Hobbies and Interests on a Resume: What to Include (and What to Skip)

I'm going to tell you something that might surprise you. When I was recruiting at a Fortune 500 company, I often made final hiring decisions based partly on the hobbies section. Two candidates with identical qualifications? The one who coaches youth basketball shows leadership. The one who lists "Netflix" goes to the bottom of the pile 😅

The problem is that most candidates either skip this section entirely or fill it with generic fluff that says nothing about who they are.

According to LinkedIn research, soft skills like creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are among the most in-demand qualities. Your hobbies section is one of the best places to prove you have them.

In this article, I'll show you exactly which hobbies to include, which to avoid, and how to present them so they actually help your application.

This isn't about filling empty space. It's about strategic positioning.

What Recruiters Actually See

A recruiter scans your resume in 6 to 8 seconds on the first pass. Your experience tells them what you've done. Your hobbies tell them who you ARE.

When I saw "Captain of amateur rugby team" on a resume, I immediately thought: leadership, commitment, teamwork. When I saw "Enjoys socializing," I thought: this person had nothing interesting to write 😬

The Cultural Fit Factor

According to hiring studies, cultural fit is one of the top reasons candidates get hired — or rejected. Your hobbies give recruiters a glimpse into your personality beyond the work persona.

A tech startup looking for creative problem-solvers will notice you build custom electronics as a hobby. A conservative law firm might appreciate your chess club membership. Match your hobbies to the company culture 💡

Hobbies vs. Interests: What's the Difference?

• Hobbies* are activities you actively do: photography, hiking, coaching.
• Interests* are topics you're curious about but don't necessarily practice: space exploration, art history, behavioral economics.

Both can work on a resume, but hobbies are usually stronger because they imply action and commitment.

Not all hobbies are created equal. The key is relevance and what they signal about you.

The Golden Rule: Transferable Skills

Every hobby you list should demonstrate a skill that's valuable in the workplace.

| Hobby | Skill It Demonstrates ||-------|----------------------|| Team Sports | Collaboration, leadership, handling pressure || Volunteering | Empathy, community involvement, initiative || Chess / Strategy Games | Analytical thinking, planning ahead || Photography | Creativity, attention to detail, patience || Learning Languages | Cultural awareness, cognitive flexibility || Musical Instruments | Discipline, dedication, continuous learning || Blogging / Writing | Communication, meeting deadlines || Hiking / Endurance Sports | Resilience, goal-setting, self-discipline |

The 3-Question Test

Before adding any hobby, ask yourself:

1. Does it showcase a skill mentioned in the job description?
2. Could it spark an interesting conversation in an interview?
3. Is it appropriate for this company's culture?

If you answer "yes" to at least two of these, include it 😉

Industry-Specific Picks

Tailor your hobbies to your target industry:

• Tech / Startups:*
• Open source contributions
• Hackathons
• Building side projects
• Gaming communities (shows digital fluency)
• Finance / Consulting:*
• Marathon running (discipline, endurance)
• Chess (strategic thinking)
• Investment clubs
• Golf (traditional networking)
• Creative / Marketing:*
• Photography, videography
• Content creation (podcasts, social media)
• Attending art exhibitions
• Writing (blogs, fiction)
• Healthcare / Education:*
• Volunteering
• Coaching youth sports
• Mentoring programs
• Patient advocacy groups

Some hobbies are better left off your resume. Here's what to avoid.

The "Passive" Trap

These hobbies make you look boring or lazy:

❌ Watching Netflix ❌ Sleeping ❌ Hanging out with friends ❌ "Relaxing"

Everyone does these things. They tell the recruiter nothing about you 🙈

The "Controversial" Trap

Avoid anything that could make the recruiter uncomfortable or create bias:

❌ Political activism (unless applying to political organizations) ❌ Religious activities (unless relevant to the role) ❌ Extreme or dangerous sports (some employers worry about injury risk) ❌ Gambling-related hobbies

The "Too Vague" Trap

These are so generic they add no value:

❌ "Reading" (reading what?) ❌ "Music" (playing? listening? genre?) ❌ "Sports" (which sport? what level?) ❌ "Travel" (what kind? how often?)

• Fix it by adding context:* ✅ "Reading behavioral economics and psychology" ✅ "Jazz piano – performing at local venues" ✅ "Trail running – completed 3 half-marathons in 2024" ✅ "Solo backpacking – 15 countries, budget trip planning"

The format matters as much as the content.

Where to Place Them

Put your hobbies section at the bottom of your resume, after Experience and Education. It's the "closing" — the last impression before the recruiter decides to call you.

