66 Personal Interests You Can Pick for the Great Resume

Adding Character to Your Resume

Incorporating personal interests into your resume is an opportunity to inject some personality and authenticity into your application. While your professional achievements and qualifications are important, sharing your hobbies, passions, and extracurricular activities can help humanize your resume and make you more relatable to potential employers. It also gives hiring managers a glimpse into your life outside of work, which can foster a connection and make you stand out from other candidates.

Demonstrating Cultural Fit

Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who not only possess the necessary skills and experience but also align with the company’s culture and values. By including personal interests on your resume, you can demonstrate that you share common interests or values with the organization. This can signal to employers that you would be a good cultural fit and contribute positively to the team dynamic.

Showcasing Well-Roundedness

Including personal interests on your resume can also showcase your well-roundedness and versatility as a candidate. Employers value individuals who have diverse interests and experiences outside of work, as they often bring a fresh perspective and creative thinking to the table. Whether it’s participating in sports, volunteering, or pursuing artistic endeavors, sharing your hobbies and interests can highlight your multifaceted nature and make you a more attractive candidate.

1. Networking

Expressing your passion for networking on your resume can demonstrate your ability to build relationships and connect with new people effectively. Networking skills are highly valued in many industries as they open up opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and business growth. By highlighting your interest in networking, you showcase your proactive approach to expanding your professional circle and exploring new opportunities and markets for your employer.

2. Membership

Including memberships in professional clubs or associations can add value to your resume, especially if they are relevant to your field or demonstrate your involvement in community or industry-related activities. Even if your memberships are hobby-oriented, they can still provide insights into your character and abilities. For roles that require strong interpersonal skills, such as customer-facing or team-oriented positions, memberships can showcase your ability to work effectively with others and your commitment to personal and professional development.

3. Running a blog

Incorporating your interest in blogging into your resume can demonstrate a range of relevant skills applicable to your desired position. Blogging showcases your ability to create content, communicate effectively, engage with an audience, market products or ideas, and more. However, it’s essential to ensure that any personal blogs you mention are professional and align with the image you want to convey to potential employers. Avoid including blogs with content that may not be suitable for a professional setting.

4. Sports

Listing the sports you regularly participate in can enhance several soft skills highlighted in your resume, such as teamwork, collaboration, and leadership. Your involvement in sports demonstrates your ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal, whether as a team player or in a leadership role. Additionally, mentioning your sports interests can be advantageous if the employer has a sports team or supports community sports initiatives. Employers may appreciate candidates who are knowledgeable about sports and understand the values of teamwork and discipline fostered by athletic activities.

5. Youngster Care

Including experiences related to childcare, such as babysitting for friends, caring for your own children, or working as a camp counselor, can demonstrate your responsibility, empathy, and ability to care for others. Whether it’s supervising activities, resolving conflicts, or ensuring the safety and well-being of children, childcare experiences highlight your interpersonal skills and reliability. Employers value candidates who demonstrate a commitment to others and possess the ability to manage and nurture relationships, making childcare experiences relevant and valuable additions to your resume.

6. Volunteer Work/Community Involvement

Volunteer work and community involvement can significantly enhance your resume by showcasing your commitment to social responsibility, teamwork, and community engagement. Many companies prioritize corporate social responsibility and value employees who actively contribute to their local communities. Whether you’ve volunteered for a specific cause, participated in community clean-up events, or served on a non-profit organization’s board, highlighting your volunteer experiences demonstrates your altruism, leadership potential, and willingness to go above and beyond in serving others. Including a dedicated section on your resume titled “Volunteer Experience” allows you to showcase these experiences separately from your professional work history, providing a comprehensive overview of your contributions beyond the workplace.

7. Traveling

Including traveling as an interest on your resume can showcase your curiosity in exploring new cultures and environments, which can be advantageous, especially if the role involves collaborating with international colleagues, partners, or clients. It demonstrates a curiosity about the world and an openness to new experiences, which can be valuable traits in a globalized workplace. Traveling often involves adaptability, problem-solving, and communication skills, all of which are transferable to different professional settings. Moreover, it suggests that you are comfortable with diverse perspectives and capable of navigating unfamiliar situations, qualities that can contribute positively to a team dynamic.

10. Collecting

Whether you collect stamps, rare antiques, or anything else, listing collecting as an interest on your resume can provide insights into your personality and skills beyond your professional life. Collectors often possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and patience—all of which are transferable to various jobs. Additionally, collecting requires research, networking, and negotiation skills, which can be valuable in a wide range of industries. By showcasing your collecting hobby, you demonstrate your ability to focus on specific interests, pursue long-term goals, and manage collections effectively. This interest also suggests that you are dedicated, passionate, and capable of maintaining hobbies alongside professional responsibilities, traits that employers may find appealing. Motivation – Mind – Success – Thinking – Productivity – Happiness

11. Pet Care

Expressing an interest in pet care on your resume can convey several positive attributes to potential employers. Many people consider their pets as part of their family, so showcasing your love and responsibility for animals can create a connection with fellow pet owners. This interest reflects your reliability and nurturing nature, indicating that you can be trusted and relied upon by others. Additionally, it highlights your warmth and compassion, which are valuable qualities in any workplace setting. Employers appreciate individuals who demonstrate empathy and care for others, making pet care a relevant and relatable interest to include on your resume.

12. Cooking

While cooking may not seem directly relevant to every job, it can still demonstrate valuable skills and qualities that employers look for. Cooking involves following instructions, improvising when necessary, and managing time-sensitive tasks—all of which are transferable skills applicable to various roles. By listing cooking as an interest, you showcase your ability to adapt, be creative, and work efficiently under pressure. Even if you’re not applying for a food-related position, highlighting your passion for cooking can signal your ability to handle tasks with precision, creativity, and attention to detail, which are qualities valued by employers across different industries. Business – Money Making – Marketing – E-commerce

13. Youtubing

Expressing an interest in Youtubing on your resume can showcase your creative side and multimedia skills. It demonstrates your ability to create engaging video content, which could be valuable for marketing or promotional purposes within the organization. Additionally, mentioning Youtubing indicates that you are familiar with online platforms and can leverage them effectively for business purposes. This interest may also suggest that you are tech-savvy and adaptable to new digital trends, which is increasingly important in today’s digital age.

16. Internet Browsing

Including internet browsing as an interest on your resume can highlight your research and analytical skills. It suggests that you are proactive in seeking out information and staying informed about industry trends, market developments, and competitor strategies. Employers may interpret this interest as a sign of your curiosity and willingness to learn, which are valuable traits in any workplace. Furthermore, by mentioning internet browsing, you signal your ability to navigate online resources efficiently, which can be beneficial for gathering data and conducting online research projects within the organization. Fitness – Meditation – Diet – Weight Loss – Healthy Living – Yoga

The personal interests that you simply work right into a resume ought to be related indirectly to the talents and skills you may have to carry out your new job. That can’t be emphasized enough! The large majority of job advertisements don’t require candidates to checklist personal interests for a resume, so do not feel like it’s a must too.