?? 9 Tips for a Surprisingly Helpful Hobbies Interests Resume Section

?? 9 Tips for a Surprisingly Helpful Hobbies Interests Resume Section 360 Why you might include the one resume section that most people don’t. Photo byDean Hochman This is a guest post by Martin Demiger. Most people think that a hobbies and interests resume section is a silly addition, but that’s only true if you include silly hobbies and interests. It can actually be a very helpful addition to showcasing who you are, your personality and your capacity for work. Potential employers will appreciate that you put in the extra effort to tell them a little bit more about who you are as a person.eval Did you include a hobbies section in the last resume you sent? Yes No View Results Why have a hobbies and interests section? 1) Stand out Most people do not list their hobbies and interests on their resume, so this alone will immediately make your resume different.eval 2) Present potential interview topics You’re opening up topics of discussion if you’re contacted for an interview. 3) Prove you’re well-rounded Hobbies and interests can show off how likable you are and how easily you’ll mesh with future colleagues. But what to include? Free bonus: The One Resume Resource You’ll Ever Need is a handy reference to make your resume get you more job interviews. Download it free now Not just any hobbies and interests 1) Be relevant If the job you’re seeking and your hobbies or interests coincide, don’t be afraid to play that factor up. For example, if you are applying to a restaurant for the job as a chef or even a cook, list that you are passionate about cooking and food and devote a lot of your spare time to the kitchen. 2) Be relatable Put your hobbies and interests that you think a potential employer will relate with the most, and this may need to change from employer to employer. 3) Be honest Don’t just list things to try and impress a potential employer. If you end up interviewing for or even getting the position, any lies will probably come back to haunt you. 4) Be authentic You should be able to discuss and demonstrate your interests. This may sound cliché, but be ready to show off your skills if asked. If you listed “reading”, be able to talk about the last few books you’ve read and share your thoughts with potential employers. 5) Be positive Add the hobbies that come across as a positive and fun use of your down time. For instance, if you enjoy playing poker, it shows that you like to be mentally engaged and utilize strategy. Sports are also a great hobby to include, as it shows you’re active, like to exercise and are a team player. 6) Be passionate If it interests you, your eyes will light up when you talk about it and employers will take notice. If you love rock climbing, share it on your resume. Not only is it athletic and impressive, but it highlights your sense of adventure and willingness to take risks â€" something that a future employer may appreciate. 7) Be unique Instead of saying “reading” is an interest, be specific about what you love to read, whether it is a specific author or time period. For instance, don’t just say that you enjoy Shakespeare â€" be specific about which works move you the most. 8) Be concise You don’t want to bore the employer by going on and on. Keep it short and sweet yet informative â€" this could be the difference between getting your foot in the proverbial door or getting your resume filed with a ton of others. 9) Don’t skip it on application forms If applying for a job via an online application form, do not leave the hobbies and interests section empty as potential employers can view this negatively. Inversely to the above, it says to an employer that you are not very well-rounded, don’t like to open up personally and may not be a good asset to their team of employees. Now some more suggestions of hobbies and interests to include and why. Examples of hobbies and interests Reading This shows you like to be mentally stimulated and have an imagination. Mention latest, most relevant book. Traveling Tells an employer you are not afraid to venture out into the world and experience new things. Mention most relevant recent destination/event. Music Music is something that everyone has in common, so it’s a no-brainer to include it in the hobbies and interests section of your resume, but mention which kinds of music. The more you tell a possible employer about yourself, the better odds that your resume will stand out among others in getting you the interview and ultimately, the job. Free Bonus If you want a handy resume and CV resource that you can keep on your smartphone or print out for easy reference, this special bonus is for you. This free download contains: 111 Smart Resume Section Headings and Titles 60 Resume Achievement Writing Ideas and Expressions 500 Positive Resume Action Verbs That Get Job Interviews 35 Resume Filenames Recruiters Won’t Respond To Click the image below to get access to The One Resume Resource You’ll Ever Need: JobMob Insiders can get this free bonus and other exclusive content in the JobMob Insider Bonuses area. Join now, it's free! Question of the article After reading this article, will you add a hobbies interests section to your resume? Tell us in the comments. READ NEXT: Do You Need Help Writing A Resume? About the Author This article was brought to you by Martin Demiger.