When crafted well, the hobbies & interests section of your CV can do more than fill space; it can help employers see the person behind the skills. Hobbies can reinforce your strengths, indicate cultural fit, and spark genuine conversation in interviews.
But some hobbies…won’t help you. In fact, they can harm your application if they raise questions, show poor judgment, or add no value.
Here is a brief guide to the hobbies employers love to see, and the ones that may be better left off.
Great hobbies to include
1. Volunteering & community work
Shows empathy, selfishness and caring. Employers love someone who is happy to contribute their time to help others.
2. Team sports
Football, Rugby, Netball, Cricket, whatever your team-based passion, these show collaboration, teamwork, leadership, commitment, and resilience.
3. Individual sports
Running, Swimming, Climbing, Martial Arts, etc. reflect discipline, goal-setting, persistence and personal drive.
4. Creative pursuits
Photography, writing, painting, making music and crafting suggest creativity, focus, and passion, which are especially valuable in roles requiring imagination and creativity.
5. Tech & digital hobbies
Coding side projects, building websites, 3D printing, robotics, gaming with a strategic or design twist can demonstrate great problem-solving skills, a technical mindset and a natural interest in tech.
6. Learning-based hobbies
Reading, language learning, online courses, chess, and debate clubs communicate curiosity, self-development, and intellectual engagement (be specific in this section).
7. Outdoor & adventure activities
Hiking, cycling, skiing, and kayaking show a healthy lifestyle, balance, and eagerness to take on new challenges.
Hobbies you shouldn’t include on your CV
1. Overly generic hobbies
“Listening to music” or “watching Netflix” tells a hirer nothing about you; most of us do this, and it’s not going to highlight any particular skills or positive behaviour traits.
2. Controversial or divisive interests
Political activism, highly polarised beliefs, or hobbies connected to sensitive topics can unintentionally introduce bias or tension. Regardless of your personal beliefs, it's best to stay passive.
3. Risky or extreme activities (depending on the job)
Unless it genuinely fits the role’s culture, if your hobby sounds dangerous enough to affect the chances of you showing up on a Monday, things like caving, solo climbing and Freebasing are probably best left off.
4. Anything illegal or inappropriate
It goes without saying, just don’t.
6. Hobbies that paint you as unreliable
Pubs and Clubs, all-night gaming marathons, or anything that might lead to doubts about time management probably won’t impress a future employer.
One-to-One Personnel Pro Tip
Hobbies are an excellent way to shout about your personal achievements outside of the workplace and college.
If you have won competitions, been awarded trophies or become a team captain, it’s an opportunity to shout from the rooftops that you are unique, employable and driven.
It tells the story of who you are.
Good luck with your CV, and check out our website for our latest vacancies. You never know your personal story might help us land you that perfect job!
