The hobbies section of the resume gets most people stumped.
On the one hand, you want to impress, but on the other, you don’t want to come across as boring with no personality.
You may want to lie but then again, what if they ask you about it in the interview?
So, to avoid lying, which will come back to kick you in the tail, get a good hobby that you can proudly put on your resume.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 21 hobbies that look good on your resume and are sure to impress your new boss.
Should Hobbies Go On Your Resume?
Different people will have different answers to this. So as far as putting them on your resume goes, it’s an individual choice.
Some say it’s not essential while others are of the option that it helps the recruiter to tell you apart from the gazillion other applicants.
If you do include a section for hobbies on your resume, you should make sure to impress and not put off the recruiter.
Also, it would be best if you listed only hobbies that you practice not what you think the employer wants to hear.
Borrowing hobbies that you think are cool is a horrible idea. Why? Firstly, if it’s written on your resume, the employer has every right to make it a part of the interview process.
They might ask you about it, especially if the hobby blends in with the job description.
Secondly, they might quiz you about it to see if you are not lying through your teeth. So, don’t be caught on the wrong side.
Here is a list of hobbies you can start now so you can confidently list them on your resume.
Impressive Hobbies To List On Your Resume
Extreme Sports
Being an extreme sports enthusiast will communicate to your employers that you are comfortable taking risks, and you are up for any challenge.
This is more true if you’re running for a leadership position in the job.
Anyone who braves the waters or jumps out of planes shows a high level of fearlessness that will serve them well in the boardroom.
That’s why a hobby like this is impressive to recruiters.
Yoga
To practice yoga, you need a lot of patience. On top of that, yoga teaches mindfulness and being in the moment.
Both of these traits are useful in a high-stress job.
When you put yoga on your resume, employers will know that you are one person they can trust to stay calm and level-headed when things get chaotic.
Team Sports
Playing team sports helps you to become a better team player and collaborator with others.
So, putting this on your resume will tell your employers that you will make a good fit for their team.
Studies have shown that people who play team sports do very well in corporate environments.
If you are looking for a role in the corporate world, then you might want to put team sports on your resume.
Professional Clubs
Joining professional clubs, signals to your employer that you have initiative and are willing to learn from others.
It will be a plus if you have a particular leadership role like chairperson or treasurer in a specific club as it helps you stand a cut above the rest.
Joining well-known clubs or societies in your profession, for example, a Finance or Journalism club is a sign that you are always abreast of any changes happening in your profession.
Additionally, it will prove that you are well networked, which might be just what they are looking for.
Endurance Sports
Sports that take a longer time to complete require a lot of endurance and perseverance. For example, marathons or decathlons.
Having these on your resume shows that you don’t bow out quickly, an excellent sign to recruiters.
Blogging
If you have a knack for writing and you have a blog, it could be useful to put that on your resume.
Not only does it show that you are creative, but it also says that you’re not afraid to put yourself out there, both impressive traits.
Especially if you’re looking for a creative type job, having your employer peek into your blog might open the door for you.
Charitable Hobbies
If you occasionally volunteer at your church or you joined a mentoring program for young kids, it’s a good idea to list that as a hobby on your resume.
It’s a great way to let the employer know that you are committed.
Playing Chess
Chess hobbyists are usually calculative brainiacs with very strategic minds.
That’s exactly what the recruiter will think about you if you have chess listed on your hobbies.
If you are in the science field or other professional areas, that is quite an advantage.
Learning Languages
Recruiters love people who show dedication and an enormous level of passion.
With a language learning hobby, this is precisely how you will come across to them.
Mastering several languages also shows high cognition levels.
So, it’s a great idea to put this in your resume.
Solo Exercise
If you’re into solo exercise hobbies like jogging or walking, you may also want to include these in your resume, especially if you’re going for jobs that require a high level of physical stamina.
Not only do such hobbies speak about your fitness as an individual, but they also showcase your discipline and ability to stick to something.
Stand-Up Comedy
This hobby has friendly personable and easy-going written all over it.
This will undoubtedly make an impression on your recruiter. If the recruiter is a comedy lover themselves, this would be a good icebreaker.
But this doesn’t mean you have the leeway to turn the interview into a comedy skit.
Rather, a good hobby like that would show the interviewer that you can be serious when it comes to it, but you are an all-around fun-loving person.
Gaming
If you list gaming as your hobby, you will come across as extraordinarily tech-savvy and possibly even sufficiently nerdy.
That counts for a lot if you are targeting tech jobs.
But just as a word of caution, don’t put this hobby if the job you’re applying to is the social butterfly type.
Historical Reenactments
Taking a walk back into the past is certainly an educational and fascinating hobby.
On your resume, it shouts, “I know a lot about a lot of things!”.
Recruiters will potentially see someone who reads to a great extent and has tremendous attention to detail.
These traits will work in your favor in an interview situation.
Hiking
Not only will this help you stand out as a go-getter, but it will also show that you are not afraid to take the unbeaten trail.
It will give the employer the impression that you are not a people pleaser and that you are always willing to go the extra mile.
Riddles, Puzzles, and Crosswords
Having a hobby like this on your resume will give your boss-to-be the impression that you have an analytical mind and problem-solving skills.
This is great for making you stand out from the crowd, especially for analytical roles such as Business or Finance analyst.
Metal Detecting
Putting this on your resume is like telling your recruiter how patient and persistent you are in achieving targets.
A hobby like metal detecting takes time, patience, commitment, and a lot of research.
For this reason, employers will know that you are dependable if they see this hobby on your resume.
Playing a Musical Instrument
A stereotypical musician is dedicated and practices repeatedly until they master how to play the instrument.
What this will say for you is that you are a dedicated employee who will not give up.
It will also signal that you are easily trainable, which is what some employers will be looking for.
Restoration Hobbies
Restoring cars, books, clocks, or old furniture takes a painstaking amount of precision and care.
It’s no easy feat taking piles of junk and turning them into brand new spectacles.
For that reason, a restoration hobby would look good on your resume to show hiring managers that you are willing to put your dedication and effort into turning things around.
If you are looking for a management or leadership role, this is a fitting way to show your commitment to turning around failing departments.
Creative Arts
If you are a crafter, painter, or other creative arts, adding this to your resume would be a bonus.
Having a creative bone will count for you, mainly if you target jobs in creative fields like copywriting.
Hobbies of this nature show that you are an out of the box thinker.
Not only that, but they also bring out a high level of concentration and effort.
Unique Hobbies
Unique hobbies like herping or parkour are sure to set you apart from the competition.
If nothing else, they will make the recruiter check twice on your resume.
If your qualifications are remarkable, putting hobbies like this may get you an interview.
The recruiter will likely want to ask you about your hobby, but all the same, once they have you across the table, you can impress them even more.
Observation Hobbies
Whether you are into birdwatching, photography, or gongoozling, you can put this on your resume.
These hobbies are a great option if you apply for a role that requires laser focus like programming or proofreading.
The boss will picture you as a patient person who doesn’t miss a thing, which is a great first impression.
Final Thoughts
Hobbies are an important part of everyday life; job hunting is no different.
Having your hobby listed on your resume can impress your boss to be.
Remember to put a leisure pursuit that brings out strengths that contribute to the job.
You will get to enjoy your pastime while increasing your chances of landing your dream job.
