How to List Hobbies and Interests on a Resume

Wondering if you should include hobbies and interests on your resume? You’re not alone. When used wisely, they can be a great way to show a bit of your personality, stand out from the crowd, and even highlight some valuable soft skills that employers look for. In fact, listing the right hobbies can help make your resume more memorable—and might just give you the edge you need to land that interview.

What We'll Cover in This Article

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about effectively including hobbies and interests on your resume:

1. Whether you should include hobbies and interests on your resume
2. The difference between hobbies and interests (and why it matters)
3. When to include (and when to skip) hobbies and interests on your resume
4. The 15 best hobbies and interests to put on your resume (with examples)
5. How to properly list hobbies and interests on your resume for maximum impact
6. Common mistakes to avoid when including hobbies and interests
7. Industry-specific recommendations for hobbies and interests on your resume

By the end of this article, you'll know exactly how to leverage your hobbies and interests on your resume to impress hiring managers and land more interviews.

Should You Include Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should include hobbies and interests on your resume. It depends on several factors.

If you're a seasoned professional with years of relevant experience, you might not need a hobbies and interests section. Your work history, skills, and qualifications likely already fill your one-page resume and effectively differentiate you from other candidates.

As a general rule: if adding hobbies and interests would push your resume onto a second page, leave them out.

However, hobbies and interests on your resume can be extremely valuable if:

1. You're a recent graduate with limited work experience
2. You're changing careers and need to show transferable skills
3. You have employment gaps you want to explain
4. The company culture heavily emphasizes employee personality and fit
5. Your hobbies and interests directly relate to the job you're applying for

Before deciding whether to include hobbies and interests on your resume, let's clarify what these terms actually mean.

What's the Difference Between Hobbies and Interests on a Resume?

Though often used interchangeably, hobbies and interests are not exactly the same thing when it comes to your resume.

Hobbies are activities you actively engage in during your free time. Examples include playing chess, photography, basketball, or cooking. Hobbies on your resume show hiring managers how you spend your time and what additional skills you might possess. For instance, listing "basketball" demonstrates teamwork abilities.

Interests are topics, ideas, or subjects that fascinate you and that you want to learn more about. Examples include artificial intelligence, Renaissance art, or environmental conservation. Interests on your resume indicate your intellectual curiosity and potential areas for growth.

Both hobbies and interests on your resume can add significant value when they're relevant to the job and highlight soft skills the company is looking for.

When to Include Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume

You should consider adding hobbies and interests on your resume when:

1. You have space available: After including all essential resume sections (contact information, work experience, education, and skills), you still have room on a single page.
2. You have limited professional experience: If you're a student, recent graduate, or career changer with minimal relevant work experience, hobbies and interests on your resume can demonstrate transferable skills and fill out your application.
3. Company culture prioritizes personality: Research indicates the company values unique employee traits and cultural fit in their hiring decisions.
4. The job posting requests it: Sometimes employers specifically ask for hobbies and interests on your resume to better understand you as a person.
5. Your hobbies directly relate to the job: Your personal activities demonstrate skills relevant to the position. For example, if you're applying for a content writing position, maintaining a personal blog shows your writing passion and abilities.
6. You need conversation starters: Interesting hobbies and interests on your resume give interviewers natural topics to discuss, helping you build rapport during interviews.

When to Skip Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume

It's better to omit hobbies and interests from your resume when:

1. You're an experienced professional: With extensive relevant experience, your professional accomplishments will speak louder than your hobbies.
2. Space is limited: If your resume already fills one page with essential professional information, prioritize those elements over hobbies and interests.
3. Your hobbies could be controversial: Some personal activities might be polarizing or raise unnecessary questions.
4. The hobbies aren't relevant: If your hobbies and interests don't demonstrate skills applicable to the position or align with company culture, they may not add value.
5. The industry is highly conservative: In traditional fields like law, finance, or certain corporate environments, personal interests might be seen as unnecessary or unprofessional.

15 Best Hobbies and Interests to Put on Your Resume

The most effective hobbies and interests on your resume are those that demonstrate skills relevant to the job or qualities employers universally value. Here are 15 of the best options:

1. Volunteering and Community Involvement

Volunteering is perhaps the most impressive hobby to include on your resume. According to research, it's associated with 27% higher odds of employment. Community involvement demonstrates initiative, empathy, organizational skills, teamwork, and leadership—qualities almost any employer would value.

Example: "Volunteer twice weekly at local food bank, coordinating donation logistics and leading teams of 5-7 volunteers."

2. Writing and Content Creation

Strong communication skills—both verbal and written—are among the most sought-after qualities by employers. Including writing as a hobby shows your communication abilities extend beyond professional requirements.

Example: "Maintain a personal blog on sustainable living with 500+ monthly readers and published articles in two local environmental magazines."

