Including hobbies and interests on your resume might not seem like a top priority, but it can be a game-changer in setting you apart from other candidates. Employers are often looking for more than just qualifications—they want to understand who you are as a person.
A carefully chosen list of hobbies and interests can highlight your unique personality traits, show off relevant skills, and offer a glimpse into how you might fit into the company culture. Whether it’s teamwork from playing sports or creativity from photography, these personal details can speak volumes.
But how do you choose the right hobbies to include? And what impact could they actually have on your overall application? By showcasing activities that align with the role or company values, you can make your resume even more impactful.
In this post, we’ll explore why hobbies and interests matter on a resume and share practical examples you can use.
Table of Contents
Why Include Hobbies and Interests on a Resume?
Adding hobbies and interests to your resume isn’t mandatory, but it can be a strategic decision, especially in scenarios like:
- First-time job seekers with limited professional experience.
- Career changers wanting to demonstrate transferable skills.
- Cultural alignment with industries that value soft skills or team dynamics.
- Personal branding for highly competitive roles where personality matters.
Here’s why hobbies and interests are worth including:
1. Showcase Transferable Skills
Hobbies often develop soft skills that can directly apply to your profession.
For example:
- Playing team sports highlights teamwork, leadership, and communication.
- Blogging showcases writing skills, creativity, and digital literacy.
- Learning new languages demonstrates persistence and adaptability.
2. Communicate Cultural Fit
Company culture plays a significant role in hiring decisions. Including hobbies on your resume can reflect values, such as collaboration, innovation, or community involvement, that align with the company.
For example, if you’re applying to a sustainability-focused organization, listing interests like volunteering for environmental causes can underscore your passion for their mission.
3. Humanize Your Resume
Resumes often feel formal and robotic. Hobbies and interests show employers that there’s a real person behind the qualifications. It’s a great way to create a memorable impression during the hiring process.
4. Add Value for Non-Professional Backgrounds
If you lack extensive professional experience due to being new to the workforce or shifting careers, hobbies are invaluable for showcasing your initiative, personality, and dedication beyond job-specific skills.
Differences Between Hobbies and Interests
While often used interchangeably, hobbies and interests are distinct concepts. Understanding the difference helps you choose which to include and how to present them.
| Aspect | Hobbies | Interests |
| Definition | Specific activities you actively engage in during your free time. | General topics or subjects you enjoy learning about or exploring. |
| Nature | Active, hands-on, and often involve doing something tangible. | Passive, often intellectual or curiosity-driven, without necessarily participating. |
| Examples | Painting, hiking, playing chess, gardening. | Technology trends, history, environmental issues. |
| Resume Relevance | Showcases specific skills or dedication. | Demonstrates curiosity or alignment with industry trends. |
For example, listing “photography” as a hobby shows you actively practice a skill, while “interest in sustainable design” suggests you stay informed about eco-friendly practices, which could be relevant for a design-related role.
12 Best Hobbies and Interests for a Resume
Here’s a curated list of 12 hobbies and interests that can enhance your resume, along with the skills they demonstrate and the types of roles they suit. These are versatile and appealing to a wide range of industries, making them ideal for first-time job seekers.
Creative Hobbies
1. Photography
- Skills Demonstrated: Creativity, attention to detail, technical proficiency.
- Best For: Marketing, graphic design, media, or creative roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Amateur photographer specializing in portrait and landscape photography, with work featured in local art exhibitions.”
2. Writing/Blogging
- Skills Demonstrated: Communication, research, storytelling.
- Best For: Content creation, journalism, marketing, or PR roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Maintain a personal blog on technology trends, with 5,000 monthly readers.”
3. Graphic Design
- Skills Demonstrated: Creativity, software proficiency (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite), problem-solving.
- Best For: Design, advertising, or tech roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Freelance graphic designer creating branding materials for small businesses.”
Physical/Outdoor Hobbies
4. Marathon Running
- Skills Demonstrated: Discipline, goal-setting, resilience.
- Best For: High-pressure roles, sales, or leadership positions.
