Best Hobbies and Interests for a CV

Hobbies and interests is an optional CV section you can include when you write your CV.

Its purpose is to help employers understand who you are beyond your work experience, skills, and education. Including this information is particularly useful if you’re making a CV for a first job because it can show what motivated you to apply.

This article will show you how you can write a strong, relevant hobbies and interests section that sets you apart from other job applicants and encourages the employer to call you in for an interview.

Do you need to put hobbies and interests on your CV?

You don’t need to put hobbies and interests on your CV, but doing so can give you a competitive edge.

Including relevant hobbies and interests on your CV helps employers understand your motivations and career goals.

That kind of information can greatly influence hiring decisions, particularly for entry-level and volunteer roles.

Imagine you’re a hiring manager reviewing applications for a graduate scheme. When you’re looking at a bunch of people with similar qualifications, it’s the ones who seem more motivated or just more interesting who catch your eye. That’s where hobbies and interests help.

If you decide to include them, you should list your hobbies and interests near the bottom of your CV:

The only time you should leave hobbies and interests off your CV is when you’re struggling to get your CV length to under two pages.

You don’t need to worry about including hobbies and interests if you already have enough relevant qualifications and achievements to fill two pages. You can always mention your interests when you write your cover letter.

Great hobbies and interests examples for your CV

The best (and only) hobbies and interests to put on your CV should be relevant to your target job, highlight useful soft skills, or tell the employer what motivates you.

Here are a few examples of hobbies and interests that are broadly relevant and suitable across industries:

Language learning

Studying languages tells the employer that you’re curious and self-motivated, which is valuable if you’re applying for a job at a global company.

Only list nonessential languages in your hobbies and interests section. If the foreign language you speak is actually needed for the job, make sure it’s listed in your skills or mentioned in your personal statement.

• Spanish: Self-studied to B1 level using Duolingo and weekly conversation practice with native speakers via HelloTalk.

Blogging

Blogging is a great way to show you’re self-motivated and know your stuff. Keeping up with any writing project takes time and focus, which is doubly impressive if you’re blogging alongside work or school.

If your blog relates to the job, mentioning it in your hobbies and interests section gives you a chance to highlight your expertise.

• Blogging: Maintain a Substack profile reviewing independent films, evidenced by consistent posting and active engagement with 1,000+ subscribers.

Team sports

Team sports like football, rugby, or even ultimate frisbee teach you how to work with others and think ahead.

Whether you play on a local team or coach under-11s, adding a team sport to your CV can help you position yourself as strategic and reliable.

• Rugby: Volunteer coach for an under-11s rugby team.

Musical interests

Whether you’re a bedroom DJ or Grade 8 saxophonist, musical hobbies reflect creativity, curiosity, and commitment to developing a skill. Including musical interests tells employers that you’re a self-learner and likely to be self-motivated in the workplace.

• Music production: Create and share electronic music using Ableton Live and SoundCloud.

Volunteering

Listing volunteering in your hobbies and interests section is an effective way to highlight any values you share with the employer.

Some good examples of volunteering experience you could add to your hobbies and interests include supporting the National Trust, participating in fundraising events, or offering care in your local community.

• Volunteering: Costumed interpreter at The Workhouse and Infirmary (National Trust), engaging visitors with the property’s storied past.

Event organising

Event organising takes effort and skill, and not everyone is up to the task. If you’ve ever pulled off pub quizzes, facilitated a community meetup, or hosted amateur competitions, it may deserve a place in your hobbies and interests section.

If you put this type of interest on your CV, remember to include measurable details like how big the event was, how much money it brought, or how much attention it got on social media.

• Hosting trivia nights: Create challenging yet entertaining monthly quizzes for The Nag’s Head Banbury, often seeing turnouts of 50+ participants.

Outdoor activities

Outdoor activities like hiking, running, or biking demonstrate discipline, commitment, and goal-setting. Participating in events like 5Ks or marathons highlights consistency and mental resilience — qualities that translate well to the professional world.

• Runner: Participate in quarterly 10K races and half marathons, currently working towards my first full marathon.

Performing arts

Having acting or dancing experience signals to employers that you’re comfortable performing under pressure, staying composed, and recovering from mistakes.

