Showcasing Your Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume: Examples and Tips
When it comes to writing a resume, we often focus on the professional experiences and academic qualifications that showcase our suitability for the job. However, including information about hobbies and interests can offer a unique insight into your personality while contributing to your overall suitability for the role.
So, how can you showcase your hobbies and interests on your resume effectively? In this article, we’ll explore some examples and tips to help you navigate this aspect of your job application.
Why Include Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume?
Firstly, you might be wondering why it’s essential to include personal interests on a resume. Well, it’s important to note that hiring managers and recruiters are people too! They want to get a sense of who you are as a person and whether you would fit well into their company culture. Sharing your hobbies and interests can help them build a more holistic understanding of you as a candidate beyond just your qualifications.
Additionally, hobbies and interests can demonstrate valuable skills and qualities that could be relevant to your desired role. For example, being part of a sports team demonstrates teamwork and leadership skills, while volunteering for a charity showcases your commitment to community service. Including relevant hobbies and interests can help you stand out from other applicants and give you an edge in the hiring process.
How to Include Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume:
When it comes to adding personal interests to your resume, it’s essential to strike a balance between highlighting your personality and remaining professional. Here are some tips to help you include hobbies and interests effectively:
1. Tailor your hobbies and interests to the role:
Consider the job you’re applying for and think about which hobbies and interests could be relevant to the position. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, including experience in graphic design or creative writing could demonstrate your creativity and problem-solving skills.
2. Keep it concise:
Your personal interests section should be relatively brief, so stick to the most relevant and engaging hobbies. A few bullet points can suffice in most cases.
3. Highlight Transferable Skills:
As mentioned above, personal interests can demonstrate valuable, transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Highlight these skills within the context of the relevant hobbies and interests you choose to include.
4. Be Honest:
It can be tempting to embellish or exaggerate your hobbies and interests, but honesty is always the best policy. Inflating your interests could result in complications later in the hiring process.
Example Hobbies and Interests for your Resume:
Now that we’ve explored some tips on how to approach adding personal interests to your resume, let’s take a look at some real-life examples that could help you brainstorm:
Sports and Physical Activities:
– Team sports such as football, basketball, and soccer
– Outdoor activities such as hiking and camping
– Martial arts such as karate and judo
Creative Interests:
– Painting, drawing, and other visual arts
– Writing, blogging, and freelance content creation
– Music and instrument playing
Social and Volunteer Interests:
– Volunteering at local charities and non-profits
– Organization of social events such as fundraisers and community gatherings
– Participation in activism and advocacy campaigns
Conclusion:
Including hobbies and interests on your resume can help you stand out as a candidate, showcasing your unique personal traits while also highlighting transferable skills relevant to the role. By following the above tips and highlighting relevant interests, you can make a positive impression on hiring managers and improve your chances of landing your dream job.
