Should I Add Hobbies And Interests To My CV?

What are your hobbies and interests? Walking on the beach or watching a TV series? Good for you!

Even though a lot of people will tell you not to add them to your CV, however, we recommend you do otherwise. It is a great plan to add this section to describe your recruiter that you are more than just a minion.

When you add a list of the things you like to do in your free time, you basically tell your recruiter that there is a lot more that you are capable of doing. Instead of just sitting in front of a screen, drinking coffee, and attending calls, there are things that you like to do.

However, a list of useless hobbies and interests will not take you anywhere. So, our opinion? Keep your hobbies of watching TV to yourself. Your recruiter does not need to know this.

So, if you are confused as to which hobbies and interests to add to your CV, then we are here as your guiding light to tell you all about it. We have compiled a list of the most ideal hobbies to make your hiring manager act like a dog with two tails.

Read on and be informed about having the most ideal CV in 2024!

Hobbies & Interests: Add Them To Your CV Right Now!

Community Involvement

Adding community involvement or volunteering to your CV is a great way to catch the eyes of your recruiters. It shows empathy and initiative, as well as the ability to see beyond your personal interests. Moreover, this shows your HR that you possess beneficial skills like teamwork, organization, leadership, and much more.

If you are confused as to which hobbies and interests to add to your CV, then we suggest you worry not. Instead, take a chill pill and contact any Top CV writing services in Dubai and let these experts tailor the perfect CV for you!

Writing

The recruiters highly value communication skills. So, listing “writing” as your hobby can highlight that you are an excellent communicator. Moreover, it also demonstrates that you possess the ability to think creatively. By doing so, you can present to your hiring managers some solid examples of your writing in the form of novels, blog posts, essays, etc. It will unlock a lot of mind-blowing opportunities for you. Don’t trust us? Well, add this hobby to your CV right now and see for yourself!

Learning Languages

It is an open secret that speaking multiple languages makes you a highly sought-after candidate. To begin with, employees are constantly seeking candidates who possess excellent communication skills. Moreover, candidates who know more languages are able to convey their messages efficiently to people from different countries. This hobby can be no less than an asset when handling international markets.

As a cherry on top – learning languages is associated with enhancing valuable skills like dealing with abstract concepts as well as problem-solving. Both of these qualities are profitable employee skills. A lot of jobs cherish this hobby. However, in some careers, it is given more priority. These jobs include:

1. Hotel Managers.
2. Human Resources Managers.
3. Customer Service Agents.
4. Flight Attendants.
5. Social Workers.
6. Community Health Workers, and much more.

Photography

We want you to meet Candice! She has a gap in her skill set due to some reasons. Now, she wants to apply for the position of graphic designer. In our opinion, it might be a perfect idea for her to prove that she has an eye for visuals and that her aesthetic sense is more polished than her competitors. How do you think that she can do this?

That is right, by listing photography or other relevant activities as her hobby or interest. Not only will such pursuits prove that she is the right candidate for the job, but they also are a perfect way to break the ice. For instance, Candice listed herself as a freelance fashion photographer. The company is also into fashion and all, so there she goes, immediate connection, no awkwardness. So, perfect!

Travel

Some people might not agree that adding traveling as a hobby is the right thing to do. After all, it requires one to pack their stuff and leave, right?

What if we tell you that you are mistaken? Recruiters do not see travelers as tourists. Instead, they think that the candidate who loves to travel is likely to be:

1. Curious to gain new experiences, learn new things, as well as meet new people.
2. They are not scared to step out of their comfort zones.
3. Adaptable to new people and situations.
4. Well-organized, and much more.

All of these traits guarantee to portray you as an employee who is highly sought-after by recruiters. Quick tip? After you have written your CV, ask any CV editing services in UAE to proofread your application and edit it wherever necessary. This will make sure that your document is expertly revised and up to the mark.

Reading

Another best hobby to put on your resume is reading. No matter what type of books you like to read, this hobby exercises your brain and improves your ability to focus. Moreover, it increases your general knowledge and can sharpen your communication skills.

Guess what? That is not all, but reading helps to relieve stress, and it is also a perfect conversation starter. How so?

Let us tell you! Oliver likes to read books in his leisure time and loves to read books by Arthur Conan Doyle. He mentioned his hobby that he loves to read books written by Arthur Conan Doyle. The recruiter might ask more about the author, and bam! An immediate conversation starter.

Is it a good idea to add hobbies and interests to a CV?

Yes, it is a great idea! You should include this section if they are not already mentioned in your CV. Keep in mind not to add any irrelevant hobbies to your CV. Instead, mention the hobbies that:

1. Indicate that you possess hard and soft skills to help you excel in the job.
2. Showcase that you have positive personality traits.
3. Prove that you will be an asset to the organization or the company.

What skills should I add to my CV in 2024?

You must consider adding the following skills to your CV:

1. Creativity.
2. Communication Skills.
3. Critical Thinking Skills.
4. Emotional Intelligence.
5. Flexibility.
6. Organization Skills.
7. Problem-Solving Skills.
8. Teamwork, and so much more.

How do I add my interests and hobbies to my CV?

To add your hobbies and interests to your CV, you must:

1. Conduct proper research on the job position as well as the company.
2. Mention your “Hobbies & Interests” sections at the end of your CV.
3. Mention not less than three and not more than five hobbies and interests in your CV.
4. Incorporate relevant keywords that you find in the job description.
5. Showcase your skills through your interests and hobbies by using examples.

Is it OK to put hobbies on your resume?

Yes, putting hobbies on your resume is an excellent way to make your application more personalized. This section must occupy the final section of your resume. Only add a handful of solid hobbies and interests to complement your resume.

Summing It All Up!

So, you see, adding hobbies and interests to your CV holds the power to make or break your application. However, you must be mindful to include only the relevant hobbies. For instance, creative pursuits such as calligraphy, bread making, amateur astronomy, origami, etc., can make you stand out in front of your hiring manager.

However, quirky, irrelevant hobbies such as collecting pictures of famous serial killers or amateur taxidermy can make you stand out for all the wrong reasons. Remember – you have to attract your recruiter, not scare them away!