Mentioning hobbies on your resume can help highlight your personality, skills, and align with a company's values.
While it's not always necessary, listing hobbies can help set you apart from other candidates. Focus on mentioning hobbies that align with the job role, highlight transferable skills, and fit the company culture. While adding hobbies, be specific about achievements and avoid controversial or irrelevant hobbies.
Customizing your hobbies to the job and industry can make your resume more compelling and show that you’re a well-rounded candidate with the right traits.
Also read: How to list hobbies on resume?
50+ hobbies to add to your resume
Here is a table with 50+ hobbies and the skills that are associated with them.
| Hobby/Interests | Skills |
|---|---|
| Languages proficiency | Multi-Lingual, Curious, Communication Skills, Persistence, Cultural Intelligence |
| Theater | Team Player, Confident, Artistic, Creative,Public Speaking |
| Team Sports (Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Cricket, Hockey, Etc) | Sportsmanship, Team-Player, Creative, Adaptable, Flexible, Team Management, Passionate |
| Archery | Focus, Patience, Mindfulness, Detail-Oriented |
| Networking | Communication Skills, Social Skills, Team Player, Confidence, Adaptable |
| Camping | Patience, Endurance, Adaptable, Troubleshooter, Flexible, Persistence |
| Gardening | Nurturing, emotional Intelligence, Responsible, Understanding, Empathy, Patience |
| Calligraphy | Creativity, Patience, Artistic Sense, Writing, Attention To Detail |
| Meditating | Focused, Discipline, Emotional Quotient |
| Poet/Slam Poet | Creative, Articulate, Expressive, Artistic, Public Speaking, Oratory Skills |
| Debating | Verbal Communication Skills, Confidence, Adaptable, Public Speaking |
| Sudoku | Analytical, Focused, Logical Reasoning |
| Volunteer Work | |
| (NGO, Shelter Homes, Pet Rescues, etc.) | Generosity, Patience, Perseverance, Humility, Empathy |
| Stand-Up Comedy | Creative, Observant, Public Speaking, People Skill |
| Photography | Patience, Creative, Aesthetic Sense, Attention To Detail, Artistic Sense |
| Instrument | Discipline, Patience, Creative, Artistic, Versatile |
| Chess | Sportsmanship, Analytical, Logical Reasoning, Deduction, Strategic |
| Yoga | Perseverance, Patience, Discipline, Health-Conscious, Self-Control |
| Mountain Climbing | Perseverance, Self-Starter, Adventurous, Confidence, Versatility |
| Baking | Enthusiasm, Creativity, Patience, Artistic, Careful |
| Fencing | Alert, Adaptability, Far-Sighted, Good Instincts, Versatility |
| Socializing (Events, meetings, book clubs) | People Skills, Team Player, Good Communication Skills, Public Speaking, Adaptability |
| Dancing | Creativity, Learning Ability, Adaptability, Perseverance, Resilient, Cultural Intelligence |
| Running | |
| (Marathons, Races, Tournaments) | Focused, Strength, Resilient, Dedicated, Disciplined |
| Birdwatching | Nature-loving, Focused, Silent, Observations Skills, Good Listener, Curiosity |
| Virtual Gaming | Competitive, Adaptability, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving |
| Embroidery/Crocheting/Knitting | Detail-Oriented, Creative, Artistic, Design Sense, Attention To Detail |
| Candle Making | Creativity, Aesthetic Sense, Innovation, Attention To Detail |
| Collector (Coins, Comics, Action Figures, Etc) | Patience, Perseverance, Cultural Intelligence, Passionate |
| Bartending | Time Management, Cleanliness Freak, People Skills, Situational Analysis |
| Coffee Roasting | Sensory evaluation, Specialization, Patience, Authenticity |
| Animal Rescue | Empathy, Emotional Quotient, Friendly, Responsible |
| Journaling | Self-Awareness, Observant, Writing Skills |
| Traveling/Backpacking | Adventurous, Cultural Intelligence, Flexibility, Life Experiences, Curiosity |
| Coding | Logical Thinking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Initiative |
| Podcasts | Opinionated, Good Communication Skills, Public Speaking, Active Listening & Public Speaking |
| Weight Training | Fitness Freak, Perseverance, Hard-Working, Patience, Strategic Planning |
