As a recruiter, what do I think when I see hobbies and interests on an applicant's resume? I determine if it pertains to the job vacancy they applied for. Everything on the resume gives me a better picture of the applicant.
You have to weigh the pros and cons. If you deliver meals on wheels or volunteer at the local literacy center, those are natural choices to share that info. If you like to gamble every Saturday night at the casino, or attend drag races you might want to leave those out. (unless you are applying for a job at a casino or speedway, lol) So, bottom line is that listing hobbies and interests if they are outside of your career objective is not recommended, as it doesn’t promote you as a professional in any way.
There are two types of resumes: chronological and functional. A chronological resume lists your experience and education in order, starting with the most recent jobs or achievements. This type of resume is sometimes also referred to as reverse chronological resume, because the order of the listing starts with your current employment. A Functional resume focuses on your qualifications, not your career timeline. It highlights your skills, rather than where and when you acquired or utilize them. In other words, instead of listing your experiences by your job titles, your resume will contained sections titled by your skills such as verbal and written communication, customer satisfaction, project management, etc.
The functional resume style is recommended for students looking for internships or their first jobs out of college, for those with no professional experience, those who have not worked for a long time, or for career changers. This resume style lets you reference your hobbies and interests in a way that applies to your career objective.
Always, always keep in mind your career objective. You want to present yourself in a best possible light to your potential employer. So, the information on your resume absolutely has to answer one question: Why are you the best applicant for this job?
There are a few things to think about if you decide to include information that is not related to your professional experience. Facts pertaining to your volunteer positions, community work, interests and hobbies that might disclose your race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or any personal descriptors that do not directly impact your professional performance should definitely not be put on your resume. A functional styled resume does not require you to list names or organizations you have worked or volunteered for; so you can list the experience you have acquired without disclosing much demographic information. Caution,never create a separate page of your resume for hobbies and interests. That comes across as amateurish, and gives your resume less credibility. If in doubt, consider working them into your cover letter instead of the resume.
If you have taken online classes or completed seminars at local colleges or businesses that are applicable to your job, mention them. Any employer will welcome the knowledge that you have pursued the qualifications required, which makes you a perfect candidate for the job.
Last, but very important, proof read. Have a friend review your resume, or if you are a college student, ask for assistance from a career center at your school. Typos and non sequiturs are a turn-off for recruiters. Having another person review your resume will help uncover any items that may raise questions about your experience or education, as well as address if the inclusion of your hobbies and interests works to support your career objective. Perfecting your resume will assure that you show your recruiter that you are their absolutely best candidate for the job. If I had a quarter for every misspelled, oddly spaced, illogical or eligible resume that has passed the top of my desk in the last 20 years...
