To Include or Not to Include? Should You Put Hobbies and Interests on a Resume?
Job applicants are often told that they need to showcase their personality as well as their qualifications on their resumes. This leads many people to wonder whether it’s appropriate to include hobbies and personal interests, or whether they should stick to strictly professional information.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of including personal information on your resume. We’ll provide well-researched facts and insight to help you decide whether or not to include your hobbies and interests on your resume.
Pros of Including Hobbies and Interests on a Resume
1. Personal touch: By including hobbies and interests, candidates can show off their personality and display a unique, personal touch to their resume – something that could set them apart from other applicants. Hiring managers may also find it easier to connect with candidates if they share common interests.
2. Relevant expertise: Personal interests can indicate relevant expertise in a particular field. For example, a candidate who includes ‘photography’ as a hobby may be perceived as suitable for a graphic design role.
3. Transferable skills: Hobbies and interests are not just for personal fulfillment. Many can demonstrate transferable skills valuable in the workplace. For instance, a candidate who mentions ‘team sports’ is believed to have teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
Cons of Including Hobbies and Interests on a Resume
1. Takes up valuable space: A resume should be kept to a maximum of 2 pages, and listing too many hobbies and interests could use up valuable space that could be used to showcase qualifications and experience.
2. Irrelevant hobbies: Including irrelevant interests can make a candidate seem unprofessional and distract recruiters from the vital information on the resume. For example, a candidate who lists ‘binge watching Netflix’ as a hobby may not be taken seriously.
3. Cultural and religious associations: Some hobbies and interests may reveal personal information that is not appropriate for a job candidate to share on their resume, like political or religious affiliation or even potential biases.
When to Include Hobbies and Interests on a Resume
If relevant, hobbies and personal interests should be kept to a minimum, and the focus should be mainly on the qualifications and experience that make the candidate fit for the job. Personal interests related to the job can be included to show enthusiasm and commitment to a particular industry. Certain hobbies and interests can also portray transferable skills like leadership or teamwork, which can beautifully complement a candidate’s other qualifications.
When to Avoid Including Hobbies and Interests on a Resume
If it’s not relevant to the job, it’s best not to include it. A good rule of thumb is to stick to pastimes that add value to the candidate’s resume and showcase their unique personality without coming across as amateurish. Candidates should also make sure their hobbies won’t be misinterpreted in any negative way.
Conclusion
Whether or not to include hobbies and interests on a resume is a hotly debated topic among recruiters and candidates alike. Including personal information can set a candidate apart from others and help recruiters see them as a well-rounded personality. However, it’s essential to keep in mind the job’s nature and judge whether certain personal interests will be taken positively or negatively before adding them. In summary, while it’s not necessary to include hobbies and interests on a resume, it can provide a unique look into the applicant’s personality, but should be done with care and caution.
