Should You List Hobbies & Personal Projects on Your Resume?

Ever wondered if your love for painting or that construction project you’ve been working on should make it to your resume?

It’s a common dilemma for job seekers who want to showcase their unique skills and passions beyond the standard work experience and education sections. While some might think these personal touches are just unnecessary fluff, they can actually give employers a glimpse into your skills, personality, and what makes you stand out.

But is it always a good idea to list your hobbies and personal projects? The answer isn’t black and white. In this article, we’ll explore when it’s appropriate to share these aspects of your life, how they can set you apart, and the potential pitfalls. Whether you're an established professional or just starting out in your career, understanding when to include these elements can make all the difference in landing your dream job.

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What’s the difference between hobbies and personal projects?

Both can help you cultivate a well-rounded skill set, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and stand out in the job market, but there are a few distinctions.

Hobbies are activities you engage in somewhat regularly for enjoyment and relaxation, such as playing a musical instrument, painting, hiking, knitting, or playing a sport. Many hobbies help develop skills that are useful in the workplace. For example, hobbies that involve planning and completing projects, such as DIY home improvement or organizing community events, can enhance your project management abilities. Whereas learning a new skill like a language or taking up coding shows a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Personal projects, on the other hand, are specific initiatives you pursue outside of work, such as writing a book, developing an app, conducting independent research, or starting a small business. These projects are usually goal-oriented and can highlight your initiative, creativity, and ability to manage and complete tasks independently.

Overall, hobbies usually speak to your personality and soft skills, and personal projects speak to your initiative, technical skills, and commitment. Both can provide unique conversation starters during interviews.

Can listing hobbies and personal projects on your resume boost your chances of getting an interview?

Sometimes, yes, sometimes, no. Listing these elements on your resume depends on how relevant they are to the job you’re applying to.

Resume writer and career coach Tazeen Raza says if your hobbies or personal projects are directly related to the job you're applying for, they can strengthen your application. In general, it’s most common to list hobbies and personal projects when you’re applying to creative jobs. For example, mentioning a photography project when applying for a graphic design role can demonstrate your eye for composition and visual storytelling. However, if you're applying for a position outside of the creative industry, mentioning a hobby like playing a recreational sport, for example, can still highlight relevant skills like teamwork and leadership.

But if your hobbies aren't directly relevant to the job, is it better to leave them out? Raza says yes. She typically discourages clients from including more broad hobbies and passion projects because they can detract from the professional focus of your qualifications. “Unless a hobby is directly relevant to the position or demonstrates a specific skill set beneficial to the role, it can appear unprofessional or irrelevant,” she says.

Here are other situations where it’s beneficial to include hobbies and personal projects:

• You’re a recent graduate: If you have minimal professional experience, listing hobbies, projects, and coursework can reveal your accomplishments, skills, and personality.

• You’re making a career change: Hobbies can highlight transferable skills and interests that align with your new career path.

• You have an employment gap: Including hobbies can help explain how you've stayed productive and engaged during periods of unemployment or soul-searching.

• You have a personal brand: When your hobbies contribute to your personal brand and professional career narrative, they can reinforce your unique value proposition.

An example of how to list hobbies and personal projects on your resume

When listing hobbies and personal projects on your resume, keep the sections brief and professional. You can include them at the end of your resume under a separate section, such as "hobbies and personal projects" or "additional information." Always include any positive outcomes from your roles and quantity your success when you can.

Here's a sample format:

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What are the potential pitfalls of including hobbies and personal projects on your resume?

If your resume is already packed with recent and relevant job experience, skills, and awards and accomplishments, you don’t need to create space for a hobbies section. It's more important to focus on the straightforward qualifications for the job because in some cases, mentioning certain hobbies or projects might unintentionally reveal personal preferences or affiliations that could lead to unconscious bias or discrimination. For example, listing a political activism hobby might negatively impact an employer's perception of you if they see your involvement as a mismatch with their company’s culture.

If your hobbies reflect particular cultural or social affiliations that don’t align with the hiring manager's own personal preferences, your chances of landing an interview can be affected. This is because of “culture fit,” the phenomenon where hiring managers prioritize hiring people who’ll fit in with their team and pre-existing culture. When taken to an extreme, hiring for culture fit can become a form of discrimination by potentially excluding qualified individuals who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table.

Plus, “All resumes go through applicant tracking systems (ATS), and hobbies are not one of the categories that these systems parse for relevance,” says Raza. “Keeping your resume concise and tailored to the job ensures that your most pertinent qualifications are highlighted, making a stronger impression on potential employers.”

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What other sections should you include on your resume?

A well-rounded resume typically includes several key sections to provide a comprehensive view of your qualifications and experience. Always tailor your resume to the specific job and employer, and when in doubt, focus on the most relevant and impactful information. 

1. Contact information

• Name

• Phone number

• Email address

• LinkedIn profile or other professional social media links (optional)

2. A professional summary or objective

A brief statement summarizing your career goals, key skills, and what you bring to the role. This section should always be tailored to each job application.

3. Skills

A list of relevant skills that align with the job description. Include both hard skills (e.g. software proficiency and knowledge of project management tools) and soft skills (e.g. conflict resolution and time management).

4. Experience

• Job title

• Company name

• Location (city, state)

• Dates of employment

• Key responsibilities and achievements

5. Education

• Degree

• Institution name

• Graduation date (or expected graduation date)

• Certifications and licenses