Should You Include Hobbies and Interests on Your CV: Pros and Cons

Should You Include Hobbies and Interests on Your CV: Pros and Cons

When it comes to creating your CV, you might be wondering whether or not you should include your hobbies and interests. Some people argue that they make you seem more personable and well-rounded, while others claim that they’re useless filler that distracts from your professional skills and achievements. So, which is it? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of including hobbies and interests on your CV, and help you decide whether or not it’s the right choice for you.

The Pros

Let’s start with the positives. Including hobbies and interests on your CV can help you in a few different ways:

1. Showcasing Your Personality and Interests: A list of hobbies and interests can give potential employers a glimpse into who you are beyond your professional experience. It can help them understand your personality traits, values, and what makes you unique.

2. Demonstrating Your Skills: Some hobbies and interests can show off your skills and accomplishments. For example, if you’re an avid marathon runner, it demonstrates your discipline and determination. Likewise, if you’re a skilled photographer or writer, it showcases your creativity and attention to detail.

3. Making You Memorable: In a sea of generic CVs, including a unique or uncommon hobby can make you stand out from the crowd. It might be the thing that sets you apart from other candidates and helps you land an interview.

The Cons

While there are some benefits to including hobbies and interests on your CV, there are also some drawbacks to consider:

1. Taking Up Valuable Space: Space on your CV is limited, so you want to use it wisely. Including a list of hobbies and interests might take up valuable real estate that you could use to showcase your professional experience and accomplishments.

2. Irrelevant Hobbies and Interests: Some hobbies simply don’t have any relevance to the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying to be an accountant, for example, listing your love of skydiving or cooking might not do anything to support your application.

3. Risking Exclusion: Some employers might be biased against certain hobbies or interests that they deem unprofessional or inappropriate. If an employer has a strong aversion to a particular hobby, it could sway their opinion of you and hurt your chances of getting the job.

Conclusion

So, should you include hobbies and interests on your CV? Ultimately, the decision is up to you. If you have unique hobbies or interests that demonstrably showcase your skills or personality traits, then it might be worth including them. However, if they don’t add anything significant to your application or risk turning off potential employers, then it’s probably best to leave them out. Remember, your CV is ultimately a tool to showcase your professional achievements and experience, so everything you include should be strategically selected to support that goal.

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