14+ Hobbies & Interests for CV (Including Examples & Ready-To-Use Template)

One of the most controversial questions about CVs is whether you should include your hobbies and interests.

Many would argue that they have no place in your professional documents, and that the hiring manager would not be interested in something so personal when considering you for a job, but that’s not entirely true.

Your hobbies and interests, when picked correctly, can show the hiring manager some really important skills and a clear proof of them.

But how to choose the right hobbies and interests in your CV?

We are going to show you just that, in this article we are going to answer the following questions:

• What are hobbies and interests?
• Should you list hobbies and interests on CV?
• How to list hobbies and interests on CV?
• What are the most common mistakes when it comes to your CV hobbies & interests?
  

Afterwards, we are going to provide you with a great list of hobbies and interests that you should list on your CV, and we are going to leave you off with some great examples from Enhancv-made CVs.

If you are uncertain about your overall CV structure and how to get the best out of it, check out our CV Builder and create a unique and attention-grabbing design in no time.

But if you are ready to explore the hobbies and interests section of your CV, stick around.

What are hobbies and interests?

Before we go any further, you should understand what hobbies and interests are, and what sets them apart.

What are hobbies?

Hobbies are things that you do regularly, and you enjoy doing.

For example, if you say video editing is a hobby, it means you enjoy editing, and you do it regularly.

What are interests?

Interests, or activities, are things you’re curious about.

For example, if you said editing is one of your interests, it means you want to learn more about it or start doing it in the future.

The difference between the two is fairly subtle, but when you’re putting this on your CV, you want to nail it.

Should you list hobbies and interests on CV?

In some cases, your hobbies and interests can really work great for you. They can be used to both express passion for the industry you are in and to also show that your values align with the company - or perhaps with the recruiter! Here's a great example - feel free to use this template.

There are a few cases when you should absolutely list your hobbies and interests, and we are going to go through them one by one.

You have limited skills and work experience

If you have just graduated from college or university, you most probably lack the professional experience and skills your potential employers would be looking for.

That would put you in some disadvantage compared to other applicants who are older, and already have some work experience behind them.

One way to combat that obstacle is to get the best out of your hobbies and interests. If your inner personality and values strongly align with the job responsibilities and cultural environment, hiring managers may see you as a more beneficial asset to mold for the future.

Furthermore, your potential employers may even prefer a candidate with limited experience, as they would have the opportunity to train you just the way they want.

The hiring managers are demanding originality and creativity

Another possible case is for hiring managers to be looking for something different in their work environment.

In that case, employers would be on the lookout for all the values you can bring to the table that would make you stand out from the competition.

Personality-wise, they’ll be looking at what you enjoy doing that could potentially give them a bigger return on investment in the future.

You’re asked specifically to include them

A reason for you to absolutely list your hobbies and interests in your CV is if you are specifically asked for that in the job listing. Make sure you read it carefully, so that you don’t miss out on that opportunity.

Even if there is nothing about your hobbies and interests in the job listing, you may receive a follow-up email from your employer asking about them, in which case you should not hesitate to share that information with them.

How to list hobbies and interests on CV?

The first important step you need to take when listing your hobbies and interests on your CV is researching the company you are applying for.

You need to understand what kind of people they value and what skills are really important to them, and for the position you are applying for.

The easiest way to find out all the information is to take a look at the:

• The company’s website and more specifically – their about page
• Reviews and opinions about the organization
• Social media accounts (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter)
  

Once you are done with that research, you should already know, you should only list hobbies and interests that are relevant to the company and the position you are applying for.

Make sure you can clearly explain how that hobby relates to you as a professional, if asked during the hiring process.

When you have your list ready, you need to do just two things:

• Create a “Hobbies” or “Hobbies & Interests” section in your CV. Make sure you include it toward the end of the document, as your hobbies are not nearly as important as your experience, skills, and education
• Take a look at your list and pick up to 5 of your relevant hobbies and interests in your CV. Make sure you don’t list anything too generic
  

If you want to take a step further and stand out a little more, there are a couple of things you can do:

• Use keywords you can find in the job description
• Use examples that show off your skills through your hobbies and interests
• Use visual representation where possible
  

Don’t overdo it, though, as you should still stick to a one-page CV, and not use too much space for your hobbies and interest.

