The ‘Hobbies and Interests’ section of a CV packs more of a wallop than you may think. Some people include it, thinking it isn’t that important. Others omit it altogether. Then some make a real hash of it! There’s more to this part of your CV than meets the eye. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider which interests to put on your CV and to understand what they say about you.
You may be tempted to skip this part of your CV because it says nothing about your skills and experience. Hold it right there! Although your hobbies and interests section doesn’t seem to be directly linked to your ability to do a job, it’s something employers like to see. There are a number of reasons for this, including the following.
Employers hire people, not robots
Your hobbies and interests say a lot about who you are. They give employers or recruiters a snapshot of your personality, which is important. No one will hire someone they don’t like or an individual that won’t gel with the team.
The interests you put on your CV say a lot about your skills and attributes
For instance, if you coach a sports team, it shows you have leadership skills. If you write a blog, you clearly have great communication skills and self-motivation. Volunteering shows that you are caring and a good citizen. Employers can learn a lot about what you offer as a professional from your hobbies and interests CV section. That’s why it’s so important to include.
As you can see, the hobbies and interests section of your CV isn’t to be underestimated or overlooked! That being said, since it has more power than you initially thought, you need to be careful when considering which interests to put on your CV. Think about the skills and attributes you need to be successful in the type of role you are applying for. Then consider your hobbies and interests, do they paint a picture of someone who is perfect for the job? Only include hobbies that make you look good in the eyes of an employer!
Interests to put on your CV
The following interests may be something that you want to include on your CV:
- Adventure sports
- Animals/Pets
- Cinema/Theatre
- Cooking
- Fitness
- Gaming
- Golf
- Music
- Politics
- Reading
- Socialising with friends
- Swimming
- Team sports
- Technology/Gadgets
- Travelling
- Volunteering
- Walking
If you’re unsure what your hobbies and interests say about you to an employer, take our quiz and click on your interests to find out!