By: Sam Louron
Publication Date: December 12, 2023
Why You Should Include Interests on Your Resume
When I was at the start of my career, a friend of mine (now my fiancé) helped me write my resume. I asked to see his resume and noticed that he had included personal interests. He is an engineer, so it was strange for me to see hobbies like basketball and video games.
I asked him why he chose to include those interests, and he said: “I wanted to personalize my resume and I want [the recruiters] to know me as a person outside of a piece of paper.”
And he doesn’t seem to be alone in that. According to a study by Standout CV, one in four people includes hobbies and interests on their resumes.
If you’re curious about the interests you should add to your resume – and why – this is the right article for you. We’ll also cover different interests and hobbies that will help you stand out in the job market.
40 Interests for Your Resume
While they are not always relevant, there are some scenarios when it’s appropriate to mention your interests and hobbies on your resume. Sarah Johnston, founder and CEO of Briefcase Coach, a resume writing service for executives, says if you choose to include interests on your resume, focusing on personalization is key. “We always take into consideration the audience and how a fun fact might resonate with them,” she suggests.
Here are some reasons why you should add your interests to your resume. 1. You can showcase your personality.
The most compelling reason to include interests on your resume is to showcase your personality. Recruiters and hiring managers review many resumes for each job role. They’re likely reading the same skills and similar experiences over and over again. What better way to stand out than to give them a glimpse of your personality right from the start?
In my experience, having interests on my resume led to enjoyable conversations with recruiters and hiring managers. Talking about hobbies was a great way to break the ice (and calm my nerves) before moving on to interview questions. 2. Interests help fit the culture.
If the company you’re applying to values uniqueness or specific personality traits, interests can help communicate how you would fit into the culture.
For example, there’s a job opening for a Senior Retail Manager at Tecovas, a western direct-to-consumer brand based in Austin. As a western brand selling boots and apparel, Tecovas emphasizes its mission to “delight first-time boot buyers and western lovers alike.”
If you consider yourself a western aficionado and enjoy activities like horseback riding, it might be beneficial to mention that on your resume to show how your interests and experiences align with the company. 3. You can match niche industries or roles.
Some companies operate in niche industries and may look for candidates with specific skills or interests. For example, if you are applying for a marketing manager position at an art museum, the hiring manager is likely to expect you to be interested in art or art history.
I did a quick search for this type of role to test this theory, and I found an old job posting for a Social Media Coordinator at MoMA. One of the job requirements was an interest in art and the nonprofit world. 4. It will enhance your resume if you have limited experience.
We all have to start somewhere. If you’re a recent graduate or have undergone a change in your career path, it’s likely you have limited work experience. Including your interests or hobbies in your resume can help the employer understand you better if you have limited work experience.
The key is to connect the dots between your interests and the job you’re applying for so that recruiters understand how it can help you professionally. Study the job descriptions and the company to get a grasp of their culture and job requirements, and find out how your interests and hobbies relate to it, and highlight your strengths.
For example, sports can showcase your strength in teamwork, while drawing can exhibit your creativity.
40 Interests for Your Resume
It has been a while since I interviewed for a full-time job, but sometimes, I share my resume for freelance work. When I do, I want to make sure it is tailored to the role and company to increase my chances of standing out.
I recently prepared a resume using one of HubSpot’s resume templates.
I added a section for interests that reflects my current work and is relevant to the types of companies I want to work with. Here are the hobbies and interests I included. 1. Pilates
I attend Pilates classes at least twice a week (which helps that my sister is an instructor!), and it’s always the best part of my day. As a writer, I sit in front of a computer screen for hours, so Pilates helps me take a break from my desk.
Why it works: Committing to a regular exercise routine – whether it’s yoga, running, or even walking – reflects a healthy work-life balance. 2. Home Renovation
If you know my fiancé and me, you’ll know that we love taking on home renovation projects. We’re not afraid to use a huge hammer to tear down our cabinets or rearrange our home’s layout to create something uniquely ours.
Why it works: In my experience, this has been a great conversation starter during interviews. People enjoy hearing about the process, mainly because we do the work ourselves to save money (for better or worse). 3. Collecting Vintage Art
On any given weekend, you can find me at a thrift store or estate sale. I love hunting for unique items and hidden treasures and giving them new life.
