Should You Put Hobbies and Interests on a CV?

When it comes to writing a CV, many people wonder whether to include their hobbies and interests or not. While some argue that it provides a glimpse into your personality and can make you stand out to potential employers, others believe it is irrelevant and can actually work against you. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of including hobbies and interests on your CV and help you determine whether or not it is worth doing so.

The Importance of Hobbies and Interests on a CV

When it comes to crafting a CV, many job seekers wonder whether or not they should include a section on hobbies and interests. While some argue that this information is unnecessary and irrelevant to a potential employer, others believe that showcasing your hobbies and interests can provide valuable insight into who you are as a person and what you can bring to the table as an employee.

Hobbies and Interests Show Your Personality

One of the main reasons to include a section on hobbies and interests in your CV is that it can help you to showcase your personality. While your work experience and qualifications are certainly important, they don’t necessarily give an employer an idea of what kind of person you are outside of work. By including information about your hobbies and interests, you can give potential employers a glimpse into your personality and what makes you unique.

Hobbies and Interests Can Demonstrate Skills

Another reason to consider including a section on hobbies and interests in your CV is that it can help to demonstrate your skills. Many hobbies and interests require a certain level of skill or knowledge, and highlighting these can show that you have abilities that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re an avid photographer, you could include this in your CV to demonstrate your creativity and attention to detail.

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Hobbies and Interests Can Help You Stand Out

In a competitive job market, it’s important to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Including a section on hobbies and interests in your CV can be a great way to do this. If you have unique hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, this can help you to stand out from other candidates who may have similar qualifications and work experience.

When Not to Include Hobbies and Interests

While there are certainly benefits to including a section on hobbies and interests in your CV, there are also some situations where it may not be appropriate or necessary.

One key takeaway from this text is that including hobbies and interests on a CV can be beneficial if they showcase your personality and relevant skills, but it should be avoided if the hobbies and interests are irrelevant or controversial. When including them, it’s important to keep them specific and relevant to the job and show how they relate to the position.

When Hobbies and Interests Are Irrelevant

If your hobbies and interests don’t have any relevance to the job you’re applying for, it may be best to leave them off your CV. For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your love of skydiving probably isn’t relevant.

When There’s Limited Space

If you’re applying for a job where there’s limited space on your CV, such as a one-page resume, it may be best to leave off a section on hobbies and interests. In this case, it’s more important to focus on your qualifications and work experience.

When Hobbies and Interests Could Be Controversial

Finally, it’s important to remember that not all hobbies and interests are appropriate to include in a CV. If your hobbies or interests could be controversial or offensive to potential employers, it’s best to leave them off. For example, if you enjoy hunting, this may not be well-received by a potential employer who is a strong advocate for animal rights.

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How to Include Hobbies and Interests on Your CV

If you do decide to include a section on hobbies and interests in your CV, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Keep it Relevant

First and foremost, make sure that your hobbies and interests are relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a job in marketing, for example, hobbies like blogging or social media management could be relevant.

Be Specific

Rather than just listing generic hobbies like “reading” or “traveling,” be specific about your interests. For example, instead of just saying that you enjoy reading, you could mention that you’re particularly interested in science fiction or biographies.

Show How Your Hobbies and Interests Relate to the Job

Finally, it’s important to show how your hobbies and interests relate to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a job as a project manager, you could mention that you’re an avid hiker and that this has helped you to develop skills like planning and organization.

FAQs – Should you put hobbies and interests on a CV?

Is it important to include hobbies and interests on a CV?

Including hobbies and interests on a CV can be beneficial, as it shows the recruiter or hiring manager a bit about your personality and what you like to do outside of work. Hobbies and interests can also indicate skills and qualities that may be transferable to the workplace. For example, if you mention that you enjoy playing team sports, the employer may see that you are a team player who can work collaboratively with others.

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Are there any hobbies that should not be included on a CV?

When it comes to hobbies, there isn’t really a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer as it can depend on the context of the job you’re applying for. However, in general, it is best to avoid hobbies or interests that may be viewed as controversial or offensive, such as extreme political views or activities that involve illegal or unethical behavior. It is also best to avoid hobbies that may be irrelevant to the job you’re applying for, as this can make your CV appear cluttered and unfocused.

How should hobbies and interests be listed on a CV?

When listing hobbies and interests on a CV, it is best to keep it brief and to the point. List them under a separate ‘Hobbies and Interests’ section, and include only the ones that showcase relevant skills or qualities that can add value to the job you’re applying for. Choose hobbies and interests that align with the company culture or the job requirements to make your CV stand out.

Can including hobbies and interests on a CV work against you?

While including hobbies and interests on a CV can be beneficial, it is also possible that it may work against you if they are not relevant to the job you’re applying for. If the recruiter believes that you spend too much time on personal interests rather than focusing on the job, it can create a negative impression. In this case, it might be better not to include any irrelevant hobbies and interests on your CV at all.

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