3. Learning Languages

Being multilingual or actively studying languages demonstrates cognitive flexibility, dedication to personal growth, and potentially valuable skills for international business.

Example: "Self-studying Spanish (intermediate level) and Japanese (beginner level) through daily practice and weekly conversation groups."

4. Sports and Athletics

Team sports or individual athletic pursuits show discipline, teamwork, goal-setting abilities, and dedication—all valuable qualities in the workplace.

Example: "Captain of local recreational soccer team, organizing weekly practices and coordinating tournament participation."

5. Creative Arts

Artistic hobbies demonstrate creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to think outside the box, skills valuable in many professional contexts, from marketing to product development.

Example: "Digital photography enthusiast specializing in urban landscapes; exhibited work at two local galleries in 2024."

6. Technology Projects

Personal technology projects show technical aptitude, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for continuous learning.

Example: "Developed a personal expense-tracking web application using JavaScript and React; actively maintaining and adding new features."

7. Travel and Cultural Exploration

Travel enthusiasts tend to be adaptable, culturally aware, and comfortable with new situations and diverse perspectives.

Example: "Extensive travel through Southeast Asia, documenting cultural experiences through photography and a travel blog."

8. Strategic Games

Chess, poker, or strategy board games indicate analytical thinking, forward planning, risk assessment, and decision-making skills.

Example: "Active chess player with a 1850 ELO rating; participate in monthly local tournaments and online competitions."

9. Continuous Learning

Pursuing courses, certifications, or educational content outside your professional requirements demonstrates intellectual curiosity and commitment to growth.

Example: "Completed five online courses in data analytics and visualization through Coursera while working full-time."

10. Public Speaking

Activities like Toastmasters or other public speaking forums show communication confidence, presentation skills, and leadership potential.

Example: "Active Toastmasters member for three years; served as club president for one term organizing weekly meetings for 25+ members."

11. Fitness and Wellness Activities

Regular fitness activities demonstrate discipline, goal-setting, and personal health management—qualities that often translate to workplace success.

Example: "Dedicated yoga practitioner with 200-hour teacher training certification; practice daily and occasionally lead community classes."

12. Podcasting or Broadcasting

Creating audio or video content shows communication skills, technical abilities, and commitment to sharing knowledge.

Example: "Co-host weekly industry podcast with 2,000+ subscribers discussing emerging technology trends and interviewing experts."

13. Organizing Events or Meetups

Planning gatherings demonstrates leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to coordinate multiple elements to achieve a goal.

Example: "Founder of local tech meetup group with 150+ members; organize monthly events featuring speakers and networking opportunities."

14. Mentoring or Tutoring

Helping others learn shows patience, communication skills, and subject matter expertise.

Example: "Weekly volunteer math tutor for high school students preparing for college entrance exams."

15. Environmental Initiatives

Participation in conservation or sustainability projects demonstrates social responsibility and commitment to causes beyond yourself.

Example: "Organize quarterly neighborhood clean-up events, coordinating 20+ volunteers and liaising with local government for proper waste disposal."

How to List Hobbies and Interests on a Resume

To make your hobbies and interests on your resume as effective as possible, follow these steps:

1. Determine if They Add Value

First, assess whether including hobbies and interests will benefit your application. If you're an experienced professional with plenty of relevant work history, your resume might be stronger without them. If you're early in your career or changing fields, carefully chosen hobbies and interests on your resume can help demonstrate relevant skills.

2. Research the Company Culture

Before selecting which hobbies and interests to include on your resume, research the company thoroughly:

1. Review the job description for key skills and qualities
2. Study the company website and social media presence
3. Check employee profiles on LinkedIn to understand the company culture
4. Look up the company on review sites to get insights about workplace priorities

3. Select Relevant Activities

Choose hobbies and interests that either:

1. Demonstrate skills relevant to the job description
2. Align with the company culture and values
3. Fill gaps in your professional experience
4. Show qualities universally valued in employees (teamwork, leadership, creativity)

Keep in mind that your hobbies and interests on your resume should tell a story about who you are beyond your work experience and support your candidacy.

4. Create a Dedicated Section

Place your hobbies and interests in a distinct section at the end of your resume. Title it "Hobbies & Interests," "Personal Activities," or something similar. This placement ensures the section doesn't overshadow more important elements like work experience and education.

5. Be Specific and Quantify When Possible

Vague hobbies and interests on your resume don't create a strong impression. Instead of simply listing "running," provide context: "Long-distance runner; completed three half-marathons in 2024 with a personal best time of 1:45."

This specificity accomplishes three things:

1. Shows commitment and achievement
2. Makes your claims more credible
3. Provides interesting conversation starters for interviews

6. Limit the Number of Entries

Include 3-5 hobbies and interests on your resume, focusing on quality over quantity. Each entry should provide value by highlighting relevant skills or personal qualities.

