Early in my profession, my boyfriend (now fiancé) was serving to me write my resume. I requested to see his and observed he included private pursuits. He’s an engineer, so seeing hobbies like basketball and video video games stood out to me.
I requested him why he selected to incorporate these, and he mentioned, “I wished just a little extra personalization to my resume and wish [recruiters] to know me as an individual past a bit of paper.”
And apparently, he’s not alone. In response to a examine by Standout CV, one in 4 individuals embody hobbies and pursuits on their resumes.
Suppose you’re interested in what pursuits to place in your resume — and why — that is the article for you. We’ll additionally assessment the completely different pursuits and hobbies that may provide help to stand out within the job market.
Why You Ought to Embody Pursuits on Your Resume
Why You Ought to Embody Pursuits on Your Resume
Whereas not all the time relevant, there are a couple of eventualities when mentioning your pursuits and hobbies in your resume is sensible.
Sarah Johnston, founder and CEO of government resume writing agency Briefcase Coach, says for those who select to incorporate pursuits in your resume, concentrate on customization. “We all the time take into account the viewers and the relevancy of the extra enjoyable truth to the viewers,” she suggests.
Listed below are a couple of explanation why it is best to add your pursuits to your resume.
1. You’ll be able to showcase your persona.
Essentially the most compelling motive to incorporate pursuits in your resume is to showcase your persona. Recruiters and hiring managers assessment numerous resumes for each job position. They’re probably studying the identical abilities and related experiences again and again. What higher approach to stand out than to provide them a way of your persona proper off the bat?
In my expertise, having pursuits on my resume has led to enjoyable conversations with recruiters and hiring managers. Speaking about hobbies was an effective way to interrupt the ice (and calm my nerves) earlier than diving into the interview questions.
2. Pursuits assist with tradition match.
If the corporate you’re making use of to values uniqueness or particular persona traits, pursuits may assist talk the way you’d be a very good tradition match.
For instance, right here’s a job opening for a Senior Merchandising Supervisor at Tecovas, a direct-to-consumer western model primarily based in Austin. As a Western model promoting boots and attire, Tecovas emphasizes its mission of “welcoming first-time boot patrons and Western lovers alike.”
If you happen to take into account your self a Western fanatic and revel in actions comparable to horseback driving, it might be price mentioning that in your resume to indicate that your pursuits and experiences align with the corporate.
3. You’ll be able to match area of interest industries or roles.
Some firms function in area of interest industries and will search candidates with particular abilities or pursuits. For instance, for those who’re making use of for a advertising and marketing supervisor position at an artwork museum, the hiring supervisor would probably anticipate you to be curious about artwork or artwork historical past.
I did a fast seek for the sort of position to check this idea, and I discovered an previous job posting for a social media coordinator on the MoMA. One of many job necessities was an curiosity within the artwork and non-profit worlds.
4. You’ll increase your resume when you have restricted expertise.
All of us have to start out someplace. If you happen to’re a brand new graduate or making a profession change, you probably received’t have many related experiences to incorporate but. Itemizing your pursuits or hobbies in your resume may help an employer get to know you when you have restricted work expertise.
The secret’s to attach the dots between your pursuits and the job you’re making use of for therefore recruiters perceive the way it may help professionally. Examine the job descriptions and the corporate to get a way of their tradition and job necessities, determine how your pursuits and hobbies relate, and showcase your strengths.
For instance, sports activities can exhibit your energy in staff actions, whereas portray can showcase your creativity.
40 Pursuits for Your Resume
It’s been some time since I’ve interviewed for a full-time place, however often, I share my resume for freelance work. And once I do, I wish to make sure that it’s tailor-made to the position and firm to extend my possibilities of standing out.
I put collectively a latest resume utilizing one among HubSpot’s resume templates.
I added an pursuits part that displays my present work and is related to the varieties of firms I wish to work with. Listed below are the hobbies and pursuits I included.
