Resume Advice

200+ Creative Hobbies and Interests to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Discover 175+ unique hobbies and interests that you can add to your resume to stand out from the competition. From sports to music to DIY, find something for everyone. Get ready to make an impact with your awesome resume!

(Updated: ) - 4 min read
Leila Le
Written by
As an Operations Lead, Leila oversees Simplify's blog & newsletter, reaching 100K job-seekers monthly, where she brings experience curating resources for candidates to help them land their dream job.

In today's competitive job market, standing out from the crowd requires more than just traditional qualifications. Employers are seeking candidates with a unique blend of skills, personality, and passion. That's where creative hobbies and interests come in. In this blog post, we've curated a list of over 175 creative hobbies and interests to inspire you and help you leave a lasting impression on potential employers!

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Unsure about your interests? Just keep scrolling for a list of hobbies to explore!

How to Incorporate Interests and Hobbies on Your Resume

When it comes to crafting an effective resume, most people tend to focus solely on their professional qualifications, work experience, and education. However, incorporating your interests and hobbies can be a valuable addition that sets you apart from other candidates. In this section, we will explore how you can effectively include your interests and hobbies on your resume to showcase your personality, skills, and well-roundedness.

Definition of Interests and Hobbies

Before diving into the details, let's clarify what we mean by interests and hobbies. Interests refer to activities or subjects that you find fascinating and enjoy exploring in your free time. They can range from reading, traveling, and volunteering to specific interests like astronomy, fashion, or technology. Hobbies, on the other hand, are activities that you actively engage in for pleasure or relaxation. They can include playing a musical instrument, painting, cooking, or participating in sports.

Benefits of Having Interests and Hobbies on Your Resume

  1. Showcasing Personality: Including your interests and hobbies on your resume provides a glimpse into your personality beyond your professional life. It helps potential employers see you as a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and passions.
  2. Highlighting Transferable Skills: Many hobbies and interests require specific skills that can be transferable to the workplace. For example, playing a musical instrument showcases discipline, focus, and the ability to learn and master complex tasks.
  3. Demonstrating Commitment and Dedication: Pursuing a hobby or interest over a significant period demonstrates your commitment, dedication, and ability to follow through on your passions. It indicates that you possess qualities like perseverance, discipline, and time management.
  4. Building Connections: Common interests or hobbies can serve as excellent conversation starters during interviews or networking events. They can help establish rapport and build connections with potential employers or colleagues.

Outdoor Activities

  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Cycling
  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Surfing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Stand-up Paddleboarding
  • Fishing
  • Birdwatching
  • Gardening
  • Photography
  • Tennis
  • Golfing
  • Soccer
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Baseball
  • Softball
  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Badminton
  • Frisbee
  • Archery
  • Horseback Riding
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Ice Skating
  • Rollerblading
  • Skateboarding
  • Parkour
  • Geocaching
  • Adventure Racing
  • Orienteering
  • Sailing
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Kiteboarding
  • Windsurfing
  • Rafting
  • Bungee Jumping
  • Paragliding
  • Skydiving
  • Ziplining
  • Mountaineering
  • Canyoning
  • Paintball
  • Outdoor Yoga

Indoor Activities

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Cooking
  • Baking
  • Playing musical instruments
  • Singing
  • Dancing
  • Watching movies
  • Playing board games
  • Puzzle solving
  • Knitting
  • Sewing
  • Pottery
  • Photography
  • Video gaming
  • Virtual reality gaming
  • Coding
  • Graphic design
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Indoor gardening
  • Collecting stamps
  • Collecting coins
  • Collecting antiques
  • Model building
  • DIY crafts
  • Origami
  • Scrapbooking
  • Calligraphy
  • Chess
  • Online learning
  • Interior design
  • Home decoration
  • Film or TV show binge-watching
  • Listening to podcasts
  • Playing chess
  • Playing card games
  • Jigsaw puzzles
  • Playing video games
  • Learning a new language
  • Writing poetry
  • Journaling
  • Virtual cooking classes
  • Virtual fitness classes
  • Virtual art classes
  • Board game nights with friends
  • Home workouts or exercise routines

