Resume FAQs
Whether you're a new graduate with limited work experience, are switching careers, have gaps in your employment history, or were recently laid off and are unsure how to address that in your resume, our resume FAQs will guide you through all these situations.
Resume FAQ

What should I include in the hobbies and interests section of my resume?

For most companies and recruiters, their first priority is to identify candidates who can both do the job and fit into their culture.  It is not always easy to demonstrate your cultural fit within the bullets of your career history.  Including hobbies and outside interests will present you as a well-rounded, interesting individual, who will bring an added dimension to the team.

However, it is important to remember that the purpose of a resume is to showcase your experience, qualifications and skills first.  The resume should include information that matches their requirements, preferably using similar Keywords so that both the software and the hiring manager will easily recognize that you are the ideal person for the job.  With that in mind, if there is space on your resume, you can add outside interests, hobbies and community service to build out your bio - but only if there is room at the bottom.  Do not add an extra page just to include this personal information.  Try to avoid adding hobbies or interests that have little or no relevance to your qualifications for the job. 

For example: if you are on a community or club sports team, that participation would show your ability to be a team player.  A passion for traveling might reveal a level of curiosity and match with a company that has an international presence.  Gaming may indicate excellent software and technical skills as well as an ability to focus.  Volunteering will show a willingness to participate and support others.  If you have been in a leadership role in a sorority/fraternity, a not-for-profit board or organization, adding that experience will also demonstrate your ability to take on responsibility for tasks and team members.  These are just a few examples.  Again, check the job description for Keywords and include them when briefly describing your outside interests.  All hobbies or interest should be added in a short list at the bottom of the resume, and there should only be 4 or 5 examples, at the most.