Introduction
Some people say you should never include hobbies and interests in a CV, others say it’s a great way to show off your personality. So, what’s the answer? Should you include them or not?
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of including hobbies and interests in your CV, and we’ll help you decide whether or not to include them.
The Pros of Including Hobbies and Interests
There are several reasons why you might want to include your hobbies and interests on your CV. Here are some of the most common benefits:
1. It Shows Off Your Personality
When you include your hobbies and interests on your CV, it gives potential employers a better idea of who you are outside of the workplace. For many employers, this is much more valuable than your work experience or qualifications.
2. It Shows Off Your Skills
If you have writing skills for a blog, coding knowledge to create websites, or any other skill relevant to your hobbies and interests, including them can help demonstrate these skills to potential employers. If you want to highlight specific skills on your CV, don’t forget that you can list them under extra-curricular activities.
3. It Helps You Find Common Ground with Employers
Employers are looking for great employees – people they’ll enjoy working with every day. Including your hobbies and interests helps demonstrate that you’re someone who enjoys working hard, but also has of varied interests outside of work. This can help employers see you as a potential fit for their team.
4. It Shows That You’re Passionate About What You Do
When you include your hobbies and interests, it shows that you’re passionate about what you do. For many people, having a hobby or interest that’s completely unrelated to their job can be a great way to relax and de-stress after a long day at work.
5. It Can Help You Stand Out from the Crowd
With so many other candidates applying for jobs, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Including your hobbies and interests on your CV is one way to do this.
6. It Shows Your Commitment to Learning New Things
Employers love employees who are eager to learn and improve themselves. Including your hobbies and interests helps demonstrate this commitment to learning, as you’re taking time out of your day for something that isn’t related to work.
The Cons of Including Hobbies and Interests
Although there are a few benefits, there are several reasons why you might not want to include your hobbies and interests on your CV:
1. It’s Not Relevant Information
Your hobbies and interests aren’t necessarily relevant information for employers – especially if they’re completely unrelated to the job you’re applying for. In fact, including them can sometimes hurt more than help because it wastes space on your CV that could be better used highlighting other skills or experience from previous roles.
2. They Shouldn’t Take Up Too Much Space
If you’re going to include your hobbies and interests on your CV, make sure that they don’t take up too much space. It’s important to remember that your CV should be concise and easy to read, so including too many things can make it difficult for employers to find the information they’re looking for.
3. They Might Not Be Impressive to Employers
Some of your hobbies and interests might not be very impressive to potential employers. For example, if you enjoy reading or playing video games in your spare time, these activities might not seem very impressive compared to other candidates who have more impressive hobbies, such as travelling or playing sports.
4. They Might Show a Lack of Commitment to Work
If your hobbies and interests take up a lot of your time, it might show a lack of commitment to your work. This is especially true if you’re not able to balance your time between work and your hobbies in a way that still allows you to be productive.
5. They Might Make You Look Unprofessional
Some of your hobbies and interests might make you look unprofessional to potential employers. For example, if you’re into punk rock music and like to dress in punk rock clothing, this might not be the best image for you to present to employers.
6. They Can Be Used Against You
There’s always the chance that something you include on your CV could be used against you in the hiring process. If an employer doesn’t like the sound of one of your hobbies or interests, they might not want to interview you.
Conclusion
Overall, whether or not you should include your hobbies and interests on your CV depends on a number of factors, including how relevant they are to the job you’re applying for and how much space you have on your CV. If you do decide to include them, make sure that they don’t take up too much space and that they’re presented in a way that’s professional and easy to read.
There are several reasons why including your hobbies and interests on your CV can be beneficial for you. First of all, it can help you stand out from the crowd by showing employers that you’re passionate about what you do.
Further Information
To find more careers articles visit: Careers Center