Should You Add Hobbies to Your Resume?
Posted April 26th, 2019
When you are writing a resume, you need to make sure that all of the content is relevant to the position. Often, listing details about your hobbies won’t provide the hiring manager with much value, particularly if they have nothing to do with the role or your field.
However, there are some instances where discussing your hobbies can actually benefit you as a candidate, even if they are directly connected to your profession. They allow you to showcase a part of your personality that can be important for the hiring manager to learn, making them smart additions to your resume.
If you are wondering which hobbies may be worth including, here are a few that can actually reflect positively on you.
Endurance Sports
If you are a long-distance runner, cycler, or swimmer, including details about your fitness hobby can be a smart move. These activities take a significant amount of dedication, perseverance, and focus, traits that the hiring manager may be hoping to find.
It is also common to face challenges while training for an endurance sport competition. Being able to overcome adversity is something else the hiring manager may be looking for, so discussing this hobby isn’t automatically a bad idea.
Creative Writing
Writers, even when they are hobbyists, are putting their communication skills to the test on a regular basis. Plus, they often work on expanding their vocabulary and strive to discuss complex ideas in ways that are relatable to the reader.
If you are a creative writer, then creativity could also be one of your strengths. While this could also apply to painters, sculptors, and other artists, the fact that creative writing aligns with written communication capabilities could make this one a real stand out.
Strategy Games
If you are a fan of games like Go, Chess, and Risk, then mentioning them could give you a chance to highlight your strategic thinking capabilities, particularly if you can’t find a suitable example in your work history. It also showcases your ability to be analytical, forward-thinking, and logical, all of which the hiring manager may value.
While it is true that certain video games also require strategic thinking, the hiring manager may have more trouble connecting those ideas than if you play one of the games mentioned above. There are still some negative stereotypes surrounding video games, so, unless you know for a fact that the hiring manager won’t think poorly of your gaming, those aren’t always the best examples to use.
Team Sports
Playing as part of a team shows that you know how to work cooperatively with others and get along with people. Since teamwork is critical for nearly any role, letting the hiring manager know that you regularly play a team sport can demonstrate you have this crucial skill in a slightly different way.
Ultimately, all of the hobbies above could be worth adding to your resume or detailing in your cover letter. However, if you can showcase these capabilities in your work history, then that is typically the best approach.
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