Hobbies For Resume I 55+ Examples For All Candidates

When you’re applying for a job, hobbies and interests are bound to make it to your resumes and interviews. But how do you pick the hobbies for resume? And what sets them apart from an area of interest in resume? Let's find out. 

Hobbies and Interests: Meaning

Hobbies are fun ways to spend time and relax after a long day at work. They give us a chance to explore interests outside of work or in our spare time and develop skills that can be applied to other areas of life. On the other hand, interests refer to topics or areas that capture your curiosity and spark a desire to explore and gain knowledge. They often involve a deep passion for learning and discovering new ideas, concepts, and information.

Read ahead to understand the importance of hobbies and interests in a resume. Also, explore some interesting ways of listing hobbies for resume. 

Also Read: Reply Aptly To 'What Are Your Hobbies?' In A Job Interview

Interests And Hobbies For Resume: Importance

During a job search, a resume is critical for creating your first impression. It paints your profile in front of the recruiter and helps to highlight your professional skills, educational experience, and achievements.

A hobby helps the recruiter in knowing a different dimension of your personality. It helps them to understand you better, and can even be an indication of soft skills like multitasking, problem-solving, etc. So you may be a proficient coder, but telling the recruiter that you are a trained dancer or love solving jigsaw puzzles, will surely fetch you brownie points.

But, when to include hobbies and interests in resume?

It is best to include a hobby section in your resume if you have no or less work experience - as can be the case when you’re applying for an internship or your first job. This helps to divert the attention of the hiring manager towards other traits of your personality. However, this section must be kept concise.

Using the hobbies and interests in resume with caution

Adding a relevant hobby and field of interest in resume may highlight your profile. However, there are cases where one can do away with this section. For example, if you are someone with many years of professional experience, you may want to skip this section.

This is because you already have many additional skills, job roles, and qualifications to list on your resume. If you add the hobbies section on top of it, you may have to cancel out or shorten an important section from your resume.

Difference Between Interests & Hobbies For Resume 

Both hobbies and interests are activities that can be creative or intellectual or both, in nature. Both can also be done individually, or in a group. So what sets them apart?

Hobbies are things that we do regularly. Interests are things that we want to do more often. For example, we might be interested in traveling but we don't do it very often.

Let’s understand the 5 key differences between hobbies and interests:

Note: When it comes to the list of hobbies and interests in resume, you can mention them separately. There is no hard and fast rule regarding it; it depends on how much information you want to provide about yourself.

Interests And Hobbies For Resume: Benefits 

Following are the benefits of having a hobbies and interests resume section:

• To highlight different personality traits.
• To show off your skills and talents.
• To demonstrate your willingness to learn new things.
• To exhibit positive traits, such as adaptability, creativity, innovation, or other traits showcased by your hobby.
• To showcase non-technical knowledge.
• To showcase your ability to balance work with personal interests.

Recruiters want to hire people who have a vast range of interests and hobbies. Hiring employees with rich and interesting areas of interest can help lighten up the workplace and possibly even increase employee productivity.

Examples Of Hobbies For Resume With Explanation

You may have a variety of hobbies. But when adding them to your resume, you can strategically list your hobbies depending on the type of job you're looking for. Here are some best hobbies for resume that you can choose from:

1. Volunteering and community involvement

Volunteering and community involvement are great ways to develop important skills and demonstrate positive traits to potential employers. In addition to leadership and organizational skills, volunteering can also help individuals develop teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Volunteering can also provide individuals with valuable networking opportunities and the chance to gain experience in areas they may be interested in pursuing as a career. Additionally, volunteering can help individuals feel more fulfilled and engaged in their community, which can lead to improved mental health and well-being.

2. Travel

Traveling can demonstrate important workplace traits such as adaptability and flexibility. When you travel, you are often exposed to new cultures, people, and situations that require you to think on your feet and adapt to unfamiliar environments. These experiences can help you develop problem-solving skills, learn to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and become more open-minded and creative in your approach.

3. Writing & Blogging

Writing and blogging are great ways to showcase your written communication skills, which are essential in any workplace. Writing novels or scientific papers can demonstrate your ability to write in a clear and concise manner, as well as your creativity and research skills. Blogging, on the other hand, can show your ability to connect with an audience, create engaging content, and build an online presence. So writing as a hobby can be valuable for any career path.

4. Yoga

Practicing yoga can improve your physical and mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase your overall well-being. Studies have shown that yoga can improve cognitive function and creativity, which can be beneficial in the workplace. Additionally, practicing yoga can improve your posture, balance, and flexibility, which can help prevent injuries and improve your overall physical health.

5. Podcasting

Podcasting can be a great way to showcase your knowledge and expertise in a particular industry or field. It allows you to reach a wider audience and connect with thought leaders and influencers in your industry. Additionally, producing a podcast requires strong organizational skills, as you need to plan and prepare content, schedule guests, and manage the production process. Overall, podcasting can be a critical addition to your skill set and can help you stand out in the job market.

6. Music

Music has been shown to have numerous cognitive and emotional benefits. Learning to play an instrument can improve hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and spatial-temporal skills. It also requires practice and persistence, which can improve discipline and perseverance. Listening to music has been linked to improved mood, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased cognitive function, including memory and attention.