Why it works: I’ve found that this topic is another way to break the ice. If I’m talking to someone who also enjoys vintage shopping, we usually trade stories about the types of items we collect and where we find them. 4. Book Clubs
A few years ago, I started my book club here in Austin. We read nonfiction books about business, creativity, and entrepreneurship, such as Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic” and Greg McKeown’s “Essentialism.” Once a month, we meet at a local spot to share what we’ve learned from the book.
Why it works: This hobby demonstrates my interest in continuous learning and my desire to organize events (on a small scale) where I created the group and planned everything myself. 5. Small Businesses
I was previously a writer for a local magazine that covered lifestyle topics, like shopping and dining in the city. The best part was interviewing small business owners and learning about their daily routines, motivations, and sharing their stories.
Why it works: These interests work in my resume because I am now writing for companies that include small business owners in their audience. I can use my enthusiasm and knowledge of small businesses to enrich my writing.
These interests are tailored to my experience and are relevant to the types of roles I would like to work in the future.
If these are not the right interests for you, here are some other interests you might consider adding to your resume. 6. Sports
As I mentioned, my fiancé enjoys playing sports like basketball and golf. He regularly participates in leagues with both coworkers and non-work groups. If you are an active member of a sports team or a community league, add it to the interests section of your resume to demonstrate your ability to work as a team outside of work. 7. Photography
I was browsing X (formerly known as Twitter) when I saw that Senior Product Manager Diego Granados shared the resume he used to get a job at Microsoft in 2019.
In the interests section, he included photography by iPhone, video games, and playing musical instruments like the saxophone and guitar.
Why it works: Photography is a hobby that shows your interest in the world around you. You can even be specific and mention the type of photography you are interested in, such as iPhone photography, film photography, or commercial photography. 8. Volunteering
At the beginning of my career, when I was building my resume, I relied on my previous volunteer experiences to showcase my various skills and interests. I was an active member of a volunteer organization in college and even did some social media volunteer work for nonprofits after graduation.
Why it works: Adding volunteering to the interests section of your resume can demonstrate your passion for specific issues. This is particularly useful if the cause is relevant to the company or job you are applying for. 9. Drawing
Hobbies like drawing or painting are great ways to practice creativity and showcase your creative skills.
Why it works: Whether you are applying for a creative job or not, creative hobbies can enhance your creativity in the workplace. 10. Baking
My friend Mika Peterson, a web designer and developer, was a baker in a previous life and lists “Hobbyist Baker, Developer by Profession” on his resume.
He explains that including this interest in his resume helped create a lasting impression during interviews.
“One time, during an interview, it led to a conversation about the interviewer’s son, who was also a baker,” he said. “The interviewer was impressed by that in his son, so I think it left a lasting impression on him.”
Why it works: If you have had a career change, don’t hesitate to include it in the interests section of your resume. It’s an interesting starting point, but if you can relate your experience to the role you are applying for, that’s much better. 11. Reading
You might be in a book club like I was, or enjoy reading challenges. Or perhaps you are active on #BookTok, the massive sub-community on TikTok dedicated to sharing and reviewing books.
Why it works: One example of a role where this interest can intersect with the job you are applying for is in social media roles. Mentioning your interest in reading, specifically #BookTok, shows your knowledge of current communities on social media. 12. Video Games
I have seen many people include video games as a hobby in their resumes, including my fiancé Diego Granados, whose resume I shared above.
Why it works: Video games can showcase interest and knowledge in various aspects, from the technical aspects of the gaming system to the visual elements present in graphics to the strategy that goes into the game. 13. Writing
Do you enjoy writing in your spare time? Whether you prefer writing fiction, poetry, or blogs, these skills are likely to transfer to any role you apply for.
According to GMAC’s 2023 survey of corporate recruitment staff, communication and writing skills are among the most important skills that employers seek.
Why it works: Writing will remain a fundamental skill in the workplace, making this interest a timeless addition to your resume. 14. Graphic Design
According to Upwork, graphic design is one of the most in-demand skills for freelancers. Even if you’re not aiming for freelance work, this data demonstrates the need for this skill among companies of all sizes.
