When crafting your CV, it’s important to think about how you present yourself beyond just your professional skills and work experience. While most of the focus will be on your qualifications and expertise, a well-chosen section on hobbies and interests for CV can give hiring managers a fuller picture of who you are and how you might fit within a company’s culture.
Many job seekers wonder whether including personal interests on their CV is worthwhile. The short answer is: yes, but only if you do it strategically. Hobbies and interests can be a valuable way to show your personality, demonstrate transferable skills, and make you stand out in a competitive job market. However, the key is in how you present them.
Why Hobbies and Interests Matter
1. Showcase Transferable Skills: Certain hobbies can highlight qualities like leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. For example, if you’re involved in sports, it can demonstrate teamwork and dedication. If you’re a regular volunteer, it shows commitment and compassion. These are soft skills that employers value just as much as hard skills.
2. Cultural Fit: Employers are looking for candidates who will fit well within the company’s culture. Your hobbies and interests can provide insight into your personality and whether you’d be a good match for the team environment. For instance, if you’re applying to a creative agency, listing interests like photography, painting, or writing can indicate that you’re a person with a creative mindset.
3. Stand Out from Other Candidates: Many CVs focus heavily on professional qualifications. By including a carefully thought-out list of hobbies and interests, you give recruiters something more to remember you by. A unique or relevant interest can spark a conversation in an interview, making you stand out from the crowd.
What to Include in the “Hobbies and Interests” Section
When considering what to include, think about how each interest aligns with the job you’re applying for. Keep in mind that this section should add value, not just be a filler.
1. Team Sports or Physical Activities: Participating in team sports like football, basketball, or volleyball demonstrates that you can work collaboratively and understand the value of team dynamics. Similarly, individual sports like running, cycling, or yoga show discipline, focus, and perseverance.
2. Creative Hobbies: Activities such as painting, writing, photography, or playing a musical instrument indicate creativity and innovation. These interests might resonate with employers in creative industries like marketing, design, or media.
3. Volunteering or Charitable Work: Volunteering shows that you have a sense of social responsibility, empathy, and teamwork. It’s an excellent way to display your character, and many companies value employees who are involved in charitable work.
4. Traveling and Cultural Interests: If you’re someone who loves to travel or explore different cultures, this can indicate that you are adaptable, open-minded, and able to navigate diverse environments—qualities that can be beneficial for global companies or roles requiring international collaboration.
5. Technology and Coding: If your interest in technology goes beyond your professional work, such as coding, app development, or playing strategic video games, it can show that you are passionate about learning and staying up to date with new trends in tech.
What to Avoid
While the hobbies and interests for CV section can enhance your application, it’s important to avoid common pitfalls. Here’s what you should leave off your CV:
1. Vague Interests: Listing generic hobbies like “reading” or “watching TV” doesn’t provide much insight into who you are or what you bring to the table. If you mention reading, specify your favorite genres or authors, or highlight how reading contributes to your personal growth (e.g., “Reading non-fiction to stay updated on industry trends”).
2. Overly Personal or Controversial Hobbies: Avoid including hobbies that could be considered divisive or overly personal, such as political activism, controversial sports, or anything that could potentially alienate the interviewer. Keep it professional and aligned with the job.
3. Unrelated Hobbies: It’s tempting to list every hobby you enjoy, but if it doesn’t relate to the job or doesn’t demonstrate transferable skills, it’s better to leave it out. Focus on the activities that will contribute to your professional persona.
How to Format Hobbies and Interests on Your CV
To ensure your hobbies and interests make a positive impact, they should be placed in a separate section towards the end of your CV. This section should be concise and easy to read. You can format it as a simple bullet-point list or a brief paragraph, depending on the style of your CV.
Including a hobbies and interests for CV section can provide valuable context about your personality, skills, and potential fit for a role. By carefully selecting hobbies that reflect your character and competencies, you can use this section to demonstrate qualities that complement your professional experience. Just remember to keep it relevant, specific, and professional, and you’ll have a CV that tells a well-rounded story about who you are as both a worker and an individual.