What are the most common mistakes when it comes to your CV hobbies & interests?

Now that you know how to list your hobbies and interests, let’s take a look at the most common mistakes that you should avoid doing:

• Don’t list low productivity or engaging activities – mentioning you enjoy watching Netflix and taking 4-hour naps in the middle of the afternoon or playing video games 8-hours straight is an awful mistake. It shows employers you’re lazy and have no extra value to add to their company.
• Stay away from controversial beliefs – e.g., political interests will put employers off, and it’s not exactly professional. So, avoid bringing them up.
• Don’t list hobbies and interests that convey any negative information – any antisocial and dangerous activities, or jokes that employers may not understand, can only hurt your chances of getting the job
• Don’t list anything too generic – this section is mainly about being different and creative. Try to avoid writing something dull and the same as everybody else.

A list of hobbies and interests that you should include on your CV

All that information may come across as overwhelming, and you can start wondering what hobbies and interest you can list, and what you should stay away from.

To help you out, we have created a list of hobbies and interests you should absolutely take advantage of, and list on your CV.

Creative hobbies

Creativity is an integral part of every successful business. That’s why including hobbies and interests that are intertwined with creativity can help you get a job interview. Here are some creative hobbies that we think are great additions to any CV.

Art

As a whole, anything that requires creativity is largely valued by the hiring managers. This includes activities such as:

• Painting
• Graphic design
• Fine art
• Architecture
• Painting
• Graphic design
• Fine art
• Architecture
• Photography
• Interior decorating
• Stand-up comedy
• Calligraphy
• Any kind of instrument you play
• Any kind of writing you do
  

Alongside your creativity, it also indicates critical thinking and analytical skills, since you can see things from multiple perspectives.

Performing arts

Performing arts is another form of creativity. This involves physical, creative activities where you perform on stage in front of an audience.

For example:

• Drama and theater
• Music
• Public speeches
• Dance
• Marching band
• Storytelling
• Choir
• Cheerleading
• Flash mobs
• Figure skating
  

With any of these performing arts, you’re performing in front of an audience. Not only does it show employers you have a good level of self-confidence, but you’re disciplined and committed because you dedicate time to practice.

It also displays good time management, productivity, and organization skills. Especially when you have a busy schedule.

Visual Arts

This time, I’m referring to things we see on-screen:

• Film production and cinematography
• Videography
• Photography
• Editing
• Photomontages
• Drawing
• Cartographic work
• Jewelry design
• Technical drawings
• Original prints
  

Another attractive part for employers from doing photoshoots or recording scenes is when it comes to collaborations. This is because you’re experienced in managing and organizing events, as well as taking the lead.

Analytical hobbies and interests

But if you don’t exactly think of yourself as an art person, analytical hobbies like chess and these below can be a brilliant addition to your job application.

Technology

The world around us is evolving because of technology. A.I. is beginning to take over the world and start a new era. For this reason, having software proficiency and being skilled in technology will catch the employer’s attention.

Hobbies and interests in this field could include:

• Programming
• Web design and development
• Coding
• 3D modeling
• Animation creation
• Blogging
• Game development
• Photoshop pictures
• Organizing data
• Take online classes
  

Digital Marketing

If you’re a worker looking for a position in the marketing space, employers would value marketing hobbies or interests. This includes:

• Social media
• SEO
• Affiliate marketing
• Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
• Marketing Automation
• Digital Advertising
• Content Marketing
  

These are strongly related to what you’re going to be doing in the marketing space. Therefore, any feats accomplished or passions in a specific area, be sure you bring them up!

Sports

A lot of us love to spend our free time doing all kinds of sports. And, did you know sports can also help you show recruiters that you’re a team player, and you can think fast depending on the type of sport you love playing?

Let’s take a deeper look.