7. Learning Languages

Learning a new language is a great way to enhance cognitive abilities and can also be a desirable asset in the workplace, particularly in fields that require frequent communication in foreign languages with individuals from different countries and cultures. In addition to the benefits you mentioned, learning a new language can also improve one's ability to multitask, increase creativity, and improve cultural awareness and sensitivity. It can also lead to new job opportunities and career advancement.

8. Dancing

Dancing can be a great way to improve social skills and build relationships, both of which are important in many workplaces. Additionally, dancing has been shown to enhance cognition by improving memory, attention, and creativity. 

9. Photography

Photography involves a lot of creativity and technical knowledge, such as understanding lighting and composition. It also requires collaboration when working with models or clients, as well as post-processing teams. Photography can help develop skills in communication, project management, and creative problem-solving.

10. Sports

Sports can be a great way to develop important soft skills and interpersonal skills that are highly valued in the workplace. Whether it's an individual sport or a team sport, the discipline, dedication, and perseverance required to improve and succeed can translate well into the workplace. For team sports, the collaboration, communication, and leadership skills that are necessary for success can be directly applicable to many work environments.

11. Reading

Reading can help improve vocabulary, communication, and critical thinking skills, which are all valuable in the workplace. Additionally, it can be a great way to unwind and de-stress after a busy day.

Comprehensive List Of Hobbies For Resume

Here is a comprehensive list of hobbies and interests that you can pick from:

Artistic Interests:

1. Painting
2. Drawing
3. Sculpting
4. Calligraphy
5. Pottery
6. Jewelry making
7. Standup Comedy
8. Theatre
9. Spoken Poetry
10. Improv

Reading and Writing Hobbies:

1. Poetry writing
2. Book club participation
3. Blogging (Short-form and long-form)
4. Journaling
5. Scriptwriting
6. Book reviewing
7. Movie reviewing

Organization Hobbies:

1. Decluttering and organizing spaces
2. Event planning
3. Bullet journaling
4. Time management techniques
5. Digital file organization
6. Meal planning and prepping
7. Feng shui

Sports Hobbies:

1. Running/jogging
2. Swimming
3. Tennis
4. Cycling
5. Basketball
6. Hiking
7. Cricket

Finance Hobbies:

1. Stock market investing
2. Budgeting and personal finance management
3. Cryptocurrency trading
4. Real estate investing
5. Tax planning and optimization
6. Financial literacy education
7. Business development and entrepreneurship

Other hobbies

1. Baking
2. Gardening
3. Stamp Collection
4. Coding
5. Astronomy
6. Acting
7. Quizzing

Job-Relevant Hobbies And Interests For Resumes

Here’s a look at certain hobbies and interests relevant to a particular role:

Selecting Interests And Hobbies For Resume: Points To Remember

Here are some points to keep in mind when picking hobbies for resume:

• Tailor the hobbies to the position: It's important to tailor your resume to the position you're applying for by including hobbies and skills that are relevant to the job.
• Display different aspects of your personality: When it comes to listing hobbies, it's best to choose a balanced mix that showcases different aspects of your personality.
• Avoid controversial hobbies: Avoid listing hobbies that are too political or controversial, and limit the number to two or three max, placing them towards the bottom of your resume. While it may seem risky, including unique and unusual hobbies can be attractive hobbies for resume. They can help you stand out from other applicants. 
• Strike a balance: You must remember that it is important to strike a balance between showcasing your interests and highlighting your technical skills and abilities. Your resume should prioritize the latter while keeping hobbies and personal interests to a minimum.
• Prioritize the list of hobbies and interests: When listing your hobbies and interests in resume, it's best to prioritize the most important ones by starting with the top three or four. You can add additional hobbies later if you wish, but keep the information brief and relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Be honest: Be honest about your hobbies and avoid listing false ones just to meet the recruiter's criteria. This may come across as insincere and could harm your chances if you're caught later. It's better to focus on genuine hobbies that showcase your personality and skills, and demonstrate how they relate to the position you're applying for.

Remember: An unintentional mistake can hamper even the most well-crafted resumes. Thus, avoid using words that could be interpreted as controversial or sensitive or reflect antisocial behavior. Be mindful of using language that could offend others.

While it's true that senior professionals may choose to omit the hobbies section from their resumes, for freshers it is important to include hobbies and interests that are relevant to the position you're applying for.

Summing up

Including hobbies and interests in resume can help show your personality outside of work. When including hobbies on your resume, choose activities that demonstrate skills or qualities that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires teamwork, you may want to highlight any team sports you regularly participate in. Similarly, if the job requires any artistic activities, you could mention hobbies such as writing, painting, or photography.

Hobbies can also indicate your level of dedication and commitment, as well as your ability to manage time and prioritize activities. However, it's important to keep the hobbies section brief and relevant to the job and avoid listing activities that may be controversial or divisive.

Suggested Reads:

1. What Challenges Are You Looking For In A Position? 4 Tips To Answer This Interview Question
2. How To Answer "What Does Teamwork Mean To You?" In A Job Interview
3. 10 Essential Skills To Put In Resume For IT Freshers
4. Must-Have Skills For Resumes: The Complete Guide (100+ Examples)
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