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RESUME GUIDE

Hobbies for Resume: 55+ Examples That Impress Employers (2026)

Should you include hobbies on your resume? Learn when to add them, which hobbies impress hiring managers, and discover 55+ curated examples organized by skill category to make your application stand out.

82% Prefer Candidates with Volunteering
41% Say Hobbies Matter
3-5 Max Hobbies to List
Build Your Resume with AI
Quick Answer: Include hobbies on your resume when they demonstrate relevant skills, show cultural fit, or make you memorable to employers. The best hobbies to list are volunteering (82% of managers prefer candidates who volunteer), team sports, creative pursuits, and technical hobbies. Keep your list to 3-5 specific, achievement-oriented interests placed at the end of your resume.
GUIDANCE

When to Include Hobbies on Your Resume

Research shows 41% of hiring managers say hobbies matter in their decision. But context is everything.

INCLUDE HOBBIES WHEN
  • They demonstrate skills relevant to the job
  • You’re entry-level with limited experience
  • They show cultural fit with the company
  • They make you memorable and unique
  • You have extra resume space to fill
  • They showcase leadership or teamwork
SKIP HOBBIES WHEN
  • Your resume is already full of relevant experience
  • They’re generic (reading, movies, music)
  • They could be controversial or polarizing
  • You’re a senior professional with extensive experience
  • Applying to very formal/traditional industries
  • They don’t add value to your application
Pro Tip: According to a study, volunteering is the most valued hobby on resumes, with 82% of managers preferring candidates who volunteer. It demonstrates initiative, empathy, and leadership skills while showing you can see beyond your personal interests.
55+ EXAMPLES

Best Hobbies and Interests for Resume

Organized by skill category to help you choose hobbies that highlight your strengths.

1 Leadership & Teamwork Hobbies

These hobbies demonstrate your ability to work with others and take initiative.

Team Sports

Soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey. Shows teamwork, communication, and competitive drive.

Collaboration
🏆

Coaching

Youth sports coaching, mentoring programs. Demonstrates leadership and patience.

Leadership
👥

Club Leadership

President of clubs, organization officer. Shows initiative and management skills.

Management
🎉

Event Planning

Organizing community events, fundraisers. Demonstrates project management abilities.

Organization
Captain of Sports Team Scout Leader Community Organizing Debate Club Model UN Student Government

2 Creative & Artistic Hobbies

Creative hobbies show innovation, attention to detail, and the ability to think outside the box.

📷

Photography

Portrait, landscape, or product photography. Shows eye for detail and technical skills.

Visual Skills
📝

Writing/Blogging

Creative writing, blogging, content creation. Demonstrates communication skills.

Communication
🎨

Graphic Design

Digital art, logo design, UI/UX projects. Shows technical and creative abilities.

Design Skills
🎤

Podcasting

Hosting or producing podcasts. Shows communication and content creation skills.

Media Production
Video Editing Music Production Playing Instruments Painting/Drawing DIY Crafting Woodworking Jewelry Making Animation

3 Technical & Analytical Hobbies

Perfect for tech roles, these hobbies demonstrate problem-solving and logical thinking.

💻

Coding Projects

Personal apps, websites, or scripts. Shows technical skills and self-motivation.

Programming

Chess

Competitive chess, online rankings. Demonstrates strategic thinking and planning.

Strategy
🚀

Open Source Contributing

Contributing to GitHub projects. Shows collaboration and coding skills.

Collaboration
🔬

Data Analysis

Personal data projects, Kaggle competitions. Demonstrates analytical abilities.

Analytics
Building PCs Home Automation/IoT 3D Printing Puzzle Solving Robotics Electronics AI/ML Projects Game Development

4 Physical & Endurance Hobbies

These hobbies demonstrate discipline, goal-setting, and the ability to push through challenges.

🏃

Marathon Running

Half or full marathons. Shows discipline, goal-setting, and perseverance.

Endurance
🏋

Rock Climbing

Indoor or outdoor climbing. Demonstrates problem-solving and risk assessment.

Problem-Solving
🧗

Martial Arts

Karate, judo, taekwondo, BJJ. Shows discipline, focus, and self-improvement.

Discipline
🧘

Yoga/Meditation

Regular practice or instruction. Demonstrates mindfulness and stress management.

Mindfulness
Triathlon CrossFit Hiking/Mountaineering Swimming Cycling Skiing/Snowboarding Surfing Scuba Diving

5 Social & Community Hobbies

The most valued category – 82% of managers prefer candidates who volunteer.

Volunteering

Regular volunteer work at nonprofits. The #1 most valued hobby by hiring managers.

Most Valued
🗣

Mentoring

Youth mentoring, career coaching. Shows leadership and communication skills.

Leadership
🎙

Public Speaking

Toastmasters, TEDx talks. Demonstrates confidence and communication abilities.

Communication
🌐

Language Learning

Learning new languages. Shows dedication and cultural awareness.

Cultural Awareness
Fundraising Teaching/Tutoring Animal Shelter Volunteering Environmental Activism Community Garden Book Clubs

6 Unique & Memorable Hobbies

Stand out from other candidates with distinctive interests that spark conversation.

🎮

E-Sports/Competitive Gaming

Ranked gaming, tournaments. Great for tech companies, shows strategic thinking.

Tech Industry
🐝

Beekeeping

Maintaining bee colonies. Unique, shows patience and environmental awareness.

Conversation Starter
🛫

Drone Piloting

FAA-certified drone operation. Shows technical skills and attention to detail.

Technical
🍺

Brewing/Winemaking

Homebrewing beer or wine. Shows creativity and attention to process.

