Interests which look good on a cv

Extreme sports like ultra-marathons, racing mountain bikes, or sky diving can show potential employers that you're comfortable pushing boundaries, you're disciplined, you don't fear the unknown, and you are a calculated risk-taker, Gelbard says.

Video production as a hobby can make you an appealing candidate for an event planning or production role. It also shows that you are precise, highly-detailed and focused - all key to events positions. Competing in endurance sports like marathons, triathlons, or cycling show drive, tenacity, and dedication, Gelbard says. These qualities are desirable for business development, account management, and sales roles, among other jobs, and may boost your candidacy in the hiring manager's eye.

Not only does playing a team sport like water polo, soccer, or volleyball help you look like a team player, but Vicky Oliver, author of Live Like A Millionaire Without Having To Be One and Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions , tells Business Insider that being a captain adds leadership ability to your list of skills.

If you're on the hunt for communications or marketing jobs, showing off your blogging skills can enhance your candidacy, Gelbard says. She notes a few caveats, though: make sure your blog is current, entries are well-written and mistake-free, and the topic is a positive reflection of your personal brand. Gelbard says including your passion for mountain climbing and that you've hiked major peaks in 10 countries not only shows strong personality traits to potential employers, but it can also be helpful if you're interested in roles in related industries.

In certain fields, like venture capital and banking, Oliver says it might be good to show that you're a bit of a gambler. Gelbard says that photography can be a valuable hobby to list if you're looking for an account or creative director position at a digital marketing agency since it communicates creativity, positioning, and patience, "all of which can be helpful in your target roles".

If you have a current, well-curated website, be sure to direct potential employers there with a link to your site, she says. Whether you create your own perfume or practice jujitsu, hobbies that might lead to an interesting conversation may be worth including, Oliver says. Just be sure the conversation isn't interesting for all the wrong reasons - exotic animal hunters need not apply.

Adding hobbies and interests can support a resume with little to no professional experience or highlight important interests that extend beyond your work history and education.

Some companies may look favorably on resumes that include hobbies and interests as they might help employers connect with you on a personal level.

Resume Format 1. Name and contact information 2. Summary or objective 3. Professional history a. Company name b. Dates of tenure c. Description of role and achievement 4. Education 5. Skills 6. In this article, we discuss how to list hobbies and interests on your resume, when you should include this section, what types of hobbies and interests work best, and which you should leave off. Hobbies and interests are closely related but may not always be the same. Hobbies are activities that you engage in, while interests are passive ideas or topics.

If the employer is interested to know more about that hobby, you may be asked to elaborate during an interview. If you are interested in travel but have done very little of it, that would be considered an interest. Hobbies you include gives employers an idea about how you spend your time and what additional skills you may have.

Take a look at this: Google hires people who are open and playful. If you want to work at Google, you should tailor your resume so that your best hobbies match their work culture. On the other hand, if you are applying to a buttoned-up accounting firm, you might want to skip putting hobbies in your resume altogether. Candidate discretion is advised —to borrow from a TV disclaimer. Most of the hobbies and interests you put on your resume will say something about you to the hiring manager.

You can use them to 1 resonate with the interviewer, 2 give them an ice-breaker question, 3 signal character traits they might be looking for.

According to Zety's analysis of , resumes , the most commonly mentioned passtime activities were, you guessed it, watching movies , listening to music , reading books , and travel. Hiring managers have seen these hobbies a million times And neither would you if you were looking for a date. Selecting activities for your resume is about choosing what aspects of your personality you want to emphasize and communicate.

Volunteering shows a lot of initiative and strong morals. It also teaches organizational and leadership skills. Communication is the heart of every organisation. Writing novels or publishing scientific papers give a clear representation of your written communication skills. Blogging, just as any kind of writing, proves you have communication and writing skills. Data shows communication is the most important skill for people entering the workforce. The podcast format has become incredibly popular.

Podcasting allows to demonstrate you have industry expertize, know how build an audience marketing skills and connect with thought leaders networking and research skills. It's a good way to improve organizational skills , too. The rise of social media has created such new job professions as a social media manager, content creator, or SEO specialist.

The three fastest-emerging languages of global consumers are Russian, Hindi, and Japanese. Studies have found a correlation between learning languages and problem-solving abilities , intelligence , and memory skills. Photography is so much more than just taking pictures. It develops conceptual skills and technical expertise , but also teaches how to collaborate with others. Curiosity, courage, and self-organization.

And flexibility and adaptability are among the most important workplace personal traits. Exercising in general develops self-discipline, patience, and helps bounce back from disappointment. Team sports create opportunities to improve leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills , too. It also involves concentrating on breathing and is a great way to relax your mind.

And data shows a relaxed employee is less likely to leave their job. It also boosts cognitive performance and helps to unwind. Hundreds of jobs require creativity skills. Imagination and inventiveness are also parts of critical-thinking skills.

Reading shows you follow your passions. It also prevents cognitive decline and reduces stress. And helps maintain work-life balance. Making music is good for your brain. You might find it surprising, but research shows learning how to play instruments fosters math and science ability.

It also helps improve your mental performance making you better able to concentrate and memory. Listening to music lowers stress and elevates your mood.

It strengthens learning and memory abilities, too. In the ever-changing corporate world being able to learn new things on a daily basis is a top employability skill especially in the rise of AI. The list above is more-or-less sorted by how appropriate listing them on a resume is. The last four? Skip them unless you can be more specific and know for a fact that they will resonate with the hiring team. Let's be honest, if you boil down your passions into a single word, they become a yawn fest.

Listening to music, reading books, and watching movies? Saying you like these is like saying you like to breathe. Here's what to do instead—. Take Shanice, for example.

She's applying for a junior position with an advertising agency. She noticed the company is laid-back and a bit geeky—at least juding by a photo she saw on the about us page. The team seems to love Rick and Morty. She does too! There you go, immediate connection. Then there's Mike. He likes reading books, sure, but his favorite writer is Wang Shuo. He could mention that on his resume: Reading books by Wang Shuo. Who is Wang Shuo, you ask? Bam—immediate conversation starter. And Peggy —she's played basketball since high school and noticed strong teamwork skills in the job ad.