Hobbies & Interests on a Resume: What to Include (and What to Skip)

The hobbies and interests section is probably the most underrated — and most misused — part of a resume. Some candidates fill it in automatically with "movies, music, travel." Others cut it entirely to save space. Yet when used strategically, this section can tip the scales in your favor. Used carelessly, it can undermine an otherwise strong application.

So should you really include hobbies on your resume? And if so, which ones?

Why Hobbies Can Make a Real Difference

A resume is primarily a list of facts: degrees, work history, skills. That's useful, but it says nothing about the person behind the document. The interests section is one of the few places where you can humanize your profile and give the recruiter a genuine glimpse of who you are.

There are several concrete reasons to take it seriously:

Creating a connection point. Recruiters are human beings. If your hobby overlaps with something the recruiter is passionate about — rock climbing, chess, photography — you become memorable. That's not manipulation; it's simply human conversation before the interview even begins.

Demonstrating transferable skills. A team sport reveals collaborative ability. A personal blog signals communication skills and self-discipline. Volunteering speaks to your values. These attributes often don't appear in the experience section, yet they meaningfully round out your profile.

Reinforcing your overall narrative. A developer who participates in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions sends a strong signal to a tech recruiter. A salesperson who does combat sports communicates tenacity and competitiveness. Well-chosen interests reinforce the story your resume is telling.

Interests That Strengthen Your Application

Here are the categories recruiters respond to most positively, and why they work.

Team sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball, rugby...) The message is clear: you know how to work within a group, respect roles, manage disagreements, and stay focused on a shared goal. In nearly every industry, that matters.

Competitive or high-discipline individual sports (triathlon, marathon, rock climbing, martial arts...) These pursuits reveal an ability to push past limits, maintain strict self-discipline, and commit for the long haul. They speak of ambition and resilience — traits that translate directly to professional environments.

Volunteering and community involvement This may be the single strongest mention you can include. It speaks to your values, your generosity, and your ability to commit without financial incentive. For recruiters attentive to company culture, it's a very powerful signal.

Reading Simple, but effective. Reading — especially if you specify the type (essays, foreign literature, history) — signals intellectual curiosity and an unusual capacity for focus. Avoid writing "reading" with no further detail.

Travel If you travel meaningfully and not just as a passive tourist, be specific: "Solo travel across Southeast Asia," "Cultural immersion trips," "Travel journal maintained for 3 years." Adaptability and open-mindedness are real competencies that travel genuinely develops.

Playing a musical instrument Learning to play an instrument takes years of discipline, repetition, and attention to detail. It's fundamentally different from "listening to music." Regular practice — even at an amateur level — demonstrates the ability to persist through a long, complex learning curve.

Strategy games (chess, bridge, poker...) These activities send a clear signal: logical reasoning, forward thinking, risk management, and the ability to read complex situations. For analytical profiles (finance, consulting, tech), they're particularly relevant. Mentioning your level or tournament participation adds credibility.

Content creation (blog, podcast, YouTube channel, photography, video...) If you produce something consistently, you're demonstrating initiative, editorial discipline, and the ability to communicate. Add the link if the content is professional and polished. It often speaks louder than three lines of listed skills.

Associations and clubs Being an active member — not just nominally registered — of an organization reveals a sense of responsibility, interpersonal skills, and sometimes leadership if you hold a specific role. Mention whether you're a secretary, treasurer, project lead, or engaged general member.

Interests to Avoid or Reframe

Some mentions do more harm than good. Here are the classic traps.

"Movies, music, travel" (or any generic combination like this) This formula is so widespread it no longer communicates anything. Recruiters skim past it without registering it. If you genuinely love film, be specific: "European arthouse cinema," "Film analysis on Letterboxd for 4 years." If you can't make it specific, leave it out.

Video games This is a sensitive one. The instinctive reaction from many recruiters remains cautious, even as the perception of gaming evolves. If you feel strongly about including it, reframe to highlight what's genuinely valuable: "Real-time strategy games (StarCraft, Age of Empires)," "48-hour game jam participant," "Mod development." On its own, "video games" without context is best avoided in most traditional sectors.

Overly personal or potentially polarizing activities Certain hobbies can inadvertently create bias — whether tied to religion, politics, or niche practices that a recruiter might misread. This isn't about shame; it's about professional relevance. Keep these for conversations during the interview if they arise naturally.

Passive activities presented as active ones "Gastronomy" could mean "I eat well" or "I cook seriously, attend workshops, and completed a pastry course." The difference is enormous. Be precise so your interest comes across as credible and genuine.

How to Format the Interests Section

Format. A simple list is enough, with a short clarification in parentheses where useful. No need for full sentences. Example: "Rock climbing (6b level, indoor and outdoor) — Portrait photography (Instagram: 2,000 followers) — Volunteering at a local food bank (every winter since 2021)."

Position on the resume. This section belongs at the bottom, after your experience, education, and skills. It completes your profile without dominating it.

Number of interests. Two to four, no more. Beyond that, you dilute the impact. Choose the ones most aligned with the role and easiest to speak to in an interview.

Length. This section doesn't need more than two lines. Concision is the point.

Matching Interests to Your Industry

The same interest doesn't land the same way in every context.

Finance, consulting, audit: Favor intellectual rigor (chess, economics essays), competition (high-level sport), serious associative involvement.

Creative and communications sectors: Showcase your creative world (photography, illustration, design, writing, music). This is where personal content creation shines most.

Tech and development: Personal GitHub projects, hackathon participation, CTF competitions, or open-source contributions are powerful inclusions. They're not strictly hobbies, but they live in that zone of the resume.

Social and nonprofit sectors: Volunteering, humanitarian engagement, and community project involvement are almost essential. They reinforce the coherence of your profile.

Sales and business development: Physical endurance (marathon, trail running), team leadership (team captain), and communication-based hobbies (public speaking, group facilitation) are highly relevant.

Conclusion

The interests section isn't filler. It's an opportunity. It lets you stand out from candidates with similar backgrounds, show who you are beyond your credentials, and sometimes create that decisive moment of recognition with the recruiter.

The golden rule: every item you list must be something you could speak about for two minutes with genuine enthusiasm and specific detail. If you can't, don't include it.

Ready to build a resume that presents your full profile — including your interests — in the best possible light? Our CV Builder guides you through every section to create a structured, readable, and compelling resume in just a few minutes. Build your resume for free →