Hobbies and interests can show personality and relevant skills when used sparingly and thoughtfully. In most cases they are optional; when included, keep them brief and relevant.
When to Include Hobbies
Include hobbies when they are relevant to the role (e.g., writing for content roles, coding for tech) or when they show transferable skills (e.g., team sports for teamwork). For early-career or sparse resumes, a short line can round out the page. For senior or technical roles, they are often omitted.
What to List
List 2–4 hobbies or interests. Prefer ones that show skills or character: e.g., "Running marathons," "Volunteer tutoring," "Open-source contributions." Avoid controversial or purely personal topics. Keep the line short.
Examples
Interests: Running, volunteer tutoring, photography.
Hobbies: Open-source development, hiking, reading industry blogs.
What to Avoid
Do not list hobbies that could raise bias or seem unprofessional. Do not use a long paragraph. One short line is enough.