The 100 Most Common Hobbies for Your Resume

Many applicants eventually face the same question: Should hobbies even be included in a CV? And if so, which ones?

While some omit the section entirely, others list every leisure activity they can think of. Neither is always the best solution. Hobbies can give recruiters additional insights into your personality. They demonstrate interests, commitment, and sometimes even skills that may be relevant to the job.

At the same time, there are uncertainties. Are gaming, social media, or Netflix suitable hobbies? Should you only mention sporting activities? And how many hobbies should actually be included in a CV?

The good news: There are no fixed rules. The key is that the interests mentioned are authentic and fit your profile. In this article, you will find the 100 most common hobbies for a CV, as well as tips on which ones can make a particularly good impression and which ones you should better avoid.

Table of Contents:

Why Hobbies Can Be Useful in a CV
The 100 Most Common Hobbies for Your CV
Hobbies Employers Often View Positively
Hobbies You Should Choose Carefully
How to Choose the Right Hobbies for Your Application
What You Should Take Away from the List
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why Hobbies Can Be Useful in Your Resume

A CV mainly consists of professional experience, education, and qualifications. Hobbies add a personal touch to this picture.

This section can be particularly helpful for career starters, pupils, students, or career changers. If there is little professional experience, leisure activities provide additional information about interests and strengths.

Examples:

Team sports can demonstrate teamwork.
Voluntary work indicates a sense of responsibility.
Musical instruments often require perseverance and discipline.
Creative hobbies can convey a joy for design and initiative.

However, it is important to remember: hobbies do not replace qualifications. They are merely a supplementary component within the application.

The 100 Most Common Hobbies for Your Resume

Not every hobby suits every person or position. The following list shows the most popular leisure activities that often appear on resumes.

Reading
Traveling
Hiking
Running
Fitness
Weight training
Cycling
Swimming
Soccer
Volleyball
Basketball
Handball
Tennis
Badminton
Table tennis
Yoga
Pilates
Dancing
Climbing
Skiing
Snowboarding
Sailing
Surfing
Fishing
Golf
Horse riding
Martial arts
Chess
Photography
Videography
Drawing
Painting
Crafting
Needlework
Sewing
Knitting
Pottery
Writing
Blogging
Podcasting
Listening to music
Playing guitar
Playing piano
Playing drums
Singing
Choir
Theater
Acting
Cooking
Baking
Grilling
Gardening
Caring for houseplants
DIY
Furniture restoration
Model building
Collecting
Board games
Card games
Solving puzzles
Programming
Web design
Graphic design
3D printing
Robotics
Gaming
E-sports
Social media
Content creation
Video editing
Learning languages
Tutoring
Volunteering
Club work
Volunteer fire department
Rescue service
Animal welfare
Environmental projects
Meditation
Mindfulness
Astronomy
History
Politics
Economic topics
Stock market and finance
Cryptocurrencies
Fashion
Cosmetics
Interior design
Architecture
Film and cinema
Camping
Geocaching
Motorcycling
Car tuning
Classic cars
Traveling with a camper van
Creating photo books
Creative writing
Puzzles

Hobbies that are often viewed favorably by employers

Not every hobby is automatically judged positively or negatively. Often, it depends on the specific situation and context.

The following interests are particularly often perceived as positive:

Volunteer activities
Club work
Team sports
Musical activities
Learning languages
Reading
Programming
Creative projects
Tutoring
Volunteer fire department

The reason is simple: these hobbies allow conclusions to be drawn about qualities that are also in demand in professional life.

An applicant who is regularly active in a sports club may demonstrate team spirit. Someone who plays an instrument often brings patience and a willingness to practice. Those who volunteer their time invest it willingly for other people.

Of course, this does not mean that other hobbies are inferior. The overall picture always remains decisive.

Hobbies you should choose carefully

Generally, honesty is more important than seemingly perfect answers.

Nevertheless, there are some hobbies that are not always useful in a resume or can raise questions.

These include, for example:

Political activities
Religious activities
Gambling
High-risk sports with a high risk of injury
Extremely controversial topics
Very private interests

You should also be careful with terms like "Netflix," "watching TikTok," or "chilling." Such information offers little added value and says little about skills or interests.

If you want to mention similar activities, it's better to phrase them more specifically. Instead of "Social Media," for example, "Content Creation for Social Media Channels" could be much more meaningful.

How to Choose the Right Hobbies for Your Application

The best choice usually consists of two to four interests.

Ask yourself:

Does the hobby fit my profile?
Is it a current and regular part of my life?
Can it highlight positive qualities?
Could I talk about it in a job interview?

An example:

Someone applying for a marketing position who privately photographs, edits videos, and runs a blog can easily mention these activities.

However, if the same person applies as an accountant, these hobbies are still permissible, but they are less directly related to the job.

This doesn't mean that hobbies must perfectly match the job. They should merely convey an authentic image of you.

What to take away from the list

Hobbies are not a mandatory part of a resume, but they can be a valuable addition. They give employers an impression of what you do outside of school, studies, or work.

Leisure activities that demonstrate commitment, teamwork, creativity, or willingness to learn are particularly helpful. At the same time, you should make sure to keep the section clear and only list interests that genuinely suit you.

Ultimately, it matters less which hobby you choose. What is crucial is that the information is honest and meaningfully complements your profile. Two or three well-chosen hobbies usually appear more convincing than a long list without a clear message.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many hobbies should be included in a resume?

As a rule, two to four hobbies are perfectly sufficient. Too much information can unnecessarily lengthen your CV.

Are hobbies mandatory on a resume?

No. If you don't want to list any relevant or suitable hobbies, you can also omit this section.

Can I list gaming as a hobby?

Yes. Especially if gaming involves strategic, technical, or organizational aspects, this can certainly be beneficial.

Should I list travel as a hobby?

Yes, travel is one of the most common entries in a CV and is generally perceived positively.

Which hobbies come across as particularly professional?

Volunteering, club work, team sports, musical instruments, programming, or learning languages are often viewed positively.

Do I have to talk about my hobbies in a job interview?

Potentially. That's why you should only list interests that you can genuinely discuss if asked.

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