Should you include hobbies on your CV?

From ‘keen skier’ to pets via volunteer work…

One thing that always comes up when I do a CV coaching session is hobbies. They’re the extra bit we all always historically included, especially when building a CV at the start of our careers. But when we come to re-work our CV as a grown up, they can feel a bit cheesy.

Hobbies can be a big diversion for the reader - AKA recruiter or client. So should you ditch including your extra-curricular interests altogether?

It’s a yes and a no… the key here is to think a) is it really my hobby? And b) does it deserve a mention on my CV?

Hobbies are such an old school thing on a CV - they show what else you’re into, don’t they? They give a bit of ‘non work’ you. A feel for the other side of you. They can showcase your skills and break up the seriousness of a CV.

But they can also be an embarrassing red herring. I remember years ago (we’re talking 2004) I had ‘keen skier and sailor’ on my CV. Well, I’d been on a sailing holiday… it made for an awkward interview moment! These days it’s keen apres-skier…

That’s the thing, hobbies can be a massive distraction to the reader. Suddenly you’re in an interview and they’re more bothered about your love of houseplants/running/scuba/crochet than your core work skills!

If you’re torn whether to keep them on there, here’s my advice on whether or not to add ‘hobbies’ to your CV:

💥 Don’t use the word hobbies! Hobbies is a very strange word, my approach is that instead of listing hobbies, list interests and achievements. Reframing the word helps you decide what to include and why. Hobbies feels childish and by shifting the wording you are moving away from ‘at the weekend I like to…’ vibes.

💥 Ask yourself if the activity or interest ties in with your work - if not, then it might not belong on your CV. Also think about things you do that aren’t a hobby but might fit in this category, eg perhaps you help co-ordinate the school Duke of Edinburgh award activities. I co-admin a Facebook group for women in the media so that’s on my CV as an example of moderating and building a community in my industry. While I enjoy using a sewing machine I inherited, I haven’t listed ‘sewing’ as a hobby… (although I can make an excellent bunting and dog neckerchief).

💥 Consider whether you really want the recruiter or client to know what you do in your spare time! Might it put them off? It shouldn’t but it might… One person’s love of park run is another’s ick about running! You might be into walking your dogs but they’re a devoted cat person… Of course you’d hope they wouldn’t judge on such things but leaving them out avoids any possible ick moments when you get that interview.

💥 Think about whether it is a hobby or interest or just a ‘thing that you do’. For example I like going for walks but I’m not an avid rambler climbing mountains each weekend with specialist equipment! Equally, I love my dogs but they’re not a hobby! They’re a part of my life. Running the local dog meet up group or volunteering with the Blue Cross would be a hobby or interest. I love rummaging in charity shops but that’s not a hobby… essentially it’s ’shopping’.

💥 Ask yourself what you do outside of work that adds oomph to what you do inside work and be prepared to link a hobby or interest to the job. Volunteer work is a good example of this. Is there something you like to do that shows amazing relevant skills? Competing is a good way to differentiate between hobby and something to share on a CV. High achievement in your chosen interest - running is one thing but ultra marathon runner says resilience and commitment.

💥 Finally, my CV golden rule of ‘does it earn its place on the page’ applies here. If you list that enjoyment of gardening, what space are you taking up that could be filled with key info about your leadership skills?Don’t feel sad to leave off that love of scuba/baking/gardening. Hobbies can shine elsewhere - social media for example. It’s not about erasing them all but more about asking: “is it really a big interest of mine? Am I able to expand on it with my work in mind? Is this a curveball for the reader I don’t want them to catch?”

Thanks as always for reading! Share your thoughts in the comments and feel free to share this and tag me on socials and LinkedIn.