How to Introduce Hobbies and Interests in Your Resume?

While applying for a job situation, Resume is an essential instrument that works towards ensuring an interview with the potential employer. A well-written resume might not be the only factor that helps one land the dream job, but it can, no doubt, create a lasting impression on the interviewer.

Apart from the introduction, academic qualifications, and relevant occupational experiences, a dedicated section towards hobbies and interests can showcase the social and cultural inclination of the candidate.

Most seasoned campaigners in the job market agree that when one is a fresher, and there is not much to write about in the ‘experience’ section, the introduction of hobbies and interests can work wonders for the Resume.

Read More: What is the Difference Between CV and Resume?

A hobby or an interest helps to highlight the relevance of the activity to the job situation. A lot of organizations and employers look to find the relevant benefits and hobbies that can be useful for the job situation. 

A person stating any team sport as a hobby is a team player and has accountability. In contrast, a person interested in community work is organized and has management and leadership skills. 

Adding the right hobbies and interests will help one to emphasize the right skillset matching the job situation. Thus, the hobbies and interests section in any resume is vital.

A few bullet points announcing the hobbies and interests might not be a good idea, nor can a paragraph describing one’s passion be considered the best way to describe them. 

So, 

• What is the best way to introduce Hobbies and Interests in the Resume? 
• Where to place them in the sheet? 
• Are there specific hobbies or interests that one must add, or are there any that must be avoided at all costs? 
• Are hobbies and interests, different? 

These are a few of the questions you answer before adding your hobbies and interests section to any resume. 

Hobbies and Interests: 

Most of us consider hobbies and interests to be synonymous, which is a misconception. 

A hobby is something that one regularly pursues during leisure. At the same time, interests are activities that one loves and pursues but are not a part of the daily or weekly routine—travelling as a hobby denotes that the person moves whenever possible.

Read More: How to Design Your Resume?

In contrast, a person listing travelling as an interest loves travelling but might not have done much going. 

One who is interested in music and plays in the local band is sure to consider music as a hobby, while one who loves listening to music and plans to take a class in music is no doubt interested in music.

Introducing Hobbies and Interests:

The ideal way to add the hobbies and interests is to make a bullet point followed by a brief descriptive note not exceeding a line or two. For example, while listing music in the hobbies section:

●   Music: Good at strumming the bass strings, play for the ‘xyz’ band during the weekends.  

A person listing community work as interest: 

●   Community work: Volunteering in community projects. Was a part of the community kitchen project organized by ‘XYZ?’

Placement of Hobbies and Interests in the Resume: 

A well-written Resume has a priority based structure. The introduction is followed by the relevant academic qualifications, job experiences, and current employment (if any). While each of these sections is well rounded off with a brief description, the hobbies and interest section is towards the end of the Resume. 

Read More: How Long Should a Resume Be?

Remember that the rule of the accepted fonts, style, size, and language applies to this section as well.

Before Adding the List of Hobbies and Interest:

• Take some time to brainstorm and make a list of all your hobbies and interests. 
• Try to highlight the qualities and traits associated with each of these entries on the list. 
• Determine the relevance of these traits with the situation applied. 
• Strikeout the irrelevant from the list 

Hobbies and Interests: 

• Team spirit, 
• leadership, 
• passion, 
• patience 

Are some of the traits that are related to many common pastimes?

These positive traits influence most of us to take up hobbies seriously. While making the list of hobbies to be added in the Resume, one has to make sure that the hobbies and interests are relevant to the situation.

 Reading can be a great hobby that imparts knowledge, cultivates patience, and lights up the imagination. Still, while applying for a situation that demands fieldwork and proactivity, it might not be a great inclusion to the list of your hobbies.

Read More: How Can You Make Your Resume Stand Out for Scholarships?

Similarly, board games might be considered above any outdoor activity if the situation applied for requires planning, foresight, and a strategic mindset.

Including the most relevant hobbies and interests in the Resume will ensure that one scores high on the compatibility scale. 

Here is a list of hobbies and interests to consider, subject to relevance.

Team sports: All outdoor team sports demand teamwork, leadership skills, fitness, and a positive attitude. These are highly valued traits in any discipline. 

Community work: An individual who is interested in community work is a social asset. It requires a sense of responsibility and hones planning and management skills. 

Athletics: Any good athlete is disciplined and has significant mental and emotional makeup. Determination, grit, and dedication are some of the traits that are associated with athletes. 

Blogging: It can be a great addition to the Resume if the area of expertise is relevant. It gives an upper hand to the applicant and draws immediate attention. 

Music: Apart from being a great leveller, it breeds creativity, independent thinking, and is considered an acquired talent. 

Travelling: Travelling is the most practical way of learning. It is a sign that the person is open-minded, has a taste for adventure, and is good at planning.  

Hobbies and Interests to avoid (at all costs): 

A hobby or interest that conveys political inclination is controversial and does not add to the overall personality that must be avoided at all costs. A person can be a diehard follower of a particular political group or might have a strong inclination towards a specific cult. Highlighting these interests in the Resume is bound to draw negative attention. 

Hobbies and Interests section in your Resume is a fleeting glimpse of your social life. Adding the relevant ones will add to your overall chances of landing the perfect job.