Hobbies and Interests on Resume
Definition: Hobbies and interests sections are optional on resumes. Include only if they're directly relevant to the role, demonstrate leadership, or differentiate you as a culture fit. Otherwise, omit to save space.
When to Include Hobbies
Include If:
- Directly relevant: Applying to outdoor gear company, mention mountaineering
- Demonstrates skills: Marathon running shows discipline; coding side projects show passion
- Leadership/achievement: "Published author" or "Competitive chess player (regional champion)"
- Cultural fit signal: Creative agency, mention photography or design hobbies
Omit If:
- Generic hobbies: "Reading, traveling, movies" — everyone lists these, they add no value
- Controversial: Politics, religion, hunting (can trigger bias)
- Space is tight: Always prioritize professional achievements over hobbies
Format
Keep it to one line at the bottom: "Interests: Competitive triathlete, open-source contributor, amateur pilot"
Should I include hobbies on my resume?
Only if they're directly relevant to the role, demonstrate unique skills/leadership, or signal strong culture fit. Generic hobbies ("reading, traveling") add no value. Always prioritize professional achievements — hobbies should never take space from work experience.
What hobbies look good on a resume?
Hobbies that demonstrate discipline (marathon running, martial arts), leadership (team captain, club president), creativity (published author, musician), or technical skills (open-source contributor, maker projects). Avoid generic or controversial hobbies.
Do ATS systems scan hobbies and interests?
Technically yes — ATS extracts all text. But hobbies carry minimal weight in keyword matching. Only include hobbies if they contain relevant keywords ("coding side projects" for developer roles) or if you have space after covering all professional content.