In resumes, applicants often list personal interests at the end. But is it beneficial to mention common hobbies such as traveling or reading? Experts reveal the impact of individual hobbies and what is better to keep quiet.
Viola Hoffmann-Scheurer has read countless resumes in her life. The HR consultant worked for years in the HR department of a French automotive company and now advises both companies and job seekers. "I once received 160 applications for one position," she says. That left only a few minutes to read each resume.
"As a recruiter, the first thing you check is whether the professional experience matches the position," she says. But in the next step, the applicant's personality also becomes interesting. And that's where hobbies and interests come into play.
Many applicants wonder whether they should include their hobbies in the structured resume. "They are being omitted more and more often," says Hoffmann-Scheurer. "And that's a shame." In a representative study conducted by the Ifo Institute in 2018, 47 percent of the surveyed recruiters stated that they consider hobbies important in the selection process.
"Hobbies in the resume are particularly meaningful when they foster qualities required for the position," says Sven Emmrich, application coach and founder of the Karrierehelden platform. If someone plays a difficult-to-learn musical instrument like the violin, it demonstrates a high level of frustration tolerance. And someone who engages in team sports like football demonstrates their ability to work in a team.
The Ifo study confirms this: Among university graduates, the surveyed recruiters rated team sports as a more relevant criterion for social skills than social engagement. The authors also explain that recruiters may assume that some applicants engage in social activities for strategic reasons, whereas involvement in a sport is often a long-standing commitment.
In the case of applicants for an apprenticeship, social engagement was rated more highly in the study. Having volunteer work in the resume increased the likelihood of being invited to a job interview for an apprenticeship by the same measure as having an academic qualification two grades higher.
Volunteer work in the resume: A positive impression, as does sports
Hoffmann-Scheurer, the HR consultant, also appreciates social engagement and the assumption of a voluntary position. Especially for executives, competitive sports are an interesting hobby. Regularly engaging in sports can convey mental strength and stress resilience.
In fact, executives often participate in endurance sports such as triathlon. They often train extensively and compete in races. However, Hoffmann-Scheurer says, "Not everyone has to be an elite athlete. There are also CEOs who find strength, for example, in gardening."
She once recommended a candidate who convincingly described how much she finds peace in her garden. "To make good decisions in the job, it is important to be able to relax well."
Studies confirm that hobbies can enhance job performance. A survey conducted by the University of San Francisco found that employees who pursue creative leisure activities can be up to 30 percent more productive. According to a study by the Techniker Krankenkasse, one's own hobby is also the most popular method of stress reduction among Germans, with 70 percent enjoying it.
However, there are hobbies that are better left unmentioned in the resume. "You should omit anything that could be socially questionable," says application coach Emmrich. For example, hobbies related to hunting may not be well-received by many recruiters. Emmrich advises trying to put oneself in the shoes of the recruiters.
"Even if you are proud of your hobby, you should ask yourself: How might it be perceived by the reader of the resume?" Emmrich also suggests exercising caution when mentioning political involvement, such as membership in a political party. After all, one doesn't know the political views of the recruiter. An exception, however, would be for professions in a political environment.
Hobbies in the resume: No more than three activities
Furthermore, Emmrich also advises against mentioning dangerous sports as they indicate a particularly high risk of injury. "This may raise concerns about longer periods of absence."
Applicants are often unsure whether they should mention their hobbies, even if they are very common and don't help them stand out from a stack of applications. Application coach Emmrich suggests mentioning them but providing specific details: "For example, it makes sense to not just write 'traveling' in the resume but to specify the countries or destinations."
Recruiter Hoffmann-Scheurer also supports including ordinary hobbies in the resume. However, she recommends not listing more than three activities in total to maintain credibility. The key is to remain authentic.
"If 'reading' is mentioned as a hobby in the resume, recruiters often ask about the last book that the person enjoyed," she says. If the applicant struggles to provide an answer, it undermines their credibility.
"Hobbies also serve as a good topic to create a more relaxed atmosphere during the interview," she adds. Therefore, she personally likes to discuss hobbies during the job interview, sometimes even starting with the first question for highly tense candidates.