When applying for a job, HR managers pay a lot of attention to the CV in particular. Many applicants also mention hobbies here. But what should be mentioned and what should be omitted?
Stuttgart - Away from their jobs and careers, many people use their free time for their own interests and hobbies. Whether it's martial arts, reading or tinkering with the car – what we do in our free time usually reflects our character very well. This, in turn, is also interesting for future employers. But should I really write everything in my application? Or is naming hobbies in your CV no longer up to date at all?
When writing a cover letter, many people think about which hobbies could be well received. Above all, however, you should be honest with your information. © imago images/Boomeart
Hobbies as a conversation starter: How to be on the safe side during the job interview
The question of whether to mention or omit hobbies from your resume is a frequently discussed topic. However, there is no definite answer to this, since it depends on various factors how relevant the hobbies are to the desired position and how they present the applicant. If you run out of ideas for the wording in cover letters and the like, you can use ChatGPT for this purpose. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when writing applications with AI.
In some cases, it may be quite useful to mention hobbies on the resume. On the one hand, certain hobbies can highlight relevant skills or characteristics that are beneficial for the job you are applying for. For example, participation in a team sport such as basketball may indicate that the applicant has the ability to work in a team. Membership in a debating club, for example, can indicate good communication skills and argumentation. On the other hand, hobbies can also serve as an icebreaker or topic of conversation, especially during the interview. Even with these tricks, you will be remembered by HR managers.
Creative hobbies such as photography are always well received on your CV. © imago images/AntonioGuillem
If a potential employer also shows interest in a particular hobby or does it himself, this can make the conversation more enjoyable. The first impression can also be decisive in the job interview. With these outfits at the job interview you make the right choice. In addition, hobbies in the resume should always be presented professionally. It is not appropriate to disclose sensitive or personal information. It is better to mention general hobbies such as sports, reading, travel or volunteering instead of mentioning specific or controversial interests.
These hobbies always go in the resume:
- Read
- Jog
- Swim
- Soccer / basketball / volleyball etc.
- Cook
- Wander
- Bike
- Travel
- Photography
Skydiving to cave diving: Daring hobbies should be kept secret
As a general rule, anyone who decides to mention their leisure activities in their CV should also be honest. Otherwise, unpleasant situations could arise when asked questions during the interview. In addition, you should not overdo it with the list. Two to four hobbies are quite enough. If questions arise about weaknesses, you should be prepared. With these answers, you score points in the job interview.
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However, there are also situations when it is better to omit hobbies from the resume. If the hobbies are not related to the desired position and do not demonstrate relevant skills or characteristics, they may appear as unnecessary information and take up valuable space in the resume. In such cases, it is better to focus on relevant work experience, education and qualifications. But it is also better to leave out "risky" hobbies that seem dangerous to future superiors. After all, with such hobbies, the boss might wonder if he constantly has to expect that you will be absent due to injury.
Hobbies such as skydiving are not so well received by applications. © dpa/Hauke-Christian Dittrich
The following extreme hobbies should be kept secret:
- Cave diving
- Skydiving
- Mountaineering
- Base jumping
- Skydiving
In conclusion, the decision to mention or omit hobbies from the resume depends on the relevance to the desired position, the skills and characteristics associated with it, and the presentation. It can be helpful to look at the hobbies as a complement to the professional profile and make sure that they add value instead of cluttering up the resume. Did you know? Gaps in the CV are not a problem. With these tricks you can still score points in the job interview.
