A hobby is often thought to be an unstructured, casual activity that’s done for purely enjoyment, usually during one’s leisure hours. Hobbies include playing card games, building things, collecting objects and memorabilia, and pursuing other outdoor activities. The word “hobby” itself originally referred more to an occupation, craft, or trade, rather than a solitary pastime.
In today’s job-oriented, work culture, hobbies are being redefined. While hobbies were once considered a private pastime, many are now considered part of a job’s responsibility. This is why it’s important to display a hobby on your resume. When considered alongside your job skills, hobbies provide a concrete demonstration of what you can do with your life.
The most common hobbies include collecting sports cards, building models, woodworking, and cooking. These are all “hands-on” pursuits that involve the physical activity of the hands, wrists, arms, and legs. Collecting can range from hobby collections to investment opportunities. Building models is a great hobby for someone who works in the construction field because it’s an open-ended, sculptural pursuit.
Woodworking and stamp collecting are two other popular hobbies for today’s job-oriented workers. In a job, hobbies like these can provide a steady supply of extra spending money. Stamps can range from individual stamps to complete set packages; hobbyists often build entire collections. Woodworking, by contrast, can be a flexible, budget-friendly pastime that provides an outlet for creativity and relaxation after a hectic work day. Both hobbies require appropriate clothing, tools, and equipment to ensure safety.
It’s not just your job description that’s relevant. The position you hold or work in can have an impact on how much time you’re willing or able to devote to your hobbies. For example, those employed in sales and marketing may be unable to spend hours sorting through old stamps when they’re off work. Hobbies can help alleviate this stress. Similarly, the nature of your employer’s work culture can make a difference to how much time you can reasonably spend on your hobby.
In your job description, you should note any hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job. However, it’s not the specific hobby that will bring you the best interview or get you the job. Instead, you should emphasize activities that demonstrate that you have the skills needed for the position. For example, if you are applying as a receptionist, you should emphasize your ability to multi-task. You should be able to quickly communicate with clients, take accurate phone messages, and respond to emails in a timely fashion.
A main article of your resume should be your full list of hobbies, including information about your work history, your aspirations, your hobbies, your personal interests, and any associations that you belong to. Some examples of common hobbies include cooking, baking, crochet, music, sewing, gardening, photography, art, baking, and fitness. In some cases, it may be helpful to explain what your hobbies are or elaborate on your reasons for participating in your chosen hobby. For example, if you are a member of the culinary arts community, you may wish to include information about past workshops or seminars that you have attended and the impact that these activities had on your current career.
When discussing your hobbies on your resume, it is important to remember that these should be listed individually rather than bundled with other information. For example, it would be distracting to list your interests along with your employment history and education if you have an entry for working as a lifeguard, a list which may be confusing. Likewise, it would be pointless to mention your love of gardening on your resume if you are hoping to get a job as a landscaper. The chronological order of your list of interests, as well as the general description of your hobbies, should be presented in chronological order on your resume. Also, when writing about your hobbies on your resume, it is best to use the phrase “a hobby that contributed to” instead of “a hobby” so that your document does not become a reference that employers can check for employment opportunities.
