The Importance of Including Hobbies and Interests in Your CV
Your curriculum vitae, commonly known as a CV, is your gateway to getting a job. It’s the first thing potential employers will look at before deciding to grant you an interview. Since it’s an essential document, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s well-tailored, relevant, and effective. Most people focus on highlighting their skills, education, and work experience, but have you ever thought about including your hobbies and interests in your CV?
Why Include Hobbies and Interests in Your CV?
The goal of including hobbies and interests in your CV is to show potential employers that you’re more than just your work experience. Doing so makes you a well-rounded person with unique skills and interests that extend beyond your professional responsibilities. Employers like to see that candidates have passions and hobbies because it tells them how well-rounded and interesting the candidate is. It provides a deeper understanding of the person behind the CV.
Moreover, your hobbies and interests can highlight specific skills that would be invaluable to your potential employer. For instance, if you enjoy playing team sports, it shows that you have excellent teamwork skills. Similarly, if you like hiking, it demonstrates that you have a sense of adventure and are willing to take risks. If you participate in volunteering activities in your community, it showcases your passion for helping others, which would also help build your personal brand.
Examples of Hobbies and Interests to Include in a CV
While any hobby or interest can be included in a CV, it should be relevant to the job you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for a job in environmental conservation, mentioning that you enjoy nature walks and bird watching would be more relevant than sharing a love of video games. Here are other examples of interests and hobbies that might be relevant depending on your field:
- Programming and coding for tech-related jobs.
- Reading and writing for Journalism or content creation roles.
- Social media management for marketing or PR jobs.
- Photography or design for creative positions.
While it’s essential to showcase your unique hobbies and interests on your CV, it’s equally important to keep them professional and appropriate. Always avoid mentioning anything controversial or that may spark a political or religious debate.
Conclusion
Including hobbies and interests on your CV is a great way to showcase your personality and what makes you unique. It gives employers a glimpse of who you are outside of work, making you more memorable and relatable. However, it’s crucial to ensure that your interests and hobbies align with the job you’re applying for, and keep them professional and appropriate. Finally, including hobbies and interests should not replace the essential aspects of your CV such as work experience, education, and skills. Instead, they should complement them, highlighting your strengths and making you stand out from other candidates.