| Artificial Intelligence | Reason-Oriented, Problem Solving, Logical Thinking, Analytical, Curiosity & Critical Thinking |
| Renewable Energy | Preservation, Stability, Visionary, Innovative |
| Swimming | Physical strength, Perseverance, Motivated, Focused, Stamina |
| Teaching (Online coaching, teaching for NGOs, etc) | Verbal Skills, Tolerance, People Management, Knowledge, Active Listening, Perceptive |
| Painting/Doodles/ Mandala | Creative, Artistic, Aesthetic, Color Theory, Concentration, Design Sense |
| Hunting | Focused, Aggressive, Adaptable, Flexible, Strength |
| Social Media Influencer | People Management, Influential, Verbal Communication, Creative |
| Inventor | Problem-Solving, Knowledgeable, Risk-Taker, Proactive, Experimental, Critical Thinking Skills, Analytical |
| Sign Language | Perceptive, Deep Understanding, Active Listening Skills |
| Genealogy | Intuitive, Research-Oriented, Perceptive |
| Astronomy | Inquisitive, Out Of The Box, Curious, Clarity, Patience |
| Puppetry | Storytelling, People Skills, Creative |
| Review (Movies, books, comics, etc) | Intuitive, Opinionated, Unique Perception, Good Verbal Communication |
| DJ- ing | Timing, music taste, technical ability, adaptability, customer-centric |
| Pottery | Open, Innovative, Perceptive, Patient, Imaginative And Curious |
How to Effectively Include Hobbies on Your Resume to Stand Out
Is mentioning your hobbies on your resume a good idea?
Attractive hobbies for a resume, if strategically mentioned and placed, can help you position yourself as the best candidate for the job. Hobbies on your resume give the recruiter a peek into your personality. So, selecting and writing the right hobby can help you stand out and land your dream job.
When to mention hobbies on a resume?
Even though mentioning your hobbies can help you stand out, not all resumes require this section. So, should you or should you not add hobbies to the resume?
Whether or not you should list your hobbies depends on various factors.
-Space: if your resume goes over two pages, you probably shouldn't add hobbies.
-Work experience: if you're a seasoned professional, you already have tons of experience, skills, and certifications that will set you apart from the competition. So, you can leave a hobbies section on your resume. If you're a recent graduate or don't have ample work experience, adding hobbies to the resume helps you in two ways.
First, it helps showcase your personality so that recruiters can assess if you're a good fit for the role. Two, it helps fill your resume up and reduce white space.
- Relevancy and Professionalism: if your hobbies are directly related to the job, such as writing for a content creation role, or playing a team sport for a role that requires teamwork and leadership, they can add value. In highly professional industries (like finance or law), focusing on skills and experience is typically more important than listing personal hobbies unless they are very relevant.
- Personal Branding: certain hobbies reflect your personality and showcase core values and traits. For example, volunteering shows that you value social responsibility, that could align well with a company's beliefs, especially if it has a corporate social responsibility focus.
- Cultural Fit: Employers want to make sure that new hires mesh well with the company culture. If your hobbies align with the company's environment or ethos, it demonstrates that you're not just a good fit in terms of skills, but also in terms of personality. For example, if a company values work-life balance and wellness, mentioning that you enjoy yoga or hiking shows you're health-conscious and value balance.
Tips for Including Hobbies on your Resume:
We've seen how the hobbies section on your resume is beneficial. There are a few points to consider while listing the hobbies. These tips will help you include hobbies to support your qualifications and present yourself as a well-rounded candidate with qualities that align with the role you're applying to.
1. Keep It Relevant
Customize to the Job: Include hobbies that are relevant directly to the role you're applying for or that showcase skills that would be beneficial in the job.
