When it comes to writing your CV, it is important to include a section highlighting your hobbies and interests. While this may seem like an insignificant section, it can provide potential employers with insight into your personality, interests, and skills that may not be evident in your work experience or qualifications. This introduction will guide you on what to include and how to present your hobbies and interests on your CV.
Understanding the Importance of Hobbies and Interests on Your CV
When it comes to writing a CV, including your hobbies and interests may seem like an afterthought. However, this section can be a valuable opportunity to showcase your personality and demonstrate your skills outside of work. It can also help you stand out from other candidates and give potential employers a glimpse into who you are outside of the office.
The Benefits of Including Hobbies and Interests on Your CV
- Demonstrates your personality and interests
- Shows your ability to balance work and personal life
- Indicates skills and qualities that may not be evident in your work experience
- Can make you stand out from other candidates
Choosing the Right Hobbies and Interests to Include
While including hobbies and interests can be beneficial, it’s important to choose the right ones to showcase on your CV. Consider your audience and industry, and make sure your hobbies and interests align with the values and goals of the company or organization you’re applying to.
Including hobbies and interests on your CV is more important than it may seem at first. This section can showcase your personality, demonstrate your ability to balance work and personal life, highlight skills and qualities that may not be evident in your work experience, and help you stand out from other candidates. When choosing hobbies and interests to include, consider the industry and company culture, choose ones that demonstrate relevant skills or qualities, avoid controversial or potentially offensive hobbies, and don’t include too many. Use active language and action verbs and don’t be afraid to show your personality.
Tips for Choosing the Right Hobbies and Interests
- Consider the industry and company culture
- Choose hobbies and interests that demonstrate skills or qualities relevant to the job
- Avoid controversial or potentially offensive hobbies
- Don’t include too many hobbies or interests
How to Showcase Your Hobbies and Interests on Your CV
Once you’ve chosen the right hobbies and interests to include, it’s important to showcase them effectively on your CV. This section should be brief but impactful, and should provide enough detail to give potential employers a sense of who you are and what you enjoy outside of work.
Key takeaway: Including hobbies and interests on your CV is a valuable opportunity to showcase your personality, skills, and qualities outside of work. However, it’s important to choose the right ones that align with the industry and company culture, and to showcase them effectively by keeping it brief yet impactful and using active language. Additionally, avoiding controversial hobbies and showing your personality are crucial elements in making you stand out from other candidates.
Tips for Showcasing Your Hobbies and Interests
- Keep it brief and to the point
- Provide enough detail to demonstrate your skills and interests
- Use active language and action verbs
- Don’t be afraid to show your personality
Examples of Hobbies and Interests to Include on Your CV
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for hobbies and interests to include on your CV, here are some examples to get you started:
Creative Hobbies
- Painting or drawing
- Photography
- Writing or blogging
- Playing an instrument
Active Hobbies
- Running or jogging
- Hiking or camping
- Dancing or yoga
- Playing team sports
Volunteer Work
- Mentoring or tutoring
- Fundraising or event planning
- Community service or activism
- Working with animals
Educational Hobbies
- Learning a new language
- Taking online courses or attending workshops
- Reading or researching
Demonstrates Your Personality and Interests
Including hobbies and interests on your CV is a great way to show your personality and interests. It gives potential employers a better sense of who you are as a person and what you enjoy doing in your free time. This can help you make a connection with potential employers and stand out from other candidates who may have similar work experience.
Shows Your Ability to Balance Work and Personal Life
Including hobbies and interests on your CV can also demonstrate your ability to balance work and personal life. It shows that you have a life outside of work and are able to manage your time effectively. This can be a valuable quality in many industries, especially those that require a lot of work-life balance.
Indicates Skills and Qualities That May Not Be Evident in Your Work Experience
Including hobbies and interests on your CV can also indicate skills and qualities that may not be evident in your work experience. For example, if you enjoy playing team sports, it shows that you are a team player and can work effectively with others. If you enjoy reading or researching, it shows that you are curious and enjoy learning new things.
Can Make You Stand Out from Other Candidates
Including hobbies and interests on your CV can also help you stand out from other candidates. It can give you a unique edge and make you more memorable to potential employers. This is especially important in industries that are highly competitive or where there are many candidates with similar work experience.