Example Resume Entry: “Completed three marathons, including the 2024 Boston Marathon, with a personal best of 3:45.”
5. Rock Climbing
- Skills Demonstrated: Problem-solving, physical fitness, risk management.
- Best For: Outdoor education, adventure tourism, or roles requiring quick thinking.
Example Resume Entry: “Avid rock climber, leading group climbs and mentoring beginners at local climbing gym.”
6. Yoga
- Skills Demonstrated: Stress management, focus, teamwork (if teaching).
- Best For: Wellness, education, or corporate roles emphasizing work-life balance.
Example Resume Entry: “Certified yoga instructor leading weekly community classes.”
Team-Oriented Hobbies
7. Team Sports (e.g., Soccer, Basketball)
- Skills Demonstrated: Teamwork, communication, leadership.
- Best For: Sales, project management, or collaborative roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Captain of recreational soccer team, organizing practices and leading team to regional finals.”
8. Volunteer Work
- Skills Demonstrated: Leadership, empathy, organization.
- Best For: Nonprofit, healthcare, or community-focused roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Volunteer coordinator for local food bank, ۛ
Intellectual/Technical Interests
9. Coding Personal Projects
- Skills Demonstrated: Technical skills, problem-solving, self-motivation.
- Best For: Tech, engineering, or data analysis roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Developed a personal mobile app using Python, deployed on GitHub.”
10. Chess
- Skills Demonstrated: Strategic thinking, focus, decision-making.
- Best For: Finance, consulting, or analytical roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Competitive chess player, ranked in top 10% of regional tournaments.”
11. Learning a Language
- Skills Demonstrated: Dedication, cultural awareness, communication.
- Best For: International business, education, or translation roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Fluent in Spanish, currently studying Mandarin through online courses.”
12. Sustainable Living
- Skills Demonstrated: Environmental awareness, innovation, research.
- Best For: Environmental,urban planning, or green tech roles.
Example Resume Entry: “Advocate for sustainable living, managing a home composting system and community workshops.”
How to Choose Relevant Hobbies and Interests
The key to maximizing the impact of this section is relevance. Here’s how to identify and select hobbies that align with the job and company you’re targeting.
1. Align with the Job Description
Look for clues in the job description. For example, if a position emphasizes teamwork, listing group activities (like team sports or collaborative projects) makes sense.
- Creative roles (e.g., graphic design): Include interests like photography, drawing, or video editing.
- Leadership roles (e.g., management positions): Highlight coaching, public speaking, or mentoring.
2. Research the Company Culture
Is the organization creative and innovative, or more formal and professional? Researching the company helps you choose hobbies that resonate. A startup might value adventurous or entrepreneurial interests, while corporate settings may appreciate recognized achievements like professional competitions or certifications.
3. Focus on Transferable Skills
Evaluate how your hobbies demonstrate transferable skills.
For example:
Skill Needed: Problem-solving
- Hobby: Escape room challenges
Skill Needed: Creativity
- Hobby: Painting or crafting
Skill Needed: Leadership
- Hobby: Coaching a soccer team
4. Avoid Irrelevant or Controversial Interests
Be selective and professional. Hobbies like binge-watching TV or discussing politics can create a negative impression, as they may seem unproductive or divisive. Stick to activities that paint you in a positive light.
Examples of Hobbies and interests to Put on a Resume (that align with the chosen position)
Below are 12 real-world examples of hobbies and interests tailored to some of the most common professions. Each example includes the profession, the hobby or interest, the skills it highlights, and a sample resume entry.
These are designed for job seekers crafting their resumes for the first time, ensuring relevance and professionalism.
Marketing
Hobby: Social Media Management – You actively manage personal or business social media accounts. This is something you do for fun or as a side project, like creating content, interacting with followers, or promoting brands.
Interest: Digital Trends and Innovation – You are fascinated by how technology is changing the marketing landscape, such as the rise of AI tools, new social media platforms, or innovative digital marketing strategies. You may follow blogs, attend webinars, or engage in discussions about the future of marketing.