1. Pilates
I attend Pilates courses at the very least twice per week (it helps that my sister is an teacher!), and it’s all the time the very best a part of my day. As a author, I’m sitting in entrance of my laptop computer display for hours, so Pilates helps me get a break from my desk.
Why it really works: Committing to an everyday train routine — whether or not yoga, working, and even strolling — showcases a wholesome work-life stability.
2. Residence Renovations
If you recognize my fiancé and me, then you recognize we love tackling residence renovation initiatives. We aren’t shy about taking a sledgehammer to our cupboards or reconfiguring our home format to create one thing completely our personal.
Why it really works: In my expertise, that is often an ideal dialog starter throughout interviews. Persons are curious about listening to concerning the course of, primarily as a result of we do the work ourselves to economize (for higher or worse).
3. Classic Amassing
On any given weekend, you could find me at a thrift retailer or an property sale. I like looking for distinctive objects and hidden gems and giving them a second life.
Why it really works: I’ve discovered that this matter is one other icebreaker. If I’m speaking to somebody who additionally enjoys classic procuring, we often swap tales concerning the varieties of objects we gather and the place to search out them.
4. E-book Golf equipment
A number of years in the past, I began my very own e-book membership right here in Austin. We learn nonfiction books on enterprise, creativity, and entrepreneurship, comparable to Elizabeth Gilbert’s Massive Magic and Essentialism by Greg McKeown. As soon as a month, we’d meet up at a neighborhood enterprise to share what we realized from the e-book.
Why it really works: This interest demonstrates my curiosity in persevering with schooling and my eagerness to arrange occasions (on a small scale) since I created the group and deliberate every little thing myself.
5. Small Companies
I used to jot down for a neighborhood journal masking way of life subjects, comparable to the place to buy and eat round city. The very best half was interviewing small enterprise house owners, attending to know their day-to-day routines and motivations, and sharing their tales.
Why it really works: This curiosity works for my resume as a result of I now write for firms whose viewers contains small enterprise house owners. I can use my enthusiasm and information of small companies to tell my writing.
These pursuits are particular to my expertise and related to the varieties of roles I’d be curious about pursuing sooner or later.
If these aren’t a match for you, listed here are another pursuits to think about including to your resume.
6. Sports activities
As I discussed, my fiancé enjoys taking part in sports activities like basketball and golf. He’s often a part of leagues with each colleagues and non-work teams alike. Together with this on his resume demonstrates his enthusiasm for staff actions and camaraderie.
What we like: If you happen to’re an energetic sports activities staff or neighborhood league member, add it to the pursuits part in your resume to showcase your teamwork outdoors of labor.
7. Images
I used to be scrolling by X (previously Twitter) once I noticed that senior product supervisor Diego Granados shared the resume he used to land a job at Microsoft in 2019.
Within the pursuits part, he included iPhone images, video video games and taking part in musical devices like saxophone and guitar.
What we like: Images is a interest that demonstrates an curiosity on the earth round you. You’ll be able to even get particular and listing the kind of images you’re curious about, like iPhone, movie, or product images.
8. Group Service
Early in my profession, as I used to be constructing my resume, I relied on my earlier volunteer experiences to exhibit my completely different abilities and pursuits. I used to be an energetic member of a volunteer group in school and even did some volunteer social media work for nonprofits after graduating.
What we like: Including volunteer work to your pursuits part in your resume can exhibit your ardour for particular causes. That is particularly useful if the trigger is related to the corporate or job you’re making use of to.
9. Portray
Hobbies like portray or drawing are an effective way to train creativity and exhibit your inventive abilities.
What we like: Whether or not you’re making use of to a inventive job or not, inventive hobbies may help enhance your creativity at work.
10. Baking
My good friend Micah Peterson, an online designer and developer, was a baker in a earlier life and contains “baker by interest, developer by commerce” on his resume.
He explains that together with this curiosity on his resume has helped kind lasting impressions throughout interviews.
