120 Hobbies & interests for your CV: Showcase your personality (UK)

Including hobbies and interests on your CV can often be viewed as a bad idea. Many people think this information takes up valuable space on your CV and is irrelevant to your career.

That said, there are actually some solid reasons to include hobbies and interests on your CV, particularly if you lack work experience. The key is selecting the activities that will genuinely enhance your CV and add value to your application.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about adding hobbies and interests to your CV, including the pros and cons, expert tips, and 120 examples to give you some inspiration.

Keen to get started? Jump straight to our list of hobbies and interests examples.

Where to put hobbies and interests on a CV

Hobbies and interests can provide a glimpse into your personality and help you connect with a hiring manager, but they don’t fall into the category of essential information on your CV. Most employers will be focused on whether your work experience and skills will be a good fit for their company. 

If you have a significant work history, this information is more important and should take priority on your CV. In that case, it’s best to place your “Hobbies and Interests” section toward the end of your CV, following your education section. 

Here’s an example of how this could look:

Why list hobbies and interests on a CV

Your CV is largely focused on your qualifications and professional experience, which can often make it a pretty dry and formal document that also doesn’t allow for a lack of work experience. One way you can address both of these issues is by including an engaging hobbies and interests section.

Here are some reasons why adding hobbies and interests for your CV is a good idea:

• Demonstrate relevant hard and soft skills. Activities outside of work can develop both hard skills (such as technical proficiency, project management, or data analysis) and soft skills (like communication, teamwork, or time management), all of which can add additional context to your CV. This is especially useful if you do lack work experience.
• Stand out from the crowd. Including hobbies and interests makes your CV more memorable and distinctive, especially in competitive fields where many candidates have similar qualifications. This could be the deciding factor that lands you an interview.
• Show your culture fit. Sharing hobbies that align with the company’s values or culture can indicate that you'll be a good cultural fit, making you a more attractive candidate.
• Provide talking points for interviews. Hobbies and interests can be great conversation starters, allowing you to showcase your interests and engage with the interviewer on a more personal level to build rapport.

120 Examples of hobbies and interests for your CV

So, which hobbies and interests will impress a hiring manager? Here are 120 examples that will allow you to demonstrate in-demand skills and a sense of personality:

Sports and fitness

Including sports on your CV can demonstrate valuable skills like teamwork, resilience, adaptability, discipline, and leadership.

1. Football
2. Rugby
3. Cricket
4. Tennis
5. Swimming
6. Basketball
7. Yoga
8. Netball
9. Weightlifting
10. Martial Arts

Outdoor pursuits

Aside from enjoying fun activities in the great outdoors, you can also show off your creativity, determination, and sound judgement by mentioning these on your CV.

1. Hiking
2. Rock Climbing
3. Kayaking
4. Mountain Biking
5. Sailing
6. Orienteering
7. Fishing
8. Camping
9. Cross Country Running
10. Surfing

Music and performance

Whether you're performing on stage, producing films, or learning an instrument, music and the performing arts can demonstrate your creativity, commitment, and strong work ethic.

1. Playing a musical instrument
2. Joining a band or orchestra
3. Singing
4. Songwriting
5. Dance
6. DJing
7. Music production
8. Music history research
9. Acting
10. Stand-up comedy
11. Improvisation
12. Musical theatre
13. Storytelling
14. Film production
15. Video editing

Volunteer work

Taking time out of your busy schedule to give back to others says a lot about your values. Let your volunteer work speak for itself on your CV.

1. Charity fundraising
2. Community events
3. Environmental work
4. Youth work
5. Coaching/mentoring
6. Event management for nonprofits
7. Homeless outreach
8. Healthcare volunteering
9. Disaster relief
10. Advocacy workshops

Artistic activities

Hiring managers are looking for imaginative people who have an eye for detail. What better way to show your creative outlook than by sharing artistic hobbies and interests on your CV.

1. Painting/drawing
2. Animation
3. Photography
4. Design
5. Sculpture
6. Mixed media art
7. Graphic design
8. Textile design
9. Woodworking
10. Furniture restoration
11. Calligraphy
12. Origami
13. Knitting
14. Jewelry making
15. Model building

Writing

Almost every job requires strong writing skills, so it can be helpful to highlight your passion for the written word with these hobbies and interests for your CV.

1. Blogging
2. Journaling
3. Poetry
4. Fiction writing
5. Journalism
6. Playwriting
7. Screenwriting
8. Copywriting
9. Content editing
10. Book reviewing

Technology

Technology is constantly evolving, making it essential to stay up-to-date, especially as it relates to your industry. These CV hobbies and interests show that you’re tech-savvy in your spare time.

