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Does your Resume include Hobbies & Interests?

If you answered in the negative, then read on because this blog post is important for you. Especially if you are seeking a job or career change and need to add value to your Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

The Hobbies and Interests section in the Resume or Curriculum Vitae is often neglected by the job seeker focusing more on work experience and career achievements.

However, this section can play an important role in giving you the edge in landing the job you are pursuing.

This section provides you with the opportunity to showcase your personal side to the interviewer. It also indicates that you do have a life outside of the workplace and are a balanced person.

In some situations, like a first-time job where you don’t have enough work experience or if you have been out of work for some time, including your hobbies and interests can add value to your resume.

Then there are times when it would be provident not to include your hobbies and interests because it might give the wrong message or isn’t required.

What we mean by hobbies and interests 

A hobby by its very nature is an activity that you do in your leisure time. It is something that you’re doing outside of educational and work activities. It might lead to developing a skill that can be transferred to a job description requirement or quality that an employer is seeking.

For example, painting or candle-making hobbies require an eye for detail and patience. They also require creativity. These skills are valuable in the corporate setting too.   

Interests on the other hand are topics that you find interesting and are willing to spend time learning more about them.

For example, traveling, adult education and animal welfare might be topics that interest you and you spend time traveling to new destinations or volunteer your time to organizations that deal with your topic of interest.

What your Hobbies and Interests can reveal about your other skills and talents

There is always a chance that your interests might be shared by the potential employer in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program. In this case, you would provide value to them along with all the other professional skills you possess.

For example, during my consulting and corporate world days, my interest in Tiger Conservation and children’s education matched that of one of my client’s. They had projects in both areas as part of their CSR initiatives.

I got the prestigious assignment because I had an edge over other equally well-qualified candidates who didn’t possess the passion, interest or additional knowledge about those areas.

Sometimes you don’t need to be an expert in an area but need to be well informed.

Done correctly, the right mix of hobbies and interests demonstrates you are a well-rounded individual.

It gives the interviewer a chance to ask you more questions about yourself and the inherent qualities that you bring to the organization apart from your professional skills. 

Are you interested in helping out at the local community centre on weekends? Or support a local charity for fund raising? 

Don’t miss the opportunity to show case your achievement. It demonstrates your Time Management skills as well as civic mindedness.

Remember, not every activity we do requires remuneration. I discuss this more in Putting Unpaid and Volunteer Work in Your Resume.

Taking part in a walkathon and raising funds for an animal shelter is no small achievement. It points to your other talents, attributes and your personality.

An unusual hobby like candle-making or origami would create an interest. It would also demonstrate skills of focus, creativity and problem solving. 

You would also get a quick feel if the interviewer has read your Resume if you are asked about it especially since the location of this section would be towards the end of the Resume.

Do’s and Don’ts of including Hobbies and Interests in the Resume

You need to adapt this precious document to target the position and company that you wish to work for.

You may have 10 different hobbies but not all are required to be put in your Resume. Instead, research the company first. See if these hobbies or interests are relevant to the position and company as signs of non-technical skills or aptitudes.

3 reasons for including your hobbies and interests:

• The application form specifically asks for this information
• You’re new to the workforce, lack sufficient work experience
• Your hobbies and interests give you skills that are relevant relate to the company and/or position

There are times when you shouldn’t include these items in your Resume.  This would be when it is detrimental to your primary goal of getting the job interview invitation or may invite discrimination.

Companies may state they are equal opportunity employers or anti-discrimination but remember, your resume is being looked at by another individual. Their interpretation of company policies might inadvertently go against you.

3 reasons for leaving out hobbies and interests would be:

• Unless relevant to the job you’re applying for, leave out hobbies that reveal your politics, religion, ethnicity or age. Anything that opens up a chance for discrimination is to be avoided.  
• Including the hobbies means leaving off some important information about your career or prior experience
• You’re aware your hobby or interest conflicts with the company’s culture or values

As with all other areas of your Resume/Curriculum Vitae, make sure that you are being honest and truthful. You need to be able to elaborate on the activity if asked a question at the interview.

How should you showcase your talents and skills that are different from your professional credentials?

Key points to consider while drafting this section of your Resume would include:

• Give it a separate title like Additional Professional Activities and Competencies or a simple Hobbies, Interests and other Achievements
• Make sure that it is short and to the point
• Think of 2-3 achievements where you have actually added value to yourself and others that also showcase your talents

I used to mention having played elephant polo in my Resume years ago. During an interview for the position of a Finance Manager with a reputed MNC, I was asked about it and what I learned from elephant polo.

My happy ending was landing the job as I also had the required skill sets and references. Seems the interviewer saw more to me than met the eye!

Learn how to craft a CV or Resume that showcases you in the best light in front of recruiters and potential employers with my CV tips.

Click on the below image and download your copy today.

What about you? Have your hobbies and interests helped you to get to the next stage of the interview process or land a job?