Matthew Warzel Featured in Another Career Addict Article!

Please check out this fantastic article by CareerAddict I was fortunate enough to be featured in as a contributor – 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗩

The hobbies and interests section is one of the most overlooked and underutilized CV sections — here’s how to make yours stand out.

‘Never, ever include hobbies and interests in your CV’ — that has been the golden rule for CV writing for decades now.

But it’s a very narrow-minded rule.

It doesn’t take into account the many situations when mentioning your hobbies and interests can actually add value to your application.

Of course, we’re not talking about things like long walks on the beach — your CV is not a dating profile, after all.

We’re talking about pastimes, activities and general interests that help you create a more rounded presentation of your skills and strengths and demonstrate your fit to the position you’re applying for.

So, how do you write about hobbies and interests on your CV?

From when to include this section in your CV to how to mention your hobbies and interests, this guide has you covered.

𝘔𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴?

✔️ Mentioning hobbies and interests on your CV isn’t always appropriate or necessary. If you’re applying for a C-suite role, for example, mentioning your interest in fashion would only hamper your application. Likewise, ‘if you’re trying to save space, drop these off your [CV]’ says Matthew Warzel, CPRW, a certified résumé writing expert and the president of MJW Careers. That said, there are several situations where listing hobbies and interests can add value to your CV, including when:

• You have limited work experience
• You have little educational experience
• You’re switching careers or are new to the industry
• They show your fitness with the company culture
• They align with the job’s duties and responsibilities
• You have extra room on your CV
• The employer specifically asks you to include your hobbies and interests
• The company is looking for candidates with unique traits and personalities

Warzel sums it up by saying: ‘The only instance I find them to be useful is if they either relate to the targeted role or are so unique [that they stop] readers in their tracks.’

While many experts argue against adding your hobbies and interests on your CV, it is one of the most overlooked and underutilized CV sections.

With some careful thought and planning, mentioning what you do in your downtime can help you stand out from the crowd and is, as Thomas notes, ‘a chance to [provide] a human element to your CV’.

Some key things to remember:

• Make sure it makes sense to mention your hobbies and interests
• Be strategic with the ones you choose to include
• Put them in a dedicated section at the end of your CV
• Use bullet points and brief descriptions
• Emphasize your transferable skills