Hobbies and Interests on a CV: Are They Necessary?

Well, are they?

Since becoming unemployed at the start of May, I had the opportunity to get my CV reviewed and restructured by two professional CV editors, one of which is a personal friend. During this process, one interesting discussion emerged about whether hobbies and interests should be included on a CV when they add something valuable to your application.

The General Consensus

According to my research on websites like Jobseeker.com, including hobbies and interests on a CV can be quite helpful, especially if you don't have a lot of work history or educational background to fill it out. These sections can prevent your CV from looking sparse and give potential employers a better sense of who you are as a person. It adds a personal touch and can make your application more memorable.

The Potential Pitfalls

It's important to avoid mentioning activities that don't reflect well on your professionalism here. For example, writing about how you enjoy getting drunk with your mates in the Northern Quarter of Manchester every Saturday night or binge-watching Johnny Depp movies while eating pizza doesn't exactly scream "hire me." These hobbies, while fun, don't showcase the qualities or skills that employers are typically looking for in a candidate.

My Personal Experience

When discussing my CV with the editors, we discussed my hobbies and interests, which led to mixed feedback. My hobbies are more than just pastimes—they demonstrate a range of skills that are valuable in a professional context.

For instance, I co-run a monthly Spoken Word Open Mic night called ‘Speak Easy’. This role involves significant organization, from planning and publicity to managing the event's logistics and running the show. These responsibilities highlight my event planning skills, my ability to communicate effectively, and my leadership qualities.

In addition to ‘Speak Easy’, I also host a podcast called ‘Spoken Label’, which I started back in 2016. This was before podcasting became as popular as it is today's market. Over the years, I've recorded over 400 episodes, usually on a weekly basis.

Each episode requires thorough preparation, including researching the guest, structuring the interview, and handling post-production tasks such as editing and promotion. This hobby illustrates my project management abilities, my dedication, and my knack for engaging with people in meaningful, interesting conversations.

The Divergence in Opinions

One of the CV experts suggested that for specific roles, like a Legal Secretary, my hobbies might not be relevant and should be removed. They argued that employers for these positions are more interested in directly related skills and experiences.

However, I firmly believe that the skills demonstrated through my hobbies are indeed relevant. Being a legal secretary requires excellent listening skills, the ability to rearrange schedules efficiently, and managing last-minute changes—skills that I have honed through my involvement with ‘Speak Easy’ and ‘Spoken Label’.

Conclusion

Including hobbies and interests on your CV depends on the individual and can be a double-edged sword. It's crucial to carefully select which hobbies to include, ensuring they highlight transferable skills and qualities that are relevant to the job you're applying for. As demonstrated above, these skills can easily be applied in a professional setting, and including them on your CV can help you stand out as a well-rounded candidate.

In today's ever-evolving job market, done correctly, this can make the difference in landing the role you desire.