A hobbies and interests section is optional. Used well, it can show qualities that are hard to prove elsewhere — leadership, commitment, creativity — and give an interviewer an easy conversation starter. Used badly, it fills space with generic words like "reading" and "travelling".
When to include hobbies
Include them if…
- You are a student or graduate with limited experience
- They show skills relevant to the job
- You have achievements in them (captain, organiser, competitor)
- The employer values culture fit (start-ups, creative roles)
Skip them if…
- Your CV is already two full pages
- They are generic ("watching movies", "socialising")
- They could be controversial or divisive
- You would struggle to discuss them in an interview
How to write interests that add value
Be specific and, where possible, add evidence. One line each is enough.
Specific
- Cricket — vice-captain of a weekend league team; organise fixtures and fundraising.
- Photography — run an Instagram account with 6,000 followers focused on street photography.
- Coding — build small automation tools in Python; two projects published on GitHub.
- Volunteering — monthly food-bank shifts and coordination of seasonal donation drives.
Generic
- Sports
- Photography
- Computers
- Helping people
Put this into practice
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Interests that suggest useful skills
| Interest | Skills it can suggest |
|---|---|
| Team sports | Teamwork, discipline, leadership |
| Running, cycling, endurance events | Goal setting, resilience |
| Writing, blogging | Communication, research, consistency |
| Chess, strategy games | Analytical thinking, planning |
| Music, art, design | Creativity, practice, attention to detail |
| Languages | Cultural awareness, communication |
| Volunteering | Empathy, organisation, community involvement |
Where to put the section
Place interests at the end of your CV, after skills and certifications, under a heading such as "Interests" or "Activities and Interests". Keep it to two to four items. For guidance on what else to include, see how to write a CV and the CV format guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do recruiters actually read hobbies?+
Some do, especially for graduate and early-career roles. They are often used as conversation starters in interviews.
Should I mention gaming as a hobby?+
Only if you can link it to something relevant — for example, competitive team play, streaming, community moderation or game development.
BuildCVFast Editorial Team
This guide is written and reviewed by the BuildCVFast editorial team using current hiring practices, published employer guidance and official government sources where relevant. We update our guides regularly. Read our editorial policy or send us a correction.