Example:

Hobbies & Interests

1. Marathon running (completed 3 races in 2024, raised $2,500 for cancer research)
2. Digital photography (specialize in urban landscapes, exhibited at two local galleries)
3. Volunteer coding instructor for underprivileged youth (3 hours weekly, developed custom curriculum)
4. Active member of Toastmasters International (served as club president for one term)

4 Tips for Effectively Including Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume

Follow these guidelines to maximize the impact of your hobbies and interests section:

1. Be Honest and Authentic

Only include hobbies and interests on your resume that you genuinely engage in and can discuss comfortably. Hiring managers may ask about them during interviews, and being unable to speak knowledgeably about your listed activities will undermine your credibility.

Wrong approach: Listing "mountain climbing" when you've only hiked a few easy trails.

1. Right approach: "Hiking enthusiast, exploring local trails weekly and completed the challenging North Ridge route last summer."

2. Be Specific and Detailed

General hobbies and interests on your resume don't create a strong impression. Add specific details that highlight your level of involvement and achievements.

Wrong approach: "I enjoy cooking."

1. Right approach: "Culinary enthusiast focusing on authentic regional Italian cuisine; completed an 8-week professional pasta-making workshop."

3. Avoid Controversial or Divisive Activities

While authenticity is important, certain hobbies and interests are better left off your resume, including:

1. Politically charged activities
2. Religious affiliations (unless applying to affiliated organizations)
3. Anything that could be considered dangerous or irresponsible
4. Activities that suggest antisocial tendencies
5. Hobbies involving alcohol or other potentially controversial elements

4. Update Based on the Job

Just like the rest of your resume, your hobbies and interests section should be tailored for each application. Emphasize different aspects of your personal activities based on the specific role and company culture.

Hobbies and Interests for Different Career Levels

The best hobbies and interests to include on your resume vary depending on your career stage.

For Students and Recent Graduates

With limited work experience, your hobbies and interests on your resume can showcase valuable transferable skills:

1. Leadership roles in student organizations
2. Volunteer work showing responsibility and commitment
3. Creative pursuits demonstrating initiative and self-motivation
4. Sports or team activities highlighting collaboration skills
5. Projects showing technical or professional skills relevant to your target field

For Mid-Career Professionals

At this stage, focus on hobbies and interests that demonstrate continued growth and well-roundedness:

1. Industry-relevant side projects or consulting
2. Community leadership roles
3. Advanced athletic pursuits showing dedication
4. Creative endeavors that have achieved recognition
5. Ongoing education or skill development

For Executives and Senior Professionals

For high-level positions, include hobbies and interests that highlight leadership, community involvement, and strategic thinking:

1. Board memberships for nonprofit organizations
2. Mentoring or teaching activities
3. Speaking engagements or thought leadership
4. High-achievement athletics or adventures
5. Cultural or philanthropic leadership

Industry-Specific Hobbies and Interests for Your Resume

Different industries value different types of personal activities. Here are recommendations for hobbies and interests on your resume based on your target field.

Technology and IT

1. Open-source contributions
2. Personal coding projects or apps
3. Tech community involvement (meetups, hackathons)
4. Electronics or hardware tinkering
5. Technical blog writing

Creative and Marketing

1. Personal creative portfolio
2. Art or design exhibitions
3. Content creation (blog, podcast, video)
4. Photography or videography
5. Brand-related side projects

Finance and Business

1. Investment clubs or personal portfolio management
2. Economics blogs or newsletters
3. Strategic games (chess, poker)
4. Business book clubs
5. Entrepreneurial side projects

Healthcare

1. Health-related volunteering
2. Wellness practices (yoga instruction, nutrition)
3. Medical mission participation
4. Health-focused community education
5. Ongoing medical education beyond requirements

Education

1. Tutoring or mentoring
2. Educational content creation
3. Community workshop facilitation
4. Subject-matter clubs or groups
5. Educational travel experiences

Common Mistakes When Including Hobbies and Interests on a Resume

Avoid these pitfalls when listing hobbies and interests on your resume.

1. Being Too Generic

Listing common activities without specifics doesn't help you stand out. "Reading" and "traveling" appear on countless resumes.

Wrong approach: "I enjoy reading and traveling."

Right approach: "Currently exploring classic Russian literature; recently completed Dostoyevsky's major works. Traveled through Eastern Europe studying architectural history."

2. Including Too Many Activities

An excessive list of hobbies and interests on your resume can seem unfocused or exaggerated.

Wrong approach: Listing ten different activities with no detail about any of them.

Right approach: Highlighting 3-4 significant hobbies with specific details about your involvement and achievements.