For example, if you're applying for a creative role, hobbies like painting or photography could be relevant, as they highlight your creativity and artistic skills.
2. Focus on Transferable Skills
Highlight Key Skills: Instead of just listing hobbies, focus on how they demonstrate transferable skills.
For example, if you like team sports, highlight teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. This shows employers that you possess important qualities beyond your professional experience.
3. Be Specific and Include Achievements
If you have achieved something notable through your hobbies, such as completing a marathon, organizing an event, or winning a photography award, make sure to mention it. Specific achievements make your hobbies more compelling and show that you are goal-oriented.
4. Align with Company Culture
Cultural Fit: If the company values certain traits (e.g., innovation, social responsibility), mention hobbies that demonstrate alignment with those values.
For example, volunteering for a non-profit organization shows empathy and community-mindedness, which can resonate well with companies focused on social impact.
5. Keep It Professional
Avoid Controversial or Irrelevant Hobbies: Don't mention hobbies that could raise concerns, such as extreme or controversial activities. Stick to activities that are universally understood and unlikely to provoke misunderstandings.
6. Placement on Resume
Hobbies Section: Place hobbies toward the bottom of your resume, typically after your work experience and education sections. However, if a hobby is particularly relevant to the role (e.g., blogging for a content creation job), it could be highlighted earlier.
Read Various Resume Format
7. Don't List Too Many
Quality Over Quantity: Keep the hobbies section concise. You don't need to list every single hobby you have. Focus on 2-4 hobbies that best showcase your skills and align with the job or company culture.
Conclusion
Adding hobbies to your resume can be a powerful and strategic way to highlight your personality, skills, and align with the company's values. If strategically chosen and written, hobbies can set you apart from the competition by displaying that you possess qualities beyond your professional experience. The key is to make sure your hobbies align with your professional strengths and show a well-rounded profile that adds value to the employer. By following these best practices, you can create a more compelling and well-rounded resume that grabs the attention of hiring managers and positions you as the ideal candidate.
FAQs
Q1: What are good hobbies to put on a CV?
A: Here are some good hobbies you can put on a CV:
- Reading: Shows you're curious and interested in learning new things.
- Sports: Demonstrates teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness.
- Painting or Drawing: Highlights creativity and attention to detail.
- Volunteering: Illustrates a commitment to helping others and being involved in the community.
- Cooking or Baking: Reflects creativity, patience, and attention to detail.
- Playing a Musical Instrument: Indicates dedication, discipline, and the ability to learn and master new skills.
- Gardening: Demonstrates patience, nurturing, and the ability to take care of living things.
- Writing: Shows strong communication skills and creativity.
- Traveling: Indicates an interest in learning about different cultures and perspectives.
- Photography: Highlights creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to capture moments effectively.
Q2: How do I list my hobbies on my Resume?
A: 1. Create a separate section titled "Hobbies and Interests" or "Personal Activities."
2. List 3-5 hobbies that are relevant to the job or showcase skills that could benefit the employer.
3. Use bullet points to make each hobby easy to read.
4. Briefly describe each hobby and how it relates to your skills or personality.
5. Keep it concise and only include hobbies that add value to your resume.
6. Avoid listing hobbies that are controversial or unrelated to the job.
For example:
Hiking: Regularly hike trails, showcasing endurance, determination, and appreciation for nature.
Photography: Capture and edit photos, demonstrating creativity, attention to detail, and technical skills.
Q3: What is hobby in resume?
A: A hobby in a resume is an activity or interest that you enjoy doing in your free time. Including hobbies on your resume can give potential employers a glimpse into your personality and interests outside of work. It can also showcase skills or qualities that are relevant to the job you're applying for. However, it's important to choose hobbies that are appropriate and can add value to your resume. Avoid listing hobbies that are controversial or unrelated to the job. Instead, focus on hobbies that demonstrate positive traits such as teamwork, creativity, or dedication.