1. Coding/programming
2. Web development
3. Artificial intelligence (AI)
4. Data analytics
5. Digital marketing tools
6. Game development
7. Robotics
8. Cybersecurity
9. Cryptocurrency analysis
10. 3D printing

Social media

In today’s job market, social media skills and interests are essential to highlight, as businesses increasingly rely on digital platforms to engage with audiences, build brands, and drive growth.

1. Content creation
2. Social media management
3. Vlogging
4. Podcasting
5. Influencer marketing
6. Live streaming
7. Photography for social media
8. Graphic design for social media
9. Social media analytics
10. Search engine optimisation (SEO)

Food and drink

Fancy yourself a foodie? Whether your target career is food-related or not, these CV hobbies and interests can show your creativity and attention to the finer details.

1. Baking
2. Cookery
3. Food blogging
4. Mixology
5. Coffee brewing
6. Tea tasting
7. Vegan cooking
8. Cheese tasting and pairing
9. Exploring cuisines
10. Pickling or fermenting

Intellectual interests

Demonstrate your problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and proactive mindset by sharing these intellectually challenging activities on your CV.

1. Foreign languages
2. Reading clubs
3. Chess
4. Philosophy
5. Historical research
6. Public speaking
7. Debating
8. Astronomy
9. Genealogy
10. Strategy games

Miscellaneous

Sometimes a hobby or interest might not fit neatly into a box, but can still impress on a CV in the right context.

1. Mindfulness
2. Meditation
3. Urban exploration
4. Traveling
5. Birdwatching
6. Beekeeping
7. Gardening
8. Sewing
9. Survival skills
10. Hackathons

How to pick the right hobbies and interests for a CV

Choosing the right hobbies and interests for your CV can be tricky with so many options out there. The best approach is to consider your target job and the skills and experience that are required to excel in this role or industry. That way, you can include specific hobbies or interests that the role will benefit from or pursue in the future.

You’ll also want to keep your CV hobbies and interests section brief. While it can be tempting to include a long list of activities, this section should be short and sweet. The goal is to spark the hiring manager’s interest with a selection of recent and relevant activities to show your talents, without detracting from your core skills and experience.

Aligning your CV hobbies and interests with the job opening and prospective employer can make a great first impression. Below are a few examples of this in action:

Estate agent hobbies and interests

Estate agents are talented communicators, who often need to convey the potential of a rundown property to become a dream home. Hobbies and interests in DIY, interior design, artistic endeavours, and communication skills can reinforce these capabilities.

Education (Teacher) hobbies and interests

Talented educators have strong communication skills, creativity, and are always looking for ways to enrich their knowledge and experience. Outlining hobbies that chime with these goals will make your teacher CV more appealing to prospective schools.

Engineering (Electrical engineer) hobbies and interests

Budding engineers should include hobbies and interests that demonstrate problem-solving skills, creativity, and a keen interest in technology.

Retail (Shop assistant) hobbies and interests

Retail employers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate good customer service skills, a team-focused approach, and a strong work ethic. The above hobbies and interests can show your ability to engage with customers and be a team player.

Legal (Lawyer) hobbies and interests

Lawyers must be confident speakers and debaters, skilled at writing thorough and persuasive legal briefs, negotiating deals, and utilising critical and strategic thinking. These hobbies demonstrate your ability to excel in these areas.

When NOT to list hobbies or interests in your CV

When considering whether or not to include specific hobbies or interests in your CV, the acid test question to ask yourself is, “Does this hobby or interest benefit the job that I am applying for?” 

This will often be a clear “yes” or “no” answer, but there are some grey areas to consider:

• Generic activities. Socialising with friends, binge-watching Netflix shows, and shopping may be activities you enjoy, but they’re unlikely to enhance your application.
• Extreme activities. Risky activities, such as street racing or BASE jumping, can show your adventurous side, but could also raise a red flag for recruiters and negatively impact your candidacy.
• Political or religious topics. Avoid listing hobbies related to political, religious, or social causes that could alienate potential employers.

CV hobbies and interests FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions on including hobbies and interests on your CV:

What is the difference between hobbies and interests?

Hobbies and interests are subtly different: 

• Hobbies are activities that you do regularly for enjoyment or skill development, like playing sports or painting.
• Interests are things that you’re passionate or curious about, but you may not regularly participate in, such as reading about a specific topic or keeping up with tech trends.

Both give insight into what drives you outside of work.

How many hobbies or interests should you add to your CV?

Include around two to five hobbies or interests. 

This keeps the section concise while still offering a glimpse into your personality. Choose ones that are relevant to the role or show transferable skills, but avoid listing too many to keep your CV focused and professional.

What are the most popular hobbies and interests to list?

This will depend on your target role and industry. For example, if you’re targeting a tech role, you may want to highlight your skills in AI, coding, and programming. The job description is a great guide that you can use to identify the skills an employer is looking for, and then align them with your relevant hobbies and interests.