Software Developer
Hobby: Coding Personal Projects – In your free time, you write code to build your own applications, websites, or tools. For example, you might build an app that helps you stay organized or a game you created as a fun challenge.
Interest: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – You’re interested in how AI is evolving and want to learn more about it. You might read research papers or follow news on the latest developments in AI, even though you’re not actively working on it every day.
Teacher
Hobby: Tutoring or Mentoring – You volunteer or spend your free time tutoring students in a subject you’re passionate about. For example, you might help high school students with math or language arts.
Interest: Educational Technology – You’re fascinated by how technology can enhance teaching and learning. You might explore new educational apps, watch webinars on virtual classrooms, or read up on tech tools that make learning more engaging.
Sales
Hobby: Networking – You enjoy going to industry events or informal meetups to expand your professional network. Whether it’s a conference or a casual gathering, you thrive on building new relationships.
Interest: Consumer Behavior and Psychology – You’re intrigued by what motivates people to make purchasing decisions. You might read books or articles about consumer psychology, follow trends, or listen to podcasts on the subject to understand customers better.
Human Resources
Hobby: Employee Engagement Activities – You enjoy organizing fun events or team-building activities to create a positive work environment. This could involve planning retreats, icebreakers, or wellness programs.
Interest: Workplace Culture and Organizational Development – You follow articles or research on how to improve workplace culture, enhance employee satisfaction, or build more inclusive work environments. You may also attend HR conferences or webinars.
Finance
Hobby: Investing – In your free time, you enjoy managing your personal investments, whether in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency. You keep up with market trends and enjoy learning about different investment strategies.
Interest: Global Economic Trends – You’re interested in macroeconomics and how global events (like inflation or international trade) impact financial markets. You follow news, read financial reports, and attend webinars or discussions about economic shifts.
Graphic Design
Hobby: Photography – You enjoy taking photos, whether it’s capturing nature, cityscapes, or portraits. Photography allows you to practice composition, lighting, and creativity, which are also important in design.
Interest: Design Trends – You keep up with the latest design trends, whether it’s minimalist design, typography styles, or color palettes. You may follow design blogs, watch tutorials, or attend design-related conferences.
Healthcare Professional (Nurse, Doctor)
Hobby: Fitness – You prioritize staying healthy by engaging in activities like yoga, running, or lifting weights. This keeps you physically fit and may even give you a better understanding of wellness to pass on to your patients.
Interest: Medical Advancements – You’re interested in staying updated on new treatments, medical technologies, and breakthroughs in healthcare. You might follow medical journals, attend conferences, or participate in discussions about the future of medicine.
Project Management
Hobby: Event Planning – You love planning personal events, like birthday parties, weddings, or vacations. You enjoy coordinating logistics, organizing resources, and ensuring everything runs smoothly, similar to project management tasks.
Interest: Productivity and Efficiency – You’re fascinated by time management, organization systems, and productivity tools. You might read books, watch videos, or try different productivity methods to stay organized and efficient in your work and personal life.
Customer Service
Hobby: Volunteering – You spend your free time volunteering at local charities or community centers. You enjoy helping others and connecting with people, which makes you naturally good at customer service roles.
Interest: Conflict Resolution – You’re intrigued by methods of resolving conflicts and finding win-win solutions. You might read books on conflict management or attend workshops on mediation and communication.
Engineering
Hobby: Building DIY Projects – You love creating things with your hands, whether it’s assembling furniture, fixing electronics, or working on home improvement projects. This allows you to practice problem-solving and technical skills.
Interest: Robotics and Automation – You’re fascinated by robots, AI, and how automation is transforming industries. You keep up with the latest technologies, attend robotics workshops, or participate in online forums about engineering innovations.
Legal Profession (Lawyer, Paralegal)
Hobby: Debating – You actively participate in local debate clubs or competitions, which helps sharpen your argumentation, persuasion, and critical thinking skills.
Interest: Legal Theories and Human Rights – You are passionate about legal theory, ethics, and human rights issues. You might read books about civil rights, follow legal cases in the news, or participate in discussions about law and justice.
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