100 Best Hobbies & Interests to Put on a Resume

Many people are firmly against putting hobbies on a resume, claiming that your job resume and hobbies are two separate things never to be mentioned in the same breath. After all, one is for job hunting, and the other is meant to unwind. But that’s not always the case. Your resume hobbies and interests section can really set you apart from a sea of job seekers and shine some personality onto your resume.

Without further delay, here are some of the top hobbies to list on a resume.

1. Reading – People who read more tend to be more quick-witted and well-informed. Additionally, they tend to have larger vocabularies.

2. Hiking/Outdoor Activities – Getting out in nature is a great way to relieve stress and clear your head. It’s also a good way to get some exercise. Amazing sunset pictures are just an 8-mile hike away.

3. Playing Sports – Playing sports can help you stay in shape, make new friends, and have fun. It also shows great traits like teamwork, leadership, and engagement.

4. Crafting – Crafting can be a great way to relax and de-stress. It can also be a creative outlet. You may even create a business opportunity for yourself depending on your level of talent.

5. Gardening – Gardening can be both relaxing and rewarding. It can also be a great way to get some exercise. You may get covered in dirt, but it signifies the joy of nurturing, which every boss needs to know how to do.

6. Traveling – Seeing new places is a great way to learn about other cultures and expand your horizons. It’s also a great way to expand your food palette and enhance your world view.

7. Photography/Videography – Photography and videography can be both artistic and informative pursuits.

8. Collecting – Collecting can be a way to focus your energies on something positive and fun. It can also be a great conversation starter. From rocks to shells and everything in between, collections have meaning and people want to know what that is.

9. Animal Care – Caring for animals can be a great way to show your compassion and responsibility. It can also be very rewarding.

10. Cooking/Baking – Cooking and baking can be great ways to relax and de-stress. They can also be a lot of fun and improve your physical well-being, as long as you’re not baking cookies constantly.

Just like with hobbies, a person’s interests can set them apart. Below are the top interests to put on a resume.

1. Fashion – Fashion is a great way to express your personality and style.

2. Music – Music is a great way to relax, unwind, and escape from the everyday world. It’s also a form of self-expression.

3. Movies/TV – Watching movies and TV can be a great way to relax and escape from the everyday world. Step into the life of someone else briefly an experience what it’s like.

4. Socializing – Socializing can be a great way to meet new people and make friends.  People who enjoy socializing tend to make more connections and move up the corporate ladder faster than those who don’t.

5. Volunteering – Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and help others in need.

6. Gaming – Gaming can provide an entertaining diversion from the everyday world. It can also be a social activity.

7. Social Media Marketing  – Social media marketing can be a great way to connect with potential customers and promote your business.

8. Search Engine Optimization – Search engine optimization is a great way to improve your website’s ranking in search results.

9. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Pay-per-click advertising can be a great way to drive traffic to your website.

10. Blogging – Blogging can be a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world. It can also be a great way to build an audience for your business.

11. Graphic Design – Audio visual attractiveness engages customers and is one of the main reasons customers become interested in something in the first place.

9. Event Planning – Event planners demonstrate leadership under pressure, organization, and a slew of other important characteristics that employers look for.

10. Fundraising – People who master fundraising are great at rallying people toward a common goal and swaying the common man with words.

11. Business Administration – If you know a lot about business, you can run one more easily.

12. Human Resources – If you’re in HR, you’ve got people skills. People skills making leadership and change management so much easier.

13. Law – You can protect the business from trouble.

18. Teaching/Education  – You enjoy learning and helping others learn. This makes you an ideal team player.

19) Environmentalism – Resumes are often very impersonal. Showing you care about the environment adds depth to your personality.

Why Do People Volunteer?

1. Giving back to your community is a great way to make a difference.

2. Volunteering can help you learn new skills and meet new people.

3. It’s a great way to make friends and build relationships.

4. Volunteering can help you feel more connected to your community.

5. It’s a great way to get involved and make a difference.

Why Participate in Cultural Experiences?

1. Learning about other cultures is a great way to expand your horizons.

2. Participating in cultural activities can help you learn more about other cultures and their customs.

3. It’s a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

4. It’s a great way to get involved in your community.

5. It’s a great way to express your creativity.

Why Does Sports & Fitness Matter?

1. Exercise is important for both your physical and mental health.

2. Participating in sports can help you stay in shape and have fun at the same time.

3. It’s a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

4. Sports can help relieve stress and tension.

5. It’s a great way to get involved in your community.

Great Ways to Volunteer that Work Well on Your Resume

Habitat for Humanity 

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization that builds and rehabilitates houses worldwide. Habitat volunteers help to build, renovate, or repair homes alongside future homeowners.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross also offers health and safety education programs and services.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national youth mentoring organization that pairs adult volunteers with children in need of role models. Volunteers mentor their “bigs” for a minimum of one year, and the organization provides training and resources to help make the mentoring experience a success.

United Way

United Way is a nonprofit organization that coordinates fundraising and volunteerism to support local health and human service programs. United Way volunteers help with a variety of tasks, such as raising money, packing food boxes, delivering meals to the elderly, and more.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a nonprofit organization that funds cancer research, provides education and support services to cancer patients and their families, and advocates for cancer patients’ rights. The American Cancer Society also sponsors annual events like Relay for Life, which raises money for cancer research and patient services.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit organization that delivers meals to homebound seniors. Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver meals to seniors in their community, providing them with both food and companionship.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store that sells donated building materials, furniture, appliances, and more at deeply discounted prices. The proceeds from the sale of these items help fund Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building homes for families in need. Volunteers at the ReStore help to organize and stock the store, as well as pricing and selling donated items.

Animal Shelter

An animal shelter is a facility that provides temporary care for stray, abandoned, or surrendered animals. Animal shelters also offer adoption services to help find homes for homeless animals. Volunteers at animal shelters help feed and care for the animals, as well as cleaning cages and kennels.

Soup kitchen

A soup kitchen is a facility that provides free or low-cost meals to people in need. Soup kitchens are typically run by churches or other nonprofit organizations, and they rely heavily on volunteers to help prepare and serve meals.

Food bank

A food bank is a nonprofit organization that collects and stores donated food for distribution to people in need. Volunteers at food banks help to sort and box donated food, as well as distribute it to local pantries and soup kitchens.

Literacy program

A literacy program is an educational program designed to help people improve their reading, writing, and communication skills. Literacy programs typically serve adults who did not learn to read or write at a traditional school. Volunteers in literacy programs help tutor students and provide administrative support.

Homeless shelter

A homeless shelter is a facility that provides temporary housing for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Homeless shelters typically offer meals and access to social services, such as job training and mental health counseling. Volunteers at homeless shelters help to prepare and serve meals, clean the premises, and provide support and guidance to residents.

Environmental organization

An environmental organization is a nonprofit group that advocates for policies and practices that protect the environment. Environmental organizations may focus on issues like climate change, pollution, energy consumption, or conservation. Volunteers with environmental organizations help spread awareness about environmental issues, organize protests and rallies, and write letters

Sports and Fitness Interests for Resumes

Creative Resume Builders

This is primarily for entertainment value. While it’s true that people should attempt to make their resumes stand out, mentioning parkour on a resume is not going to help you. Do you research on who you’re meeting with and Facebook stalk them a bit to find out what they like to do in their free time. If you can find common ground, you’ll have a leg up over competing candidates.