Having those transferable skills will work to your advantage in roles where you have to pitch proposals, present to large audiences, or deal with difficult customers.

• Improv: Lead monthly workshops and public performances at the Grand Fulham Comedy Club.

Technology-related interests

The UK is struggling through a skills gap in which digital skills are far below employer demand. Including hobbies or interests that relate to this key knowledge area can enhance your CV, even if you’re still developing your skills.

Use your hobbies and interests section to highlight tech skills that do not directly relate to the job’s responsibilities. Any relevant technical skills belong in your skills section.

• Web development: Self-teaching HTML and CSS on Codecademy, currently setting up my first personal website.

Arts and crafts

Whether you sketch, crochet, or make your own clothes, arts and crafts hobbies demonstrate focus, curiosity, and long-term commitment.

These hobbies are especially valuable if you’re applying for a design or creative role, where employers often want to see how you engage with creativity beyond the workplace.

• Watercolour: Paint landscapes and share them on a dedicated Instagram account (@BrushStrokes), currently working on a series of waterway scenes.

You should include a variety hobbies and interests on your CV to make yourself appear well-rounded and use CV format that presents these details clearly without distracting from your main qualifications.

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Hobbies and interests to leave off your CV

Some hobbies and interests are best kept off your CV to avoid offending an employer. Unless you’re applying for a job that specifically requires them, don’t list interests and activities that are related to the following controversial areas:

• Politics
• Religion
• Hunting
• Weapons and firearms

How to put the right hobbies and interests on your CV

Here’s how to write a great CV hobbies and interests section.

1. Brainstorm the hobbies and interests that make you stand out

Grab a piece of paper and jot down your personal pursuits and interests – anything you excel at or that genuinely excites you.

A good way to brainstorm this section of your CV is to think about your quirks and passions. What truly excites you? What makes you different from your friends, classmates, or professional peers? Here are some questions to help you brainstorm compelling hobbies and interests:

• What activities do I regularly spend my evenings or weekends doing?
• What interests do I often talk about with enthusiasm and detail?
• What groups or communities am I involved in outside of work and school?
• Which of my hobbies or interests would surprise someone I’ve just met?

2. Choose the hobbies and interests that show your personality is a good fit for the job

While your hobbies and interests section should reflect your individuality, it will be most impactful if it showcases qualities that reflect the employer’s needs.

You can discover which personal traits are most relevant to the job by carefully reviewing the job description, company profile, and candidate requirements.

What kind of person thrives in this role? What type of personality do you think would be a good fit for the company culture?

Pay close attention to the soft skills and personal traits emphasised in the job posting. Choose 3–5 hobbies and interests from your list that demonstrate these qualities.

3. Put your hobbies & interests section at the bottom of your CV

List your hobbies and interests last on your CV, as it contains additional personal information and not essential qualifications.

Write a bulleted list with each hobby or interest in bold, followed by a brief description to give context. Including any noteworthy achievements or memberships is a good way to show your engagement and skill level.

Here’s an example of a hobbies and interests section that illustrates this approach:

• Street dance: Teach after-school popping and breaking classes to children aged 11–16, using engaging games and drills to explain techniques and develop muscle memory and musicality
• Language learning: Currently learning Dutch through a combination of self-study using TV shows and music and one-on-one language lessons with a conversation partner

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about hobbies and interests.

What are some good hobbies and interests for students?

Good hobbies and interests for students are those that signal motivation or showcase relevant soft skills to an employer. Here are some types of hobbies and interests to spark your ideas:

• Reading: Mentioning specific topics or titles that you find particularly engaging or are actively learning about can be insightful.
• Sports: Involvement in teams or clubs demonstrates dedication and commitment, especially if you’ve received awards or honours.
• Creative writing: Writing demonstrates curiosity, creativity, and commitment. Links to a personal website or portfolio are particularly compelling.
• Coding and tech skills: The UK has a shortage of digitally skilled workers. Being self-taught in a tool or programming language highlights your proactive nature and self-drive.

Do my hobbies and interests need to be directly related to the job?

No, your hobbies and interests don’t need to have a direct link to the job. The primary goal of the hobbies and interests section is to reveal the person behind your application to the employer. Focus on hobbies and interests that highlight your unique character and communicate what motivates you as a job seeker.