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.
When to Include Hobbies on Your Resume
Research shows 41% of hiring managers say hobbies matter in their decision. But context is everything.
- 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
- 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
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.
CollaborationCoaching
Youth sports coaching, mentoring programs. Demonstrates leadership and patience.
LeadershipClub Leadership
President of clubs, organization officer. Shows initiative and management skills.
ManagementEvent Planning
Organizing community events, fundraisers. Demonstrates project management abilities.
Organization2 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 SkillsWriting/Blogging
Creative writing, blogging, content creation. Demonstrates communication skills.
CommunicationGraphic Design
Digital art, logo design, UI/UX projects. Shows technical and creative abilities.
Design SkillsPodcasting
Hosting or producing podcasts. Shows communication and content creation skills.
Media Production3 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.
ProgrammingChess
Competitive chess, online rankings. Demonstrates strategic thinking and planning.
StrategyOpen Source Contributing
Contributing to GitHub projects. Shows collaboration and coding skills.
CollaborationData Analysis
Personal data projects, Kaggle competitions. Demonstrates analytical abilities.
Analytics4 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.
EnduranceRock Climbing
Indoor or outdoor climbing. Demonstrates problem-solving and risk assessment.
Problem-SolvingMartial Arts
Karate, judo, taekwondo, BJJ. Shows discipline, focus, and self-improvement.
DisciplineYoga/Meditation
Regular practice or instruction. Demonstrates mindfulness and stress management.
Mindfulness5 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 ValuedMentoring
Youth mentoring, career coaching. Shows leadership and communication skills.
LeadershipPublic Speaking
Toastmasters, TEDx talks. Demonstrates confidence and communication abilities.
CommunicationLanguage Learning
Learning new languages. Shows dedication and cultural awareness.
Cultural Awareness6 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 IndustryBeekeeping
Maintaining bee colonies. Unique, shows patience and environmental awareness.
Conversation StarterDrone Piloting
FAA-certified drone operation. Shows technical skills and attention to detail.
TechnicalBrewing/Winemaking
Homebrewing beer or wine. Shows creativity and attention to process.
CreativeBest Hobbies by Job Industry
Match your hobbies to your target industry for maximum impact.
Tech companies value problem-solving and continuous learning.
Financial firms appreciate analytical and strategic hobbies.
Creative industries love to see your artistic side.
Healthcare values empathy and community involvement.
Schools appreciate patience, creativity, and community spirit.
Consulting firms value well-rounded candidates with diverse interests.
How to List Hobbies on Your Resume
Be Specific, Not Generic
Instead of “reading,” write “Reading business strategy books (20+ books/year).” Specificity shows genuine interest.
Include Achievements
Add measurable accomplishments: “Marathon running (completed 5 marathons, including Boston Marathon 2024).”
Keep It Short
List 3-5 hobbies maximum. One brief line or bullet per hobby is sufficient.
Place at the End
Hobbies belong in the last section of your resume, after experience, education, and skills.
“Interests: Reading, traveling, music, sports”
“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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways: Hobbies for 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
Related Guides
Continue building your perfect resume with these helpful resources:
Create Your Professional Resume Today
Our AI-powered builder helps you create a perfectly formatted resume with the right hobbies section for your industry. Choose from 39+ professional templates.
Start Building Free