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How to nail your Hobbies section on a resume?

Hobbies can be a very helpful addition to showcasing who you are, your personality and your capacity for work.

Tomas Ondrejka avatar
Written by Tomas Ondrejka
Updated over 4 years ago
  1. You can name the section simply as “Hobbies”.

  2. Avoid being vague. The point of listing hobbies on your resume is NOT to mention everything you like to do. For example, saying that you like music isn’t going to help you make a stronger case for your candidacy. Everybody likes music. Do you only listen to music or do you also write your own music? You get the idea.

  3. Instead of listing too many of your hobbies and interests on a resume, pick 4-5. Think about a skill or an achievement that best illustrates your passion for an activity and put it right next to it.

  4. Depending on a company, you can also follow up by simply listing some of the quirkier hobbies you have. The point is to give them a peek of your personality. At the same time, don’t go all out with companies that have a very formal company culture.

  5. Finally, keep your hobbies section short.

Tips:

  • Be professional. Don’t include any sensitive subjects such as politics, any controversial issues, religion or sex.

  • Don’t mention risky and time-consuming activities. Your future employer wants to have you fit and able to work. Any activities that put your life at risk or are too time-consuming may scare them.

  • Don’t use buzzwords. Football, reading, traveling, music, social media? Nope. If you really like reading so much that you want to mention it, at least be specific. Reading is not a unique interest. Reading 55 books a year is.

  • Don’t overdo it. Adding too many hobbies and interests to fill up more space isn’t a good idea. Keep it simple, list only the best ones and leave the valuable space on your resume for more important information.

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