3. Mentioning Obsolete Activities

Don't include hobbies you haven't actively pursued in years.

Wrong approach: "Winner of high school debate championship" (when you're ten years into your career).

Right approach: Focus on current, ongoing activities that reflect your present skills and interests.

4. Failing to Connect to Job-Relevant Skills

Hobbies and interests on your resume should ideally demonstrate skills relevant to the position.

Wrong approach: Random activities with no connection to job requirements.

Right approach: Activities that showcase skills mentioned in the job description.

Hobbies and Interests to Avoid on Your Resume

Some personal activities are better left off your resume.

1. Politically Charged Activities

Unless applying to a politically affiliated organization, avoid mentioning activities that reveal your political leanings.

2. Passive Activities

"Watching Netflix" or "browsing social media" don't demonstrate skills or active engagement.

3. Potentially Controversial Hobbies

Activities that could be polarizing or raise questions about judgment are best omitted.

4. Solitary Hobbies When Teamwork Is Key

If the job emphasizes collaboration, highlighting only solitary activities might work against you.

5. Expensive or Exclusive Activities

Be cautious about listing activities that could create perceptions about socioeconomic status or privilege.

How to Discuss Hobbies and Interests During Interviews

When hobbies and interests on your resume lead to interview questions, be prepared to:

1. Demonstrate genuine enthusiasm: Speak passionately about your activities to show authenticity.
2. Connect to relevant skills: Explain how your personal pursuits have developed abilities relevant to the position.
3. Share specific examples: Have stories ready that illustrate your involvement and achievements.
4. Ask about company activities: Use your hobbies as a bridge to learn about company culture and team activities.

Complete List: 40 Best Hobbies and Interests for Your Resume

Looking for inspiration? Here are 40 effective hobbies and interests to consider for your resume, organized by category.

Team-Oriented Activities

1. Team sports (basketball, soccer, volleyball)
2. Community volunteering
3. Theater productions
4. Band or orchestra membership
5. Choir or singing groups
6. Debate teams
7. Entrepreneurship clubs
8. Environmental cleanup groups

Individual Pursuits

1. Marathon running
2. Mountain climbing
3. Cycling
4. Yoga or pilates instruction
5. Chess or strategic games
6. Personal fitness training
7. Martial arts
8. Hiking or backpacking

Creative Endeavors

1. Photography
2. Painting or drawing
3. Creative writing
4. Blogging
5. Podcasting
6. Music composition
7. Filmmaking
8. Graphic design

Intellectual Activities

1. Learning languages
2. Book clubs
3. Public speaking (Toastmasters)
4. Academic competitions
5. Investing clubs
6. Scientific research
7. Puzzle competitions
8. History preservation projects

Technological Hobbies

1. Coding projects
2. App development
3. Website design
4. 3D printing
5. Robotics
6. Game development
7. Tech community organizing
8. Hardware modification

Conclusion: Making Hobbies and Interests Work for Your Resume

When thoughtfully selected and properly presented, hobbies and interests on your resume can significantly enhance your job application. They add a personal dimension that helps hiring managers see you as a well-rounded individual who will bring more than just technical skills to their organization.

Remember these key points:

1. Be strategic: Choose hobbies and interests that highlight relevant skills or align with company culture.
2. Be specific: Provide enough detail to make your activities meaningful and memorable.
3. Be honest: Only include genuine interests you can discuss knowledgeably.
4. Be selective: Limit your list to 3-5 high-impact activities.
5. Be relevant: Tailor your hobbies and interests section for each job application.

By following these guidelines, you'll transform the hobbies and interests on your resume from an afterthought into a powerful tool that helps you stand out from other candidates and land more interviews.

FAQs About Hobbies and Interests on a Resume

Should I include hobbies and interests on my resume if I have extensive work experience?

Even with extensive experience, carefully selected hobbies and interests can add value by demonstrating cultural fit and providing conversation starters. However, prioritize your professional accomplishments and include hobbies only if space permits.

How many hobbies and interests should I list on my resume?

Typically, 3-5 hobbies or interests are sufficient. Focus on quality over quantity, selecting those most relevant to the position or demonstrative of valuable skills.

Should I adjust my hobbies and interests for different job applications?

Yes, like all sections of your resume, your hobbies and interests should be tailored to each position. Emphasize different aspects of your personal life that align with specific company cultures or job requirements.

Can hobbies and interests help me explain employment gaps?

Absolutely. Productive activities during employment gaps (volunteering, continuing education, significant personal projects) can demonstrate that you continued developing skills even while not formally employed.

How can I make common hobbies stand out on my resume?

Add specificity, achievements, or unique angles. Instead of just "running," mention "completed Boston Marathon in 2024" or "organize weekly running club for neighborhood youth."