“As soon as, once I was being interviewed, [my baking interest] led to a dialog concerning the interviewer’s son, who was additionally a baker,” he mentioned. “The interviewer admired that about his son, so I believe it left an enduring impression on him.”
What we like: If you happen to’ve ever had a profession pivot, embrace it by together with it within the pursuits part in your resume. It’s an attention-grabbing dialog starter, however for those who can join your expertise to the position you’re making use of for, that’s even higher.
11. Studying
Perhaps you’re in a e-book membership like I used to be or get pleasure from studying challenges. Or maybe you’re energetic on #BookTok, the large subcommunity on TikTok devoted to sharing and reviewing books.
Why it really works: One instance of a job the place this curiosity may intersect with a job you’re interviewing for is a social media place. Mentioning your curiosity in studying, and particularly #BookTok, demonstrates your information of present social media communities.
12. Video Video games
I’ve seen a number of individuals embody video video games as a interest on their resume, together with my fiancé and Diego Granados, whose resume I shared above.
What we like: Video video games can exhibit curiosity and information in a number of components, from the technical points of the gaming system to the visible points discovered within the graphics to the technique that goes into the sport.
13. Writing
Do you get pleasure from writing in your free time? Whether or not you like writing fiction, poetry, or blogs, these abilities will probably translate to no matter position you’re making use of for.
In response to GMAC’s 2023 Company Recruiters Survey, communication and writing abilities are among the many most in-demand abilities employers search for when hiring.
What we like: Writing will all the time be an important talent within the office, so this can be a timeless curiosity to incorporate in your resume.
14. Graphic design
In response to Upwork, graphic design is one among essentially the most in-demand abilities for freelancers. Even for those who’re not pursuing freelance work, this knowledge proves the necessity for this talent amongst firms of all sizes.
What we like: You probably have graphic design abilities, even when this isn’t the main target of your position, it could actually increase your resume.
15. Animals
Sure, the furry pals in your life will be included as an curiosity in your resume. Whether or not you volunteer at a neighborhood animal shelter or are a proud pet proprietor, there are methods to say this whereas preserving your resume skilled.
Johnston, who works with a few of the world’s high leaders at her government resume writing agency, remembers when she’s seen pets efficiently talked about as an curiosity.
“I do know a job seeker who utilized for a job with Purina Company,” she recollects. “They listed on the backside of their resume that they’re a ‘proud canine dad to 2 golden retrievers,’ and the recruiter apparently liked this!”
Professional tip: This curiosity works properly when the corporate you’re interviewing for is within the pet or animal {industry}.
16. Nonprofits
Like neighborhood service, an curiosity in nonprofits demonstrates your dedication to particular causes or communities.
Professional tip: Solely embody this as an curiosity for those who’re genuinely concerned in particular nonprofits or volunteer work.
17. Entrepreneurship
Do you wish to begin your personal enterprise sometime? Are you a go-getter with a progress mindset? Entrepreneurship in all probability comes naturally to you, which makes it price together with as an curiosity in your resume.
What we like: Having an entrepreneurial mindset will be the important thing to success as a salesman or at a startup.
18. Music
Making use of to a place within the music {industry}? It is sensible to showcase your style in music, whether or not you’re making use of to a competition manufacturing firm, a recording studio, or a streaming platform like Spotify.
If you happen to’re perpetually on-line like I’m, chances are you’ll keep in mind seeing this inventive resume make its rounds on LinkedIn and Twitter (now X) again in 2021:
The Spotify-themed resume was created by product supervisor Emily Vu, who finally landed a job on the music streaming platform due to her creativity.
What we like: As if the Spotify-branded design format wasn’t inventive sufficient, Vu added an pursuits part that known as out her music pursuits. This additional demonstrated her enthusiasm and information of the {industry}.
19. Artwork Historical past
Whether or not you went to highschool for artwork historical past or you’ve gotten a powerful curiosity and information of the topic, together with this in your resume can exhibit that you simply’re well-rounded.
