How to Showcase Your Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume: Tips and Tricks
As job seekers, we are always on the lookout for ways to make our resumes stand out from the competition. While previous work experience and education are certainly important, highlighting your hobbies and interests can also help catch the attention of potential employers.
Here are some tips and tricks for showcasing your hobbies and interests on your resume:
1. Tailor your hobbies and interests to the job you’re applying for
Before including your hobbies and interests on your resume, consider the company and the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a job in a creative industry, such as graphic design or advertising, creativity-related hobbies like painting, photography or writing can help demonstrate your skills. On the other hand, hobbies like playing team sports or volunteering can show that you’re a team player and care about social causes.
2. Highlight hobbies and interests that demonstrate skills relevant to the job
Beyond tailoring your hobbies and interests to the job you’re applying for, focus on including those that can highlight relevant skills. Many hobbies and interests can demonstrate transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork or problem-solving. For example, if you’re applying for a job that requires organizational skills, highlighting a hobby like event planning can show that you have this skill.
3. Make sure your hobbies and interests are up-to-date and accurate
If you’re including hobbies and interests on your resume, make sure that they are current and accurate. If you’ve listed a hobby like running a marathon, make sure that you’ve actually completed this task before listing it on your resume. Additionally, hobbies and interests that are outdated or no longer relevant should be removed to avoid confusion or potential misrepresentation.
4. Include specific details and achievements related to your hobbies and interests
If you’ve included a hobby or interest on your resume, be sure to provide specific details or achievements related to it. For example, if you’ve volunteered for a particular organization, include information like the number of hours volunteered, roles held or specific contributions made. This can help demonstrate your passion and dedication to the hobby or interest, and provide additional context for potential employers.
5. Use proper formatting and keep it concise
While including hobbies and interests on your resume can be beneficial, it’s important to use proper formatting and keep it concise. Use bullet points to highlight your hobbies and interests, and keep it to a maximum of three or four entries. Additionally, make sure your resume follows a clean and consistent format, so that your hobbies and interests section doesn’t seem out of place or distracting.
In conclusion, including hobbies and interests on your resume can be a helpful way to showcase unique skills and interests outside of your work experience and education. By tailoring your hobbies and interests to the job you’re applying for, highlighting relevant skills and providing specific details and achievements, you can help catch the attention of potential employers and stand out from the competition.
