Showcasing Your Hobbies and Interests on Your CV – Examples from the UK
It’s a widely known fact that employers look for much more than just technical skills when it comes to hiring candidates. They are also interested in the personality traits that will fit well with the culture of their organization. That’s why showcasing your hobbies and interests on your CV can give you an advantage over other candidates.
The Importance of Including Hobbies and Interests on Your CV
Including your hobbies and interests on a CV can be a great way to show the employer that you are a well-rounded individual with an interesting personality. It can be a significant differentiator in a competitive job market. Some employers may be looking for people with specific hobbies and interests that match their culture and work environment. By including them on your CV, you might be able to stand out from other candidates who are just presenting their technical skills.
Examples of Hobbies and Interests to Include on Your CV
It’s critical to choose hobbies and interests that reflect positively on your personality and could be viewed as relevant to the employer. By matching your hobbies and interests to the job requirements, you can demonstrate that you have skills and qualities that will help you succeed in the role. For instance, if you are applying for a job that requires teamwork, you may list your participation on a sports team, whereas if you are applying for a job that requires creativity, you may list your art or music skills. Here are some examples of hobbies and interests that are relevant to various job requirements:
– For management and leadership roles: leadership experience, volunteer work, team sports, and community involvement.
– For problem-solving and attention to detail roles: puzzles, brain teasers, coding, chess and Sudoku.
– For creative roles: music, painting, photography, and writing.
– For customer service and social roles: team sports, volunteering, book club participation, and baking.
– For technical roles: coding, gaming, and technology blogging.
How to Present Your Hobbies and Interests on Your CV
When presenting your hobbies and interests, it is essential to be concise and clear. You don’t want your CV to be overloaded with irrelevant information that may distract the employer from the essential information. Under each hobby or interest, present the following:
– The name of the activity
– The time period involved in the hobby
– Any achievements or milestones
Conclusion
In summary, adding your hobbies and interests on your CV can be a value-adding factor in a competitive job market. Including relevant hobbies and interests can demonstrate that you are a well-rounded and interesting individual. However, make sure that you present your hobbies and interests concisely and effectively so that you don’t overload the employer with irrelevant information.
