I see more resumes per day than I can count, many of those do not stand out, and most of them tend to be pretty similar and well-structured. However, most of them lack the human element.

Last week, when I was speaking with a hiring manager, I asked him, "Why would someone like to work here?" and he responded, "Our team is all about getting out there and having a good time together. We are big into outdoor stuff, such as fishing, hiking, golfing, biking – you name it. We are all about that life. And, it's pretty crucial that anyone who joins us is into the same kind of things."

A couple of days later, I found myself listening to a podcast, and one of the women on it was saying how important it is to add your interests or hobbies to your resume. She mentioned that adding this in your resume can:

Make you stand out from other candidates
Offer conversation starters during interviews and help break the ice
Play a role in demonstrating how you’ll relate to the company’s culture.

Remember, a resume is a living, breathing document of “you”—a single piece of paper that serves as your only first impression.

Listing your interests or hobbies on a resume serves a purpose beyond merely filling space; it provides employers with valuable insights into your personality, character, and potential cultural fit within their organization.

While professional qualifications and experiences demonstrate your competency for a role, your interests reveal facets of your identity that might not be apparent otherwise. In addition, your hobbies or interests can help highlight transferable skills that are useful to the role. Listing some hobbies and/or experiences that are appropriate for the position can help you prove that you’re even more of a fit. Don’t go overboard though—two to three examples are perfect.

Make sure to:

Add your interests to the bottom of your resume.
Briefly describe how each relates to the job.
Use relevant details you have not listed yet.

Here’s an example of how to do this in a resume:

Hobbies and Interests

International travel: Make and plan annual trips to different countries to experience new cultures.
Guitar: 10 years of guitar playing with regular lessons and practice, including being a part of a small band.
Community service: Actively volunteer at a local community soup kitchen twice a month to prepare and serve food.
Mountain biking: Plan and execute team-based mountain biking excursions with a local biking club.

Ultimately, including your hobbies or interests on your resume humanizes you as a candidate, presenting a well-rounded picture beyond your professional achievements alone.

Written by: Sandy Rivera, Recruiting Coordinator at Hunter Crown, LLC

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