5 Easy Steps on How to List Your Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume

5 Easy Steps on How to List Your Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume

Do you ever feel like your resume could use a little personality? Or maybe you’re struggling to showcase your soft skills and personal interests to potential employers? Including your hobbies and interests on your resume can help differentiate yourself from other candidates and add some color to an otherwise mundane document. However, it’s important to approach this carefully to ensure your hobbies and interests don’t overshadow your qualifications. Here are five steps to help you list your hobbies and interests on your resume effectively.

Step 1: Consider the Job You’re Applying For

When deciding which hobbies and interests to include on your resume, consider the job you’re applying for. Are there specific skills or traits the employer is looking for that can be demonstrated through your hobbies? For example, if you’re applying for a communications role, mentioning your participation in public speaking clubs or creative writing may be relevant. However, if you’re applying for a finance role, listing your skills in rock climbing may not be as relevant.

Step 2: Keep It Relevant

Choose hobbies and interests that are related to the job or industry you’re applying to. Avoid listing generic or irrelevant hobbies such as watching TV or sleeping. Instead, consider activities that showcase your transferable skills that can benefit the position you’re applying for.

Step 3: Highlight Your Soft Skills

Your hobbies and interests can reveal more about your soft skills, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, creativity, and problem solving. Include hobbies that showcase these skills, such as volunteering, team sports, or DIY projects.

Step 4: Use Action Words

When listing your hobbies and interests, use action words to demonstrate your involvement and achievements. For example, rather than saying “Reading”, say “Staying up to date on industry news and current affairs through extensive reading and research.”

Step 5: Keep It Concise

Your hobbies and interests should be listed at the bottom of your resume. Keep it concise and limit it to three to four hobbies or interests. Be prepared to elaborate on these hobbies during an interview.

In conclusion, including your hobbies and interests on your resume can help you stand out to potential employers and showcase your transferable skills. However, it’s important to consider the job you’re applying for, keep it relevant, highlight your soft skills, use action words, and keep it concise. With these five easy steps, you can effectively list your hobbies and interests on your resume.

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