Your resume is a reflection of who you are and the knowledge, skills, and experience you have gained throughout your career. But not all lessons are learned on the job. Sometimes your activities off the clock can also add value and allow you to excel in your job. When it comes to your resume, personal interests and hobbies can either help or hinder your efforts depending on the situation.
We’re taking a closer look at some basic dos and don’ts when deciding whether these elements should be given space on your resume or are better left off.
Tips for Adding Personal Interests and Hobbies to Your Resume
- Do keep it relevant.
You don’t want to add interests just for the sake of taking up room on your resume or sharing personal details. Think about what you want to add and then what value that brings to your resume. How does a potential employer benefit from knowing that information, and what does it say about you as a prospective employee?
If you want to add personal interests and hobbies, make sure they have a clear tie to the position or company. For instance, international travel can make you a more attractive candidate to employers who have a strong global presence and may require you to travel abroad. Work that you do in your free time advocating for social causes or fundraising can also be valuable if they align with the business’ mission and culture.
- Don’t include controversial topics.
Anything that is divisive such as political or religious affiliations should not be included on your resume. You may be proud of the work you put in campaigning for a specific delegate, but it could introduce intentional or unintentional bias when a hiring manager is reviewing your application. One exception is if you are applying to an organization that is directly aligned with your political or religious views and that information is pertinent to the job.
- Do add interests that offer additional insight.
Focus on interests that are not otherwise expressed in your resume or that don’t fit within a specific role. For example, mentioning that you have competed in Ironman triathlons or run marathons is an impressive feat and says a lot about your dedication, determination, and persistence. Your interest in foreign languages can make you a valuable asset due to your ability to communicate with people from other countries and your understanding of different cultures. Learning another language as an adult is challenging.
- Don’t lie about your hobbies.
Do not embellish your interests or involvement with various hobbies because you think it will look more impressive to a hiring manager. While they may be intrigued at first, it can be a major red flag if they ask you for more information and you have to admit that you lied. Or if you are hired and are asked to do something related to what you put on your resume and cannot.
- Do keep details concise.
Be brief and only provide essential information that conveys what you did and, if appropriate, the impact it made. Your personal interests and hobbies are meant to complement your professional experience and should only be a line or two. Remember that you can always elaborate during an interview if asked.
- Don’t list vague activities.
Unless it is directly relevant to the role, mentioning activities such as reading, cooking, or fitness does little to make you stand out from other candidates. These are hobbies that virtually anyone could say they have. If you are going to include personal interests and hobbies, make sure they add value and tie into the role for which you are applying.
- Do research the company culture first.
In some cases, you may choose to highlight certain interests because they fit with the company culture. Review the company’s website and see how they present themselves and their team. Are they passionate about community outreach and engagement? Is their work closely related to environmental or social causes that you also support? Do they have bios for leadership that emphasize personal interests? Those can be signs that adding this type of information to your resume could be beneficial.
On the other hand, if the site is very formal and professional, incorporating hobbies into your resume may not be appropriate. Or, if the business advocates for animal rights, saying that you are an avid hunter may not be the way to go. Pay attention to the overall feel and impression the business portrays to guide your decision making.
- Don’t use this section as a joke.
Your resume is not the place to be making jokes or showcasing your sense of humor. What you think is funny, a hiring manager may not. Skip the one-liners and self-deprecating jabs about how you’re the “world’s worst dancer” or you excel at “being awesome.” It can create a poor first impression if the person reading your resume doesn’t get the joke, and they may also question whether you’re going to take your job seriously.
Creating a More Impactful Resume
Including personal interests and hobbies on your resume should be done with caution. While they can add value when incorporated correctly, they can also detract from your professional experience and take up valuable real estate on your resume if not relevant.
The team at Grammar Chic can help you determine if you should include this type of information on your resume and how to present it in an effective way. Make sure your resume is sending the right impression and presenting you in a positive light. Contact us at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net to learn more about available services and schedule a consultation.
