When you build a resume, a topic of interest to hiring managers. That’s why it’s important to learn the difference between hobbies and interests when creating a comprehensive presentation that hiring managers will appreciate. There is a crucial difference between hobbies and interests, and you need to understand that difference when deciding on whether or not to note them in your resume.
Hobbies
Hobbies can be directly associated with your profession, but not necessarily. For example, an aerospace engineer may have a hobby that involves building and flying model planes. At the same time, that engineer may also have a crossword puzzle hobby as well.
Hobbies require an active pursuit of an interest that could involve collecting, building, cataloging, or creating something.
Hobbies require an active pursuit of an interest that could involve collecting, building, cataloging, or creating something. Your hobby might be writing poems, or it could be collecting pictures of historical buildings.
Interests
Interests are pursuits that do not elicit the same strong dedication that hobbies do. Interests can spawn from professional pursuits, but that is not always the case. For example, an aerospace engineer may have an interest in offshore oil drilling as it pertains to generating energy. That interest may come from the engineer's days of designing helipads for offshore oil rigs.
The primary difference between hobbies and interests is that interests do not inspire the same level of dedication that hobbies do.
The primary difference between hobbies and interests is that interests do not inspire the same level of dedication that hobbies do. Someone with an interest in quantum physics may learn just enough to understand it, while that same person may have a hobby that involves collecting and framing old railroad pictures which consumes much of their free time.
How is the Difference between Hobbies and Interests Relevant to a Resume?
A list of interests that pertain to one's career can significantly enhance their resume. For example, an accountant who has an interest in forensic accounting would broaden their appeal to potential hiring managers by listing that interest in their resume.
Understand that having an interest doesn’t require taking action.
Understand that having an interest doesn’t require taking action. Interests are more thought-based—they come into your head quickly, and can exit in weeks. A hobby, on the other hand, requires you to take action and learn a new skill. So when you are aiming to add additional value to your resume, only add hobbies that are in direct alignment with the career or position you are applying for.
Should I Put My Hobbies and Interests on My Resume?
Hiring managers do not require hobbies and interests to be put on resumes, but it could be information that gets your resume noticed over the rest. It is important to remember that if you include interests on your resume that enhance your background, then you should be prepared to discuss those interests with the hiring manager. If you use fake interests just to enhance your resume, then you will be asking for trouble.
Hobbies are tricky because while you may want the hiring manager to be interested in what you do with your free time, you need to exercise best judgment when considering including them. If your hobbies are offensive or borderline illegal, then they should not be on your resume. This should go without saying! In general, avoid noting any religious or politically themed hobbies or interests, and definitely leave out truly extraneous hobbies or interests—for example, if you’re applying for a job as a paralegal, don’t note Real Housewives binge-watching as being one of your hobbies.
The bottom line is this: if you feel adding hobbies and interests to your resume will increase its value, which in turn could increase your chances of getting hired, go for it. If not, don’t. Neither are mandatory to include!