Why it works: If you have skills in graphic design, even if this is not the focus of your role, it can enhance your resume. 15. Animals
Yes, furry friends in your life can be included as an interest in your resume. Whether you volunteer at a local animal shelter or are a proud pet owner, there are ways to mention this while maintaining the professionalism of your resume.
Johnston recalls, who works with some of the most important leaders in the world at her executive resume writing company, when she saw some people successfully mention animals as an interest.
“I know someone looking for a role at Purina Corporate,” she recalls. “They mentioned at the bottom of their resume that they were ‘proud parents of two golden retrievers,’ and the recruiter seemed to love it!”
Career Tip: This interest works well when the company you are applying to is in the pet or animal industry. 16. Nonprofits
Like volunteer work, an interest in nonprofits shows your dedication to specific causes or communities.
Career Tip: Include this interest only if you are actively involved in specific nonprofit organizations or volunteer work. 17. Entrepreneurship
Do you want to start your own business someday? Are you someone striving for success with a growth mindset? Perhaps entrepreneurship is a natural fit for you, making it worth mentioning as an interest on your resume.
Why it works: Having an entrepreneurial mindset can be key to success as a seller or in a startup. 18. Music
Are you applying for a job in the music industry? It makes sense to showcase your taste in music, whether you are applying to a festival production company, recording studio, or a streaming platform like Spotify.
If you are online constantly like I am, you may remember seeing this creative resume go viral on LinkedIn and Twitter (now X) in 2021:
A Spotify-themed resume was created by product manager Emily Vu, who eventually landed a job at the music streaming platform thanks to her creativity.
Why it works: In addition to the Spotify-themed resume design itself, Vu added a section for interests that referenced her musical interests. This further showcases her enthusiasm and knowledge of the industry. 19. Art History
Whether you’ve attended school for art history or have a strong interest and knowledge of the subject, mentioning it on your resume can show that you are a well-educated and multi-talented individual.
Why it works: If you work in a creative field, especially if you’re applying for a job in the art world, it’s beneficial to mention your interest in the arts.
20. Camping
Anyone who has gone camping knows the preparation and work required. From setting up your tent to cooking your meals to communicating with the natural environment around you, camping reflects an adventurous personality.
Why it works: If you have camped before, you likely have a funny story from the experience, which can be a great conversation starter.
21. Teaching
If you are taking lessons related to your job role, it may be a good idea to mention that on your resume.
For example, are you studying programming classes during the evenings and weekends? This can show a deep understanding of the role and dedication to industry development.
Why it works: Your interest in teaching can qualify you for a training or teaching role within your company. If you’re interested in pursuing this in the future, feel free to include your teaching experience on your resume.
22. Travel
An interest in traveling can be particularly relevant if you work for a distributed company that values trips and encourages its employees to explore the world.
Anastasia Crow, a marketing consultant, created an “About Me” section in her digital resume to highlight her interest in traveling to national parks.
Why it works: Traveling shows an interest in learning about different cultures and an adventurous personality.
23. Hiking
Like camping, hiking can showcase an adventurous personality. You don’t have to have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to be considered a hiker.
Why it works: If hiking is your hobby, it can be a great conversation starter during the interview. You can mention any significant hikes you’ve done, which can lead to exciting stories between you and the interviewer.
24. Running
Nearly 50 million people in the United States consider themselves runners, and 115 million people walk, according to Statista. The translation? These popular activities are interests that can be beneficial on your resume.
Why it works: Being a consistent runner reflects your commitment and training regimen.
25. Continuing Education
There are many online learning opportunities available today. Whether you want to learn a new language, how to paint, or how to ace search engine optimization, there’s an online course for that.
Additionally, 62% of companies offer professional development as part of their benefits package, according to the GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey. If continuing education is important to you, it may be worth mentioning if you’re interviewing with a company that offers it as part of the job.
Why it works: An interest in continuing education shows dedication to learning new skills and subjects.
26. Interior Design
If you have an eye for interior design, don’t hesitate to mention it on your resume. You can even showcase your skills in a video interview by displaying your perfectly designed setup on the screen.
Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/interests-on-resume
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