Consider the Industry and Company Culture
When choosing hobbies and interests to include on your CV, consider the industry and company culture. For example, if you’re applying for a job in a creative industry, such as advertising or graphic design, it may be beneficial to include creative hobbies, such as painting or photography. If you’re applying for a job in a more traditional industry, such as finance or law, it may be more appropriate to include hobbies that demonstrate focus and attention to detail, such as reading or playing chess.
Choose Hobbies and Interests That Demonstrate Skills or Qualities Relevant to the Job
When choosing hobbies and interests to include on your CV, choose ones that demonstrate skills or qualities that are relevant to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a job that requires teamwork, it may be beneficial to include hobbies that involve working with others, such as team sports or volunteering. If you’re applying for a job that requires creativity, it may be beneficial to include hobbies that involve creating, such as writing or drawing.
Avoid Controversial or Potentially Offensive Hobbies
When choosing hobbies and interests to include on your CV, it’s important to avoid controversial or potentially offensive hobbies. This includes hobbies that may be viewed as discriminatory or offensive, such as hunting or political activism. It’s important to remember that your CV is your first impression to potential employers, and you want to make sure you are presenting yourself in the best possible light.
Don’t Include Too Many Hobbies or Interests
When choosing hobbies and interests to include on your CV, it’s important not to include too many. While it’s important to showcase your personality and interests, you don’t want to overwhelm potential employers with too much information. Stick to a few hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job and that demonstrate your skills and qualities.
Keep It Brief and to the Point
When showcasing your hobbies and interests on your CV, it’s important to keep it brief and to the point. This section should be no more than a few sentences and should highlight the most important information.
Provide Enough Detail to Demonstrate Your Skills and Interests
While it’s important to keep this section brief, it’s also important to provide enough detail to demonstrate your skills and interests. For example, if you enjoy playing team sports, you may want to mention the name of your team and the position you play. If you enjoy writing, you may want to mention the topics you like to write about.
Use Active Language and Action Verbs
When showcasing your hobbies and interests on your CV, it’s important to use active language and action verbs. This helps to make your hobbies and interests sound more interesting and engaging. For example, instead of saying “I like to read,” you could say “I devour books on a daily basis.”
Don’t Be Afraid to Show Your Personality
When showcasing your hobbies and interests on your CV, don’t be afraid to show your personality. This is your opportunity to demonstrate who you are as a person and what you enjoy doing in your free time. Use this section to showcase your passions and interests, and make yourself stand out from other candidates.
FAQs for the topic: What can I write for hobbies and interests on my CV?
Why should I include hobbies and interests on my CV?
Including hobbies and interests on your CV can help to showcase your personality and passions outside of work. It can help the employer to understand if you have any transferable skills that could be useful in the role you are applying for. Additionally, it can help you to stand out from other candidates as it gives a glimpse into who you are beyond a list of qualifications and work experience.
What are some examples of hobbies and interests I can include on my CV?
The type of hobbies and interests that you include on your CV will depend on the role you are applying for and the company culture. Some examples could include sports, music, volunteering, reading, writing, taking courses in a particular subject, or even involvement in a club or society. Try to focus on hobbies or interests that align with the values or mission of the company or that demonstrate your skills such as team-working, leadership, or creativity.
Should I include all of my hobbies and interests on my CV?
You should only include hobbies and interests that are relevant to the role you are applying for or that will help to highlight your transferable skills. Avoid simply listing generic hobbies such as ‘reading’ or ‘listening to music’ and instead try to demonstrate how your hobbies or interests have developed transferable skills that may be useful in the role.
Can including certain hobbies or interests harm my chances of getting the job?
In general, including hobbies and interests on your CV is unlikely to harm your chances of getting the job unless they are inappropriate, offensive, or controversial. Avoid mentioning anything that could be seen as a potential conflict of interest or that could create a negative impression of you.
Where should I include hobbies and interests on my CV?
You can include hobbies and interests as a separate section near the end of your CV or you can incorporate them into the personal profile or personal statement section at the beginning. Some employers may not be interested in this information, so always check the job description or company website to see if they have any guidance on including hobbies and interests.