Team Sports & Outdoor Activities

Do you enjoy playing any sports? Or have you ever been part of a team and took part in competitive leagues and tournaments?

Working together as a team shows employers that you have good teamwork and leadership skills. You know how to get along in a group-orientated environment where you need to work with others.

Some team sports that are worth including are:

• Baseball
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Rugby
• Water polo
• Handball
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Cricket
• Football
  

Gym & Exercising

Do you have a solid regimen or routine that you stick to?

I for sure know the struggle of sticking to a routine and constantly pushing myself every week…

This can include:

• Running
• Weight lifting
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Rock climbing
• Pilates
• Yoga
• Karate
• Skiing
• Biking
  

Through that, you are showing employers you aim to push your limits and do more. In that aspect, the thought of persistence and over-delivering is what’s going to grab their attention.

Unique hobbies and interests worth including

Languages

Language fluency shows a strong depth of knowledge and ability to learn – a skill not everyone has.

With the student mentality alongside memorization skills, (even if you lack professional background experience) employers can feel confident that you’re capable of learning and getting up to speed in minimal time.

Social Service

Do you volunteer to help out in your local area? Have you taken part in any community involvement and service?

These charitable activities indicate you’re a person with good moral values, alongside team ability and management skills. If you’ve helped out and served in areas such as charity shops, you may have even developed customer service skills by helping out local shoppers.

Volunteering hobbies and interests may include:

• Volunteering with a religious organization
• Volunteering at an animal shelter
• Firefighter / EMT
• Fostering animals
• Coaching a youth sports team
• Tutoring youngsters
• Volunteering with organizations, helping homeless people
• Volunteering in local committees
• Volunteering at hackathons
  

5 Unique examples from Enhancv-made CVs!

And, as promised, we are going to show you 5 unique examples of hobbies and interests done right in Enhancv CVs.

Hobbies and interests in a Substitute Teacher CV

From this example, we can see that this candidate is an outgoing, extroverted person who enjoys tech and education. Rather than having a description of it, we can come to the same conclusion just by seeing the pie chart and passions listed. It’s a great example that demonstrates the saying, “less is more.”

Hobbies and interests in a Photographer CV

Using CV icons improves the overall experience for employers when they start reading your CV. They’ve made it easier for them by highlighting their hobbies with complimenting colors and a brief description specific to what they like about it.

Hobbies and interests in a freelance web developer CV

Although it’s labeled as “Strengths”, we can still see what this person’s interests are. They like to study and understand the world and are confident in self-change. Both of these pieces of information suggest this candidate is quick to adapt and a fast learner.

Hobbies and interests in a police officer CV

In this example, we can clearly see how he spends his time which also shows us what he’s skilled at (e.g. “building trust”, “syncing with the team”). On top of that, he uses a life philosophy he strongly resonates with. Walt Disney is an inspiration to many. With this quote alongside his passions listed, we can conclude that he’s a hard worker who’s determined to make the world a happier place.

Hobbies and interests in a Social Media Manager CV

You can use a minor section like this if you still have a white space on your CV that you want to fill. Even keeping it as simple as this showcases your personality positively and gives insight to employers to your life outside the workforce.

Takeaways

We are all done, you can now get the best out of your hobbies and interest on your CV.

Let’s just go through it all one last time.

You should consider listing your hobbies and interest on your CV when:

• You have limited work experience and skills
• The hiring manager is demanding originality and creativity
• You are specifically asked to list them
  

Or you can always list them whenever you need to fill some white space on your CV, but make sure you do it right.

And in order to do it right, you need to:

• Do your research on the company and the job position
• Add your “Hobbies & Interests” section toward the end of your CV
• List up to 5 hobbies and interests
• Use keywords you can find in the job description
• Use examples that show off your skills through your hobbies and interests
• Use visual representation where possible
  

Scroll once more through our list of hobbies and interests and feel free to steal any that seem suitable for you.

Take one last look at our unique examples from Enhancv-made CVs are make your hobbies and interests stand out in front of all other candidates.