How much attention do interests and hobbies really receive on a resume, and how do they influence recruiters and decision-makers? It’s hard to say exactly how significant they are. What is certain is that they are often looked for, as they are considered standard information. If you want to stand out and make the reader pay more attention, consider these tips to enhance the likelihood that your interests will boost your application:
- The Start and End Matter: If you list “Interests” as the final section of your resume, make sure the last word is one that resonates with the company. This final word should be an interest that aligns with the company’s focus. Place this on the last line, on the right side of the page, where our eyes naturally end up. Items on the left side of a page are more likely to be overlooked, as studies on reading habits have shown. In Western cultures, reading patterns move from left to right and top to bottom, so upper-left and lower-right elements receive more attention. Therefore, place something relevant to the company in this prominent spot.
Example:
INTERESTS (in the field of journalism) Sports, hiking, travel, cultures, and brain-friendly communication
INTERESTS (for a corporate lawyer) Music, skiing, family, and professional literature on labor and corporate law - Research Your Future Employer’s Interests: Look up the interests and hobbies of your prospective employer on platforms like Xing, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. If one of your hobbies matches theirs, list it last. Like attracts like, and shared hobbies can make you appear more relatable and enhance your resume’s appeal.
Example:
INTERESTS Sports, hiking, travel, foreign cultures, photography (if you discovered through various media that they enjoy photography) - Get Creative: If you want to bring a smile and make the company seem less dull and dry, get creative with your interests.
Example:
INTERESTS Motorcycle riding, traveling to exotic places, literature, and especially convincing Company XY
INTERESTS (in Human Resources) Skiing, art, gardening, and recruiting the right employees for Company XY in the future
All of this only works if your listed interests genuinely reflect your passions. If your interests capture the reader’s attention, they can become a topic of small talk. Therefore, you should be genuinely familiar with these interests. Otherwise, it could backfire and leave a very negative impression, which is not the goal. Often, we only think of interests when others mention them. Start exploring and be surprised at how many commonalities you will find and how you can leverage them in your application process.
Stay tuned for more exciting tips from Doria!