• Exception:* If you're a recent graduate with limited experience, hobbies can move higher to demonstrate soft skills.

The Right Format

Keep it concise. No paragraphs. Use one of these formats:

• Bullet list (recommended for 3-5 hobbies):*
• Team captain of amateur soccer league (12 players, regional tournaments)
• Volunteer coding instructor at local community center
• Competitive chess player (1800 ELO rating)
• Single line (for limited space):* Interests: Marathon running, photography, open-source development

The Power Formula: Hobby + Context + Outcome

Make each hobby specific:

❌ "Sports" ✅ "Team captain of amateur basketball team — organized weekly practices and led team to regional finals"

❌ "Volunteering" ✅ "Volunteer mentor for at-risk youth — 100+ hours coaching career skills"

❌ "Photography" ✅ "Landscape photography — work featured in local gallery exhibition"

Context transforms generic hobbies into proof of your capabilities 🚀

Your approach should change depending on where you are in your career.

Students and Recent Graduates

• Include hobbies — they're essential.*

With limited work experience, hobbies prove your soft skills:

• Student club leadership shows initiative
• Part-time jobs show work ethic
• Volunteering shows responsibility
• Team sports show collaboration

For more strategies, check our guide on resume with no experience.

Mid-Career Professionals

• Include hobbies — but keep them brief.*

Your experience speaks for itself, but hobbies add personality. Choose 2-3 that reinforce your professional brand.

Example: A project manager listing "Organizing community trail cleanups (50+ volunteers)" reinforces organizational skills.

Senior Executives

• Optional — one line maximum.*

At this level, your track record is what matters. A brief mention of hobbies just shows you're human:

"Outside work: long-distance cycling, classical music"

The workplace is evolving. These hobbies signal you're in tune with modern values.

Tech-Forward Hobbies

• AI/ML experimentation and prompt engineering
• Building no-code apps
• 3D printing projects
• VR/gaming community involvement

Sustainability-Focused Hobbies

• Urban gardening
• Environmental volunteering
• Sustainable living projects
• Climate activism (in appropriate contexts)

Wellness Hobbies

• Meditation and mindfulness practice
• Yoga instruction
• Mental health advocacy
• Fitness coaching

According to workplace trends, employers increasingly value candidates who demonstrate work-life balance and mental resilience 💡

Digital Content Creation

• Podcasting
• YouTube content
• Newsletter writing
• Social media management (personal brand)

These show communication skills and digital fluency — valuable in almost any role.

Listing hobbies is step one. Being ready to discuss them is step two.

The STAR Method for Hobbies

When asked "Tell me about your hobbies," use the STAR framework:

• Situation:* Set the context
• Task:* What was your goal or role?
• Action:* What did you do?
• Result:* What was the outcome?
• Example (Hiking):* "I organize monthly hikes for a group of 15 friends. Last year, we tackled a challenging mountain that required careful planning. I mapped the route, checked everyone's gear, and managed the pace. We reached the summit safely, and it taught me a lot about preparation and team morale."

The 30-Second Bridge

Connect any hobby to the job with this formula:

"I'm passionate about [HOBBY]. It's helped me develop [SKILL], which directly applies to [JOB REQUIREMENT]."

• Example:* "I'm passionate about chess. It's helped me develop strategic thinking and the ability to anticipate problems several moves ahead, which directly applies to project planning in this role."

If your hobbies don't fit or you're short on space, show personality elsewhere.

LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn "About" section is perfect for personal interests. You have more space and a less formal context.

Cover Letter

Mention a hobby to illustrate a soft skill:

"My discipline from competitive swimming helps me manage tight deadlines without losing quality."

Portfolio

If you're in a creative field, showcase your photography, writing, or design work in an online portfolio instead of just listing it.

For interview preparation, check our guide on tricky interview questions.

Your hobbies section is strategic marketing space. Use it wisely.

• The essentials:*

1. Choose relevant hobbies that demonstrate transferable skills
2. Add context — "Chess" means nothing; "Competitive chess player (1800 ELO)" proves dedication
3. Avoid generic or passive hobbies — "Netflix" and "socializing" hurt you
4. Match company culture — startup vs. corporate requires different approaches
5. Keep it brief — 3-5 hobbies maximum, at the bottom of your resume
6. Be ready to discuss — every hobby you list is fair game in interviews

The hobbies section won't get you the job alone. But it can be the tie-breaker that puts you ahead of equally qualified candidates.

CVTOWORK offers resume templates with optimized hobbies sections that help you present your personality professionally.

Now, look at your resume. What do your hobbies say about you? If the answer is "nothing interesting," it's time to rethink that section 🚀