Why this works: If you happen to work in a inventive area, particularly for those who’re making use of for a job within the artwork world, mentioning your curiosity within the arts is a good suggestion.
20. Tenting
Anybody who’s been tenting is aware of how a lot preparation and work is concerned. From establishing your tent to making ready your meals to connecting along with your pure environment, tenting demonstrates an adventurous persona.
What we like: If you happen to’ve been tenting earlier than, likelihood is you’ve gotten a comic story concerning the expertise, which might make for a very good icebreaker.
21. Instructing
If you happen to educate courses associated to your job position, it could possibly be a good suggestion to listing that in your resume.
As an example, do you educate coding courses throughout evenings and weekends? This will exhibit your deep understanding of the position and dedication to furthering the {industry}.
What we like: An curiosity in instructing can set you up for a coaching or instructing position inside your organization. If you happen to’re curious about pursuing this sooner or later, don’t hesitate to incorporate your instructing expertise in your resume.
22. Journey
An curiosity in journey will be particularly related for those who work at a distributed firm that values journey and encourages its staff to see the world.
Advertising marketing consultant Anna Crowe created an “About Me” part on her digital resume to say her curiosity in touring to nationwide parks.
What we like: Journey demonstrates openness to studying about completely different cultures and an adventurous persona.
23. Climbing
Like tenting, mountaineering can exhibit a way of journey. You don’t must verify Mount Kilimanjaro off your listing to think about your self a hiker.
What we like: If mountaineering is your interest, this is usually a nice dialog starter throughout an interview. You’ll be able to point out any important hikes you’ve accomplished, which might result in thrilling tales between you and your interviewer.
24. Working
Nearly 50 million individuals within the U.S. take into account themselves runners and 115 million are walkers, in response to Statista. Translation? These fashionable actions are relatable pursuits to incorporate in your resume.
What we like: Being a constant runner speaks to your dedication and coaching routine.
25. Persevering with Schooling
There are such a lot of on-line studying alternatives accessible in the present day. Whether or not you wish to study a brand new language, how to attract, or the way to grasp website positioning, there’s a web based course for it.
To not point out, 62% of firms provide skilled improvement as a part of their advantages package deal, in response to the GMAC Company Recruiters Survey. If persevering with schooling is important to you, it’s price mentioning for those who’re interviewing with an organization that provides this as a part of the job.
Why this works: An curiosity in persevering with schooling exhibits dedication to studying new abilities and topics.
26. Inside Design
You probably have a watch for inside design, don’t hesitate to say it in your resume. You can even showcase your abilities over a video interview by displaying your completely designed setup within the background.
What we like: Having design abilities can translate throughout many roles.
27. Digital Group
Do you employ mission administration apps to handle every little thing from work duties to grocery procuring? A ardour for planning and dedication to organizing can go a good distance in any position.
What we like: Bonus factors for those who create and share group templates like this Notion creator does.
28. Actual Property
Other than the plain industries like actual property or mortgage lending, there are different roles that an curiosity in actual property may benefit from.
For instance, in case you are making use of for a job within the private finance {industry}, your curiosity in actual property may exhibit an intimate information of one of many greatest purchases the typical purchaser will make of their lifetime.
What we like: Some pursuits, like actual property, exhibit your cross-industry information, which will be helpful for those who apply to jobs in enterprise, advertising and marketing, or gross sales.
29. Cooking
Do you’ve gotten a meals weblog? Take part in cooking competitions? If cooking is a major interest of yours, there’s a spot for it in your resume.
What we like: Like baking, cooking can exhibit persistence and creativity.
30. AI and machine studying
Pursuits don’t all the time must be hobbies. Pursuits embody topics you’re curious about studying extra about or are increasing your information on, like AI.
Having an curiosity in expertise like machine studying may also put you in a greater place for future roles. These are the abilities employers consider are a very powerful for the long run, in response to the GMAC Company Recruiters Survey.