Creative
Stand-up Comedy Escape Rooms Astronomy Genealogy Research Amateur Radio Magic/Illusion Restoration Projects Collecting
BY INDUSTRY

Best Hobbies by Job Industry

Match your hobbies to your target industry for maximum impact.

💻 Technology

Tech companies value problem-solving and continuous learning.

Coding Projects Open Source Gaming Hackathons
📈 Finance/Banking

Financial firms appreciate analytical and strategic hobbies.

Chess Investing Golf Marathon Running
🎨 Creative/Marketing

Creative industries love to see your artistic side.

Photography Blogging Graphic Design Video Editing
🏥 Healthcare

Healthcare values empathy and community involvement.

Volunteering First Aid Certification Yoga Mentoring
🏫 Education

Schools appreciate patience, creativity, and community spirit.

Tutoring Coaching Reading Writing
💼 Consulting

Consulting firms value well-rounded candidates with diverse interests.

Travel Languages Public Speaking Team Sports
HOW TO

How to List Hobbies on Your Resume

1

Be Specific, Not Generic

Instead of “reading,” write “Reading business strategy books (20+ books/year).” Specificity shows genuine interest.

2

Include Achievements

Add measurable accomplishments: “Marathon running (completed 5 marathons, including Boston Marathon 2024).”

3

Keep It Short

List 3-5 hobbies maximum. One brief line or bullet per hobby is sufficient.

4

Place at the End

Hobbies belong in the last section of your resume, after experience, education, and skills.

Too Vague

“Interests: Reading, traveling, music, sports”

Specific & Impressive

“Interests: Travel photography (documented 15+ countries), competitive chess (1800 ELO rating), marathon running (3 completed, including NYC Marathon)”

Section Naming Options

You can title your hobbies section using any of these formats:

  • Hobbies & Interests – Most common and professional
  • Interests – Simple and clean
  • Activities – Good for leadership/volunteer activities
  • Personal Interests – Slightly more formal
  • Extracurricular Activities – Best for students
CAUTION

Hobbies to Avoid on Your Resume

Some hobbies can hurt your chances. Avoid these common mistakes.

🚫

Political Activities

Political affiliations can alienate interviewers with different views. Keep politics off your resume.

🚫

Religious Activities

Unless applying to a religious organization, avoid religious affiliations to prevent bias.

🚫

Generic Hobbies

“Watching Netflix,” “socializing with friends,” or “listening to music” add zero value.

🚫

Controversial Topics

Gambling, hunting (in some contexts), or anything that could be polarizing.

🚫

Extreme Risk Activities

Some employers worry about injury and insurance. Use caution with extreme sports.

🚫

Anything Illegal

This should be obvious, but never mention activities that could be illegal in your region.

Why Hobbies Matter to Employers

Research shows that hobbies on resumes provide valuable insights to hiring managers.

Cultural Fit Assessment

Hobbies help employers determine if you’ll fit their company culture and team dynamics.

Soft Skills Evidence

Team sports show collaboration; chess shows strategic thinking; volunteering shows empathy.

Conversation Starters

Unique hobbies give interviewers something to discuss, making you more memorable.

Transferable Skills

Many hobbies develop skills directly applicable to work: project management, communication, creativity.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include hobbies on my resume?
It depends on your situation. Include hobbies if they’re relevant to the job, demonstrate valuable skills, or you’re entry-level and need to fill space. Skip them if your resume is already full of relevant experience, they’re generic, or you’re a senior professional.
How many hobbies should I list on my resume?
List 3-5 hobbies maximum. More than 5 takes up valuable space and dilutes the impact. Choose quality over quantity – select hobbies that best demonstrate relevant skills or make you memorable.
Where should I put hobbies on my resume?
Place your hobbies section at the very end of your resume, after work experience, education, and skills. This is typically the “Additional Information” or “Interests” section. Never let hobbies take space from more important sections.
Can gaming be a good hobby for resume?
Yes, especially for tech roles! Video games can demonstrate problem-solving abilities, strategic thinking, and teamwork (for multiplayer games). Be specific: “Competitive Valorant player (Diamond rank)” is better than “playing video games.”
What’s the difference between hobbies and interests on a resume?
They’re often used interchangeably. “Hobbies” typically refers to activities you actively do (playing guitar, hiking), while “interests” can include passive interests (following AI developments, reading about economics). Both are appropriate for your resume.
Should I include reading as a hobby?
Only if you make it specific and relevant. “Reading” alone is too generic. But “Reading business strategy books (20+ books per year)” or “Avid reader of scientific journals” adds value by showing your commitment to continuous learning.
Is volunteering considered a hobby on resume?
Volunteering is one of the best “hobbies” to include – 82% of managers prefer candidates who volunteer. It can go in either your “Experience” section (if substantial) or “Hobbies/Interests” section depending on the depth of involvement.
Do hobbies help with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)?
Hobbies themselves don’t typically contain keywords ATS scan for. However, they can help once a human reviews your resume by making you stand out. Focus on ATS optimization in your skills and experience sections, then use hobbies to connect with human recruiters.

Key Takeaways: Hobbies for Resume

Remember: The best hobbies to put on your resume are volunteering (most valued by 82% of managers), team activities that show collaboration, technical hobbies for tech roles, and unique interests that make you memorable. Keep your list to 3-5 specific, achievement-oriented hobbies placed at the end of your resume.
  • Volunteering is #1 – 82% of hiring managers prefer candidates who volunteer
  • Be specific, not generic – “Marathon runner (5 completed)” beats “enjoys running”
  • Match hobbies to industry – Tech hobbies for tech jobs, creative hobbies for marketing
  • Limit to 3-5 hobbies – Quality over quantity
  • Place at the end – Never let hobbies take space from experience or skills
  • Avoid controversial topics – Politics, religion, and polarizing activities

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