virtual reality

·             Web design

·             Web development 

Other Unique Hobbies and Interests for a Resume

In general, hobbies and interests in a resume provide valuable insight into a candidate's personality, skills, and cultural fit within an organization. They can highlight unique strengths and experiences that set candidates apart from others, showcasing well-roundedness and a commitment to personal growth. Add these: 

·             Astronomy

·             Astrology

·             Car restoration

·             Cooking classes

·             Genealogy

·             Learning languages

·             Stamp collecting

·             Traveling

·             Vintage shopping

Conclusion

Hobbies and Interests may not be as critical as professional summary, skills and work experience but they should definitely not be omitted from the bottom of your resume. It is imperative to not over personalize your resume but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to shut down your personality and the unique details that make you different from others. Don’t overcrowd your interests section, tailor your list of interests according to job requirements and stay away from irrelevant controversial hobbies to create a solid resume that concludes positively.