Impress Employers with Your Hobbies as an Intern

Do you ever wonder about the “hobbies” section in resumes? Is it even relevant anymore? Before you dismiss it outright, hear us out! 

Here’s one story. Anjali was smitten with the art of making short films. She’d spend most of her free time working on creating cinematic masterpieces, all while working at a management consulting firm. Her passion and drive in her movies managed to catch the eye of stalwarts at film festival circuits earning her a few awards.  

It turns out, Anjali’s hobby wasn’t just a passionate gig—it helped hone her storytelling, editing, and cinematography skills. So much so, that in 2014, Vimeo came calling, offering her a job as Director of Marketing. Her knack for video production and marketing was undeniable, and she gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the CEO.  

Who knew that Anjali’s passion would be the golden ticket to her dream job? Her hobby was her secret weapon, giving her drive she needed to impress and inspire. 

Now, now you are probably start thinking, “Okay, that’s great for Anjali, but what about me?” Well, the point is, your hobbies might just be the secret ingredient that sets you apart from the pack!  

Your hobbies show employers that you’re passionate about something outside of work. It indicates that you have skills and interests that can translate to success at your job. Plus, it can make you way more interesting than all the other resumes that just list a bunch of job duties. 

So, let’s deep dive into some of ways your hobbies can help drive your career! 

Resume 101: Things to consider while putting down your hobbies in your resume 

When taking about hobbies in a professional context, consider this before creating an exhaustive list of all your interests. There are unspoken rules to consider while introducing your hobbies. They should accentuate your professional skills and highlight aspects of yourself that don’t come across in a normal resume. So, let’s go through some of these “rules”. 

‘Context’ is king 

When it comes to picking the right hobbies for your resume, you must think strategically. Choose hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job or industry you are applying for. It’s like putting on the right outfit for the right occasion—you want to look your best and show off your unique style, but you also don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons.

For example, here are some ways you could connect your hobbies with a relevant industry or job. 

1. Writing and blogging for a content creation job. 

2. Photography and videography for a media or creative position. 

3. Cooking and food blogging for a job in the hospitality industry.

Focus on things you’re passionate about 

Sometimes, less really is more! Rather than put down a long list of irrelevant hobbies, try to focus on the ones that showcase your skills or traits. It helps to show potential employers that you’re not just a jack of all trades, but the master of a few. It is better to showcase depth in a few interests rather than listing too many, which can come across as trivial or superficial.

Some examples of how you can put this to practice are: 

 1. If you list multiple languages as a hobby, then make it a point to practice regularly. You      don’t want to be stuck in a situation where your language skills are put to the test, and      you fail. 

2. If you list playing a musical instrument as a hobby, try to get formally certified, or             perform at local events. 

No clowning—keep it professional 

Avoid mentioning hobbies that could be seen as controversial or divisive, such as political or religious activities. Avoid these as they can offend or alienate your colleagues in a workplace and create unnecessary conflict. It’s important to keep your resume professional.

In fact, mentioning hobbies that are universally loved can really help. For example, hobbies like hiking, reading, or volunteering are a safe bet. In fact, they show potential employers that you’re well-rounded and have a passion for learning or helping others. These hobbies are also safe bets. They are unlikely to raise any eyebrows or create any uncomfortable situations during an interview. Some examples of non-controversial hobbies include: 

1. Hiking and camping 

2. Reading and writing fiction 

3. Cooking and baking
 

Flex your soft skills 

Hobbies and interests showcase your personality and soft skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and creativity. Highlighting how your hobbies have helped you develop these skills can make you stand out. You can’t do this is a resume, but you can work this into the interview conversation.

Here’s some examples of how to go about bringing out your soft skills are: 

1. Volunteer work for a non-profit organisation, shows you are building leadership and     communication skills.

2. Coaching a youth sports team, shows that you prioritise teamwork and have mentoring      skills.

3. Event planning and organisation can translate well into project management and                attention to detail, skills people are lucky to have.
 

Let your hobbies break the ice with recruiters

Let’s face it, interviews can sometimes be awkward and nerve-wracking. But did you know that your hobbies could be the key to making your interview a little less awkward? It’s true!

By including a unique hobby or interest in your resume, you give the interviewer something to hook onto. Maybe they share the same hobby or have always been interested in it. Plus, it’s a great way to be remembered by the interviewer, instead of being just another name on the list of candidates. Some are some ideas of interesting hobbies:  

 1. Collecting vintage records or art and discussing the history and significance behind them is a great asset in a humanities-related job 

2. Participating in a book club and discussing the themes and characters of the chosen         books can help you connect with colleagues 

3. Traveling to unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations and sharing your experiences   and insights is a great sign in creative roles 

Caution: Hobbies that can sink your Intern-SHIP  

While you want to showcase your best self and your quirks, there are a few pitfalls you should watch out for. Here are some key things that you should steer clear of including in your resume (even though we’ve covered some of them above): 

1. Avoid including hobbies that are controversial or divisive, such as political or religious activities. 

2. Don’t include hobbies that may be perceived as negative, such as excessive social media use or binge-watching TV shows. (It’s a bit childish, really!) 

3. Don’t include hobbies that are totally irrelevant to the internship or industry. 

4. Don’t include hobbies that may be seen as immature or unprofessional, such as playing video games excessively or partying too much.
 

Bottom Line 

Including your hobbies in your resume could be the secret ingredient. It can set you apart from other candidates and help draw the attention of potential employers.  

Your hobbies also showcase your skills, soft skills, and passions, and provide a starting point for a conversation with a recruiter. However, it is essential to choose the right hobbies that complement your profession. 

More importantly, avoid hobbies that paint a poor image of you. Keep in mind the rules discussed above to ensure that your hobbies and interests enhance your professional brand. Remember, your hobbies could be the key to land you your dream job!