Why You Should Include Your Hobbies and Interests on Your CV

As you update your resume, you may wonder what to include to make your application stand out from the others. While outlining your education, experience, and skills are essential, you should also highlight your hobbies and interests. In this article, we’ll explain why hobbies and interests can make a difference on your CV and how to include them in your application.

Why Including Hobbies and Interests on Your Resume is Essential

Adding interests and hobbies can create an advantage for you as a job applicant. Here’s why:

It shows your personality and character.

Apart from your work experience, displaying your hobbies and interests can give potential employers an idea of your personality, lifestyle, and what drives you. For example, if you enjoy participating in team sports and charity events, employers may interpret this as an indication of your teamwork and social skills.

It makes you a well-rounded candidate.

A resume with a list of technical skills and job experience could demonstrate that you are competent in your field, but hobbies display a holistic view of you as an individual. It shows that you have other interests outside of work and are not a one-dimensional candidate.

It helps to build rapport with your employer.

If you share the same hobbies and interests with your potential employer, it can make an excellent conversation starter during the interview. Demonstrating mutual interests not only helps to foster a relationship but may also increase your chances of being hired.

How to Add Hobbies and Interests to Your CV

When editing your CV to include your hobbies and interests, ensure that they are related to the job on offer.

Showcase unique interests related to the job.

For example, if you are applying for a sports-related job, showcase your participation in sports. If you are applying for a job that requires creativity such as advertising or graphic design, you could show off your passion for creating art.

Avoid being too general.

Avoid listing hobbies such as “reading”, “watching movies,” or “listening to music” as they are generic and not a clear indication of your interests. Instead, add specific genres, authors, or directors you love that indicate your tastes and personality.

Format it the right way.

Your hobbies and interests section should be concise, and bullet points work well. Don’t include an entire paragraph, as this will make your resume lengthy and unappealing. It is also better to showcase your hobbies and interests towards the end of your CV when going for executive level jobs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hobbies and interests convey more information about your personality beyond technical qualifications and professional experience. Including them on your CV will make it more appealing and set you apart from other candidates. When adding your hobbies and interests, ensure that they are related to the job, and format them correctly. Remember, these hobbies could make all the difference in securing your dream job.