#214 10 Examples of the Best Hobbies and Interests to Include in Your Resume

Your resume is more than a list of your work history and qualifications. It is your personal marketing tool through which you have an opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer. The best hobbies to include on your resume are the ones you actively pursue.

This list looks at some popular hobbies and highlights a few of the jobs they might be relevant to and what skills they demonstrate. Feel free to use this as a starting point to think about your own hobbies and how to best reference them on your own resume.

1. Blogging
Blogging is one of those hobbies that can add value to an application for almost any role you can think of, particularly if what you blog about is directly related to your field of work. It shows a depth of knowledge and a desire to share it with others, which any employer would be happy to see.
More broadly, blogging helps to demonstrate written communication skills, creativity and a level of IT literacy, all of which are relevant to any role. Some careers for which blogging is an ideal hobby include:
   Journalism
   Marketing
   Advertising
   Copywriting
   Editing

2. Team Sports
This is one of the most common hobby recruiters come across, and for good reason – the right sports involvement can show a range of highly valuable transferable skills. An active member of a football team, for example, requires good communication, teamwork and dedication. If you are going to include this type of hobby, however, make sure it’s something you’ve shown a long-term commitment to. Even better if you can demonstrate a level of authority within the team, like being the captain, as this draws an employer's attention to your leadership skills. Some industries that team sports could be particularly useful for include:
   Personal training
   Sports journalism
   Sports statistical analysis
   Physiotherapy
   Sports psychology
   Team leading

3. Mindfulness Practices
Well-being in the workplace is a top priority for many employers, primarily because happy, healthy employees are generally more productive and more dedicated to their jobs. Mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation show a commitment to your own wellbeing. They also paint a picture of someone able to maintain composure and stay calm under pressure, making them good hobbies to mention if applying for roles in high-stress professions such as:
   Management
   Investment banking
   Emergency services
   Teaching
   Law

4. Music
A general interest in music is nothing special, everyone listens to music. However, it’s a different story if you play an instrument to an advanced level. There’s a strong link between musical proficiency and analytical thinking, so this hobby tells an employer that you’re likely to be a good problem solver and highlights your creativity and dedication. This is a hobby applicable to any role related to music, but may also strengthen an application for roles that require keen problem-solving abilities in areas like:
   Computer programming
   Software development
   Accountancy
   Social work
   Policing

5. Coaching/Mentoring
This could be anything from coaching a local junior sports team to acting as a student mentor at university. It’s a good hobby to highlight as it can show many of the skills associated with strong leadership, like encouragement, motivation and support. It also helps to show you have a sense of responsibility and are driven to help others succeed. Coaching and mentoring can support applications for roles in industries such as:
   Teaching
   Occupational therapy
   Physiotherapy
   Personal training
   Counseling

6. Traveling
This one may seem like a bit of a cliché but traveling can show you as an outgoing person who enjoys exploring new cultures and meeting new people. This can be attractive to employers with a core focus on diversity and inclusion because they need open-minded people to support their initiatives. Provided you have a genuine passion for travel and immersing yourself in cultural experiences, this hobby can bring value to any workplace, particularly in industries prioritizing inclusion and diversity, such as:
   Technology
   Banking
   Finance
   Construction
   Engineering

7. Strategy Games
Whether you’re a keen chess player or enjoy strategy video games, a hobby that shows a high level of critical thinking is well worth mentioning. It demonstrates logic, forward planning and the ability to choose the best course of action based on a given problem. These are skills that can set you apart when applying for roles in areas such as:
   Software development
   Project management
   Events coordination
   IT technical support
   Investment analysis

8. Do It Yourself Projects
Almost every DIY project requires a creative thought process and a flexible approach to problem-solving, since unforeseen obstacles can easily pop up. They also involve skills that might not be immediately obvious, such as budgeting, time management and, if bringing in friends and family to help, people management. These are highly transferable to all roles. Additionally, due to the practical nature of DIY, it’s a hobby particularly well suited for applications to jobs in:
   Construction
   Engineering
   Interior design
   Quantity surveying

9. Reading
Much like traveling, this can be somewhat of a cliché but still has space on a resume provided you’re specific about what you read and why. Non-fiction can be particularly useful as it shows a desire to learn and an analytical mind. It may also be wise to combine reading with other activities that show your sociable side. Consider book clubs or journal discussion societies. Of course, the fact that you enjoy time alone can stand you in good stead for roles in areas like:
   Research
   Librarian science
   Copywriting
   Video editing

10. Volunteering
Mention of voluntary work looks great on any resume as it combines a personal interest with practical work experience. It’s also a worthy way to spend your free time and is looked on favorably by employers. The strongest examples will be linked to your career plan – like volunteering with an animal charity if pursuing a career as a vet – but they don’t always have to be. Volunteering of any kind is a great way to highlight key soft skills like teamwork, communication and time management. As it is such a valuable addition, you might want to consider a dedicated voluntary work section on your resume.

A well-crafted resume is tailored to a particular job description and highlights the core attributes of an ideal candidate, primarily through skills and experience. If you have limited work experience, a hobby can be an effective way to show a potential employer that you already have a range of soft skills that are transferable to the role.

Adapted from an article by WikiJob.co.uk