Do you need to include hobbies/interests on your cv?
If you find your CV is currently exceeding 1-2 pages of A4, you can leave this section or include a brief sentence to help further explain gaps in the CV. However, if you find you do not have enough paid or voluntary experience, your hobbies and interests can be further used to expand on transferable skills in the workplace. For example, interests in marketing roles can include networking, blogging, photography and travel. Hiring managers will want to see if you fit into the company culture and environment by looking into your interests and how you work within a team.
If you are looking to find a new hobby to gain transferable skills in the workplace, then read on to learn our 5 best hobbies to improve skills and employability.
1. Volunteering
Volunteering will always look great on any CV! It shows that you are not only a kind person who takes your time to help others, but that you can work in teams and adapt to new environments and people. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and become adaptable at communicating, both valuable skills in a workplace that involves speaking with potential or existing clients. When volunteering, you have the choice to help support a cause you are passionate about, further your knowledge on a subject or gain experience in an industry you want to work.
2. Blogging
Blogging involves great communication skills valuable in most workplaces. Blogging requires many skills in creativity, literacy and even technology. If your blog is about a chosen subject, your interview/hiring manager will see your passion and entrepreneurial skills through your published work. Getting started on the road to becoming a blogger is made easier with free social channels and websites to showcase your work, pick a subject you are passionate about and get creative! Blogging will soon increase your reading and writing skills, which in turn can make you more hireable through a better-written CV that shows off your hobbies.
3. Sports
Showing your interest in a particular sport holds many great assets transferable to the workplace. Joining a team sport shows you can work well with others while focusing on the end goal, one of the most important skills in a work environment is demonstrating you can be a team player. If however, you partake in a solo sport, this demonstrates great skills in determination and competitiveness, showing a hiring manager you strive to be the best.
4. Creative Interests
Playing an instrument, painting and showing appreciation for the arts demonstrates your creativity and hard work. People like people with similar interests, and a hiring manager will see you can balance your work and life by taking interest in activities that require time and dedication. You do not need to expand greatly on your hobbies, a sentence or two should cover what you like to do in free your free time!
5. Puzzles or gaming
Puzzles and games require analytical and forward-thinking thinking skills. If you enjoy chess, online games or puzzles then be sure to include these hobbies in your CV, some jobs may require you to take calculated risks in which your problem-solving skills will be essential.
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