When it comes to writing a CV one of the sections which would seem the least important is the hobbies and interests. Does an employer really care about what you get up to in your spare time?
To help answer this question it really depends on the types of hobbies a job seeker has. Let’s look further into how the hobbies section can add value, and why they can become an important aspect of a CV.
Here are a few examples of certain types of hobbies which you could include…
Creative hobbies
If a job seeker was to write a CV for a graphic design position, the more examples of creativity they could add to their application the better. It’s quite possible that someone who has a very creative career will also dabble in and out of that hobby outside of work in some form.
The same could be said of a web creator or SEO expert. They are very likely to also have the same or similar hobby, and partake in creating their own websites outside of work. This should be mentioned in the hobbies section, as it will show a dedication to the craft outside of office hours.
Examples of creative hobbies can be included in a CV as either a link or even a physical copy. But a creative hobby doesn’t also have to relate to the role, and any type of creative hobby could be included on a CV to further demonstrate a soft or hard skill.
Sporty hobbies
Everything you write down on your CV should add value, and should also be as relevant as possible to the role and industry you are applying too. The hobbies and interests section can add a great deal more to your application if you can tie it into the role in some way.
Having a sporty hobby can further demonstrate lots of soft skills which could be important to the employer. Here are a few soft skills to consider:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Determination
- Passion
- Dedication
If any or even all of these skills are important for the role, you could extract that very easily from a sporty hobby. Are you the captain of a sports team? This would demonstrate communication and leadership skills.
Are your hobbies and interests really that interesting to an employer?
Avoid generic hobbies
Reading books, going to the cinema, and walking the dog on the weekend may be how you like to spend your leisure time. There is nothing wrong with this; however it would be a bad idea to assume that these hobbies would add any value to your CV.
Including generic hobbies on a CV will not necessarily devalue your credentials, but they certainly won’t add anything positive either. You could even consider not creating this section at all, and use the space for further achievements instead.
Get creative
If you have a unique, creative or sporty hobby you need to realise how much potential there is for additional content. Every single section of your CV needs to boost your chances of success, so don’t be afraid to tap into those hobbies and draw the employer into your world outside of work.
It could make you a memorable and interesting candidate!