What we like: Displaying an curiosity in sure applied sciences demonstrates adaptiveness and a dedication to studying.
31. Private Finance
I do know a couple of individuals who have completed main monetary achievements — like paying off their pupil mortgage debt inside a 12 months or saving as much as purchase a home — who now share their suggestions with others on-line.
What we like: If you happen to’ve completed one thing related and often share your ideas and recommendations on social media or by a weblog, this may be a superb curiosity so as to add to your resume to exhibit your thought management.
32. Distant Work
If you happen to take into account your self a digital nomad or are captivated with distant work, you’ll be able to add that as an curiosity to your resume. This will additionally showcase your want to work remotely and assist join you to the fitting employers.
Whereas distant work could also be extra widespread than in years previous, some individuals and corporations have advocated for the digital nomad way of life for a very long time. For instance, Buffer has been a totally distant and distributed staff since 2013.
Why this works: This curiosity doubles as a job choice on your resume.
33. Studying Languages
Studying a brand new language is usually a problem. Nevertheless, a dedication to learning and working towards a overseas language is price mentioning in your resume.
It showcases your pursuits. Plus, relying in your talent degree, understanding a number of languages may also be an asset to any staff.
What we like: Studying languages exhibits dedication to studying and an openness to completely different cultures.
34. Podcasting
It’s estimated that there might be over three million energetic podcasts in 2023. If you happen to host one among them, take into account mentioning it in your resume.
You won’t wish to embody your podcast’s actual title or style, relying on what your podcast is about. But when it’s one thing related to your {industry}, add it.
What we like: Plenty of creativity, expertise, and advertising and marketing goes into creating your personal podcast. These abilities may help increase your resume for those who work in advertising and marketing or communications, for example.
35. Internet Design
In response to Upwork, internet design and improvement are each in-demand abilities for unbiased professionals. If you happen to’ve been exploring internet design in your free time, take into account together with it as a interest in your resume, even for those who aren’t planning on pursuing freelance work.
What we like: This curiosity can double as a talent when you have a variety of information and experience on the topic.
36. Attending Conferences
If you happen to get pleasure from networking occasions and attending {industry} conferences, this counts as an curiosity to incorporate in your resume.
Why this works: If you happen to’re making use of for a gross sales place, your potential employer will probably be impressed that you simply get pleasure from networking in your free time.
37. Standup Comedy
Most of us love to look at comedy exhibits, however pursuing standup comedy as a interest is a very completely different story — one which’s far more attention-grabbing. If you happen to observe comedy, this may exhibit creativity, braveness, and the power to not take your self too critically.
What we like: Together with standup comedy as an curiosity will result in attention-grabbing (and humorous) conversations throughout an interview.
38. Content material Creation
Do you like creating cooking movies to share on TikTok? Or perhaps you typically put up UGC (user-generated content material) on Instagram to showcase manufacturers you like.
Content material creators have abilities in images, advertising and marketing, and social media, which might all be interesting abilities within the eyes of an interviewer or recruiter.
What we like: Being a content material creator can increase your resume for those who’re in search of advertising and marketing and social media jobs.
39. Gardening
There’s one thing peaceable about getting your palms soiled, planting seeds, and watering flowers. Gardening is a calming pastime and is a superb weekend exercise to partake in.
What we like: Gardening can exhibit persistence and humbleness.
40. DIY Tasks
Much like my curiosity in residence renovations, I additionally get pleasure from any kind of DIY mission. I often discover inspiration for a house decor DIY on Pinterest or Instagram and spend a weekend placing my very own spin on it.
What we like: An curiosity in DIY initiatives showcases creativity, dedication, and a way of individualism.
Showcasing your pursuits in your resume is a inventive approach to give recruiters and interviewers a greater sense of who you might be.
Not solely do pursuits let individuals know what you get pleasure from outdoors of labor, however in addition they give employers an concept of how these pursuits translate into your work.