Creative Activities

  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Sculpting
  • Pottery
  • Photography
  • Graphic design
  • Collage making
  • Origami
  • Calligraphy
  • Paper crafting
  • Jewelry making
  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Crocheting
  • Quilting
  • Woodworking
  • Candle making
  • Soap making
  • Flower arranging
  • Mosaic art
  • Printmaking
  • Glassblowing
  • Ceramics
  • Leatherworking
  • Embroidery
  • Beading
  • Puppet making
  • Comic book illustration
  • Digital art
  • Scrapbooking
  • Upcycling furniture
  • Creative writing
  • Poetry writing
  • Songwriting
  • Storytelling
  • Acting
  • Improvisation
  • Dance choreography
  • Theater set design
  • Film making
  • Animation
  • Music production
  • DJing
  • Performing magic tricks
  • Face painting
  • Body painting
  • Nail art
  • Cake decorating
  • Balloon twisting
  • Fashion design
  • Attending industry conferences
  • Participating in professional networking events
  • Joining relevant industry associations or organizations
  • Taking online courses or certifications to enhance skills
  • Attending workshops or seminars related to your field
  • Volunteering for career-related projects or events
  • Mentoring or coaching others in your field
  • Writing articles or blog posts on career-related topics
  • Participating in webinars or panel discussions
  • Conducting research in your industry
  • Participating in case competitions or hackathons
  • Organizing career fairs or job expos
  • Attending career development workshops
  • Serving as a guest speaker at industry events
  • Conducting informational interviews with professionals in your desired field
  • Participating in job shadowing opportunities
  • Joining professional mentoring programs
  • Serving as a career advisor or counselor
  • Developing a personal brand and online presence
  • Participating in industry-related forums or online communities
  • Creating a portfolio or website showcasing your work
  • Collaborating on industry-related projects or initiatives
  • Contributing to industry publications or journals
  • Serving as a subject matter expert in your field
  • Participating in industry research studies or surveys
  • Attending career expos or job fairs
  • Taking on leadership roles in professional associations
  • Hosting workshops or training sessions for industry professionals
  • Participating in industry-specific webinars or podcasts
  • Writing white papers or research reports in your field
  • Serving as a judge or evaluator for industry competitions
  • Conducting informational webinars or online workshops
  • Participating in cross-industry collaborations or partnerships
  • Serving on industry advisory boards or committees
  • Contributing to industry blogs or online publications
  • Presenting at industry conferences or symposiums
  • Organizing industry-related networking events
  • Participating in industry research projects
  • Joining professional mastermind groups
  • Serving as a mentor to aspiring professionals in your field
  • Developing industry-specific training programs
  • Participating in industry-focused job shadowing programs
  • Writing industry-related case studies or success stories
  • Serving on industry accreditation or certification boards
  • Conducting industry-related surveys or market research
  • Hosting industry-specific podcasts or webcasts
  • Contributing to industry-related policy discussions or forums
  • Participating in industry roundtable discussions
  • Serving on advisory panels for industry conferences
  • Contributing to industry-specific think tanks or research institutes

Landing Your Dream Job with Simplify!

Adding your interests and hobbies to your resume can truly set you apart from other candidates. It's not just about your professional qualifications; it's about showing who you are as a person! Whether it's outdoor adventures, indoor activities, creative pursuits, or career-related passions, they all reflect your well-rounded personality. Employers love to see commitment, transferable skills, and genuine enthusiasm in potential hires. So, don't be shy to let your hobbies shine on your resume – they might just be the key to landing your dream job!‌‌

Looking for some extra support in your job search? Simplify is a platform that can help you streamline the process. Our platform offers personalized job recommendations, autofilling features, and a centralized dashboard to help you stay organized and on top of your applications. Don't hesitate to join our community and see how we can help you land your dream job!

Looking for your dream job? Sign up on Simplify today and get matched with job opportunities that fit your skills and interests!