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What do your CV hobbies say about you?
The least important section of your CV is very clearly the hobbies and interests section. It doesn’t demonstrate your skills or anything related to the role – or does it?
Surprisingly, the hobbies section can be turned into a very reliable source of information for the employer. It can demonstrate lots of things, and can say a lot about you as a candidate for the job. However, this can be a good or bad thing, depending on how and what you write in this section.
Your hobbies will say a lot about you to an employer, and can help or hinder them in their decision. So what do your CV hobbies say about you? Here are a few examples and scenarios that will help demonstrate the potential this section can have…
You are a hard worker
If you volunteer for a local charity shop, Country Park, or anything else; this will clearly demonstrate your hard work ethic. The employer will see this hobby on your CV and instantly recognise your selfless nature. Other examples could include running the London marathon for charity. Sponsored runs like this show how hard working and determined you are to achieve something. Don’t forget to provide how much money you raised and which charity it was for.
Volunteering or sponsored marathons are not the only way to show how hard working you are. Anything sports related can also demonstrate this. Again, try to provide a little detail about any achievements. For example:
‘Our team came first in the county league and were runners up in the cup’
You don’t need to go into too much detail, but you can see from the above that this will add a nice little touch.
You are passionate about something
If you’re passionate about your hobbies, then you have the ability to be passionate about your career. An employer should be able to read your hobbies and instantly see someone who has the drive and determination they are looking for.
Of course, it doesn’t mean to say that you will be as passionate about your career just because you compete in a sport. But if you are capable of such dedication and passion outside of work, then there is a good chance you will have the same approach to your career.
You are creative
If your chosen career requires a very creative mind, then you could be missing out on the value of your hobbies. A creative hobby can further demonstrate your creative and imaginative mind. This could just be what the employer is looking for.
Creativity can be quite hard to demonstrate and justify on a CV or in an interview. Examples need to be provided, and the hobbies section can be a great place to start. Here is a list of creative hobbies so you can see what we mean:
- Arts and crafts
- Model plane building or painting
- Website creation and design
- Playing a musical instrument
- Singing or playing in a band
You may not realise it, but being the lead singer in a local band can have a positive effect on your chances of success. It can demonstrate that you have an outgoing personality, and are not afraid of public speaking. In addition, it can showcase your creativity.
You have leadership qualities
Being the captain of a sports team or the president of your local ramblers club is not just an extra-curricular activity. These types of activities can further bolster your credentials, and prove to an employer that you have leadership qualities.
Think about what you like to do for a hobby. Is it something that requires you to lead a team or make decisions on behalf of everyone? If so, then this can demonstrate your leadership skills.
These types of hobbies would really help your chances of getting that manager or supervisors position. There is a reason why you’ve been chosen to be captain of the netball team. Let those reasons shine on your CV.
But here comes the bad news…
You’re ordinary
Not everyone is the captain of a sports team or plays in a band, and you could be someone who doesn’t have a unique hobby. This doesn’t mean to say that you are not the right person for the job, but you still have to recognise that what you put down as a hobby could decrease your chances.
For instance, if you like to read books, go to the cinema, and socialise on the weekend; are you really going to add any value to your CV with these hobbies? The answer is likely to be, no. You are clearly not going to demonstrate any skills or qualities – like leadership.
So do these types of hobbies need to be included on a CV?
We would recommend that you leave out this section. Your hobbies will not add any value, and the employer is not always expecting this section to be there anyway. They are of course more interested in your skills, experience and qualifications overall.
For a great list of hobbies which add value to a CV, please go to – 12 hobbies that look great on your résumé, and one that doesn’t.
