Adding hobbies and interests for a CV is optional, but done well it can make you memorable. A short, relevant list shows personality, teamwork, and drive, and it gives an interviewer something friendly to talk about. Done badly, it wastes valuable space.
This guide explains when to include a hobbies section, gives 25 examples grouped by what they show, and covers how to word them and what to avoid.
Should You Include Hobbies and Interests on a CV?
Include them when:
- You have little work experience, such as a student or recent graduate.
- You are changing careers and your hobbies show transferable skills.
- You have space left on a one- or two-page CV.
Skip them when your CV is already full of strong, relevant experience. Space is better spent on achievements. For more on structuring a CV, the National Careers Service and Prospects offer free guidance.
25 Hobbies and Interests for a CV, and What They Show
Team and Social Skills
- Team sports (football, cricket, netball, rugby): teamwork, communication, resilience.
- Volunteering: initiative, empathy, community involvement.
- Debating or public speaking clubs: confidence and persuasion.
- Board games and quiz nights: strategy and friendly competition.
- Running or joining a club society: leadership and organisation.
Discipline and Resilience
- Running or marathon training: goal-setting and perseverance.
- Martial arts: discipline and focus.
- Cycling or hiking: stamina and planning.
- Swimming: consistency and self-motivation.
- Yoga or meditation: stress management and balance.
Creativity
- Photography: an eye for detail and visual thinking.
- Writing or blogging: clear communication and self-direction.
- Music or playing an instrument: dedication and practice.
- Drawing, painting, or design: originality.
- Video editing or content creation: digital skills and storytelling.
Technical and Analytical
- Coding side projects: problem-solving and curiosity.
- Building or repairing computers: technical confidence.
- Chess: planning and critical thinking.
- Investing or personal finance: numeracy and responsibility.
- Puzzles and Sudoku: logic and patience.
Curiosity and Growth
- Learning a language: adaptability and cultural interest.
- Reading (with specifics, such as business or history): continuous learning.
- Travel: independence and openness to new experiences.
- Gardening or cooking: patience and attention to detail.
- Mentoring or tutoring: coaching and communication.
How to Write the Hobbies Section
- Be specific. “Reading” says nothing. “Reading biographies of entrepreneurs and discussing them in a monthly book club” says a lot.
- Add proof. Mention a result, such as “completed two half-marathons” or “run a 500-follower photography page”.
- Keep it short. Three to five items, in one or two lines.
- Match the job. Choose interests that support the role you want.
- Put it last. Place the section at the bottom of your CV.
Examples You Can Copy
Graduate applying for a marketing role: “Run a food photography account with 2,000 followers, using it to practise content planning and analytics. Captain of the university netball team.”
Career changer moving into tech: “Building small web apps in my spare time to learn JavaScript. Regular volunteer teaching basic computer skills to adults.”
Finance applicant: “Member of a local investment club, tracking a model portfolio and presenting ideas each month. Completed the London Marathon for charity.”
What to Leave Out
- Generic phrases such as “socialising”, “watching TV”, or “going out”.
- Anything controversial, such as strong political or religious views.
- Hobbies you cannot talk about confidently in an interview.
- Long lists that push more valuable content off the page.
Hobbies for Different Career Stages
- Students and graduates: lean on societies, sport, and volunteering, since they show skills in place of experience.
- Mid-career professionals: keep the list brief and use it to show balance or leadership outside work.
- Senior candidates: usually skip the section unless a hobby, such as mentoring or board service, is directly relevant.
A strong CV is only part of the job hunt. If you are weighing offers, our hourly to salary calculator helps you compare pay.
Hobbies by Industry: What to Highlight
- Marketing and media: content creation, blogging, photography, social media projects.
- Finance and accounting: investing clubs, chess, puzzles, budgeting projects.
- Technology: coding side projects, open-source contributions, hackathons.
- Healthcare and education: volunteering, mentoring, first aid training, community work.
- Sales and customer service: team sports, debating, hospitality volunteering.
- Engineering and trades: DIY, robotics, model building, repairing bikes or vehicles.
Common Mistakes With Hobbies on a CV
- Listing too many. A long list looks like filler.
- Using vague words. “Music” or “sport” tells the reader nothing.
- Exaggerating. If you claim you speak three languages or run marathons, be ready to prove it.
- Ignoring the role. Pick interests that complement the job description.
- Crowding out better content. Always put experience and skills first.
How to Talk About Hobbies in an Interview
Interviewers often use hobbies to relax candidates. Prepare a short, specific story for each hobby: what you do, what you have achieved, and what it taught you. A 30-second answer that links a hobby to a skill, such as planning a training schedule or leading a club event, leaves a strong impression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do employers really read the hobbies section?
Some do. Many skim it, and interviewers often use it as an icebreaker, so a specific, true entry is worth including.
How many hobbies should I list?
Three to five is plenty. Quality and specificity matter more than quantity.
Should I put hobbies on a CV with lots of experience?
Usually not. If your CV is full, use the space for achievements instead.
Is it okay to list gaming as a hobby?
Yes, if you frame it well. Team-based or competitive gaming, streaming, or modding can show strategy, teamwork, and technical skills.
Should I be honest about my interests?
Always. Interviewers may ask follow-up questions, so only list things you genuinely do.
Where does the hobbies section go?
At the end of the CV, after your experience, education, and skills.
