The Harsh Truth About Your Resume's 'Hobbies' Section

Let's be real for a second. You've probably got a hobbies section on your resume because some template told you to, or because you thought it would make you seem more interesting. Here's the thing: most of the time, it's doing more harm than good.

We see hundreds of resumes come through our tool at NoBs Resume, and the hobbies section is almost always a mess. People list random things like "reading," "traveling," or "spending time with family." These aren't hobbies. They're things everyone does. And they tell a recruiter absolutely nothing useful.

What Recruiters Actually Think

Recruiters don't care if you like hiking. They care if the skills you picked up hiking are relevant to the job. Did you lead a group up a mountain? That's leadership. Did you plan the logistics for a multi-day trip? That's project management. But listing "hiking" alone is just noise.

I've talked to hiring managers who admit they skip the hobbies section entirely. They see it as filler. And if you're using space for filler while your actual experience is light on details, you're losing them.

When Hobbies Actually Work

But I'm not saying you should never include hobbies. There are specific situations where it helps:

• You're a recent graduate with limited work experience. A hobby that shows initiative, like organizing a community event, can demonstrate skills you don't have on your resume yet.
• The hobby is directly relevant to the job. If you're applying for a marketing role and you run a successful blog about vintage motorcycles, that shows content creation, audience building, and niche expertise.
• The hobby is unique and memorable. If you're into competitive cheese rolling, that might get a laugh and a conversation started. But use this sparingly.

What to Cut Right Now

Here's a list of hobbies you should delete immediately because they're either too generic or actively harmful:

• Reading, writing, watching movies (unless you've published something or are applying for a film job)
• Traveling (it's not a skill, it's a privilege)
• Cooking (unless you're applying to be a chef)
• "Spending time with family" (this is not a hobby, it's life)
• Volunteering (if it's not specific, like "Volunteer coordinator at local shelter," it's weak)

One pattern I notice from our users is that they include hobbies like "traveling" to sound well-rounded. I'm here to tell you: being well-rounded doesn't matter if you can't do the job. Recruiters hire for skills, not for someone who's been to 20 countries.

How to Use That Space Better

Instead of a generic hobbies list, consider these options:

• If your hobby involves a tangible outcome, reframe it as an achievement. Example: "Completed a 200-mile solo bike tour across the Rockies" shows perseverance and planning. That's more interesting than "cycling."
• Use the space for a "Professional Interests" section. List topics you're genuinely passionate about learning or industries you follow. This shows you're engaged with your field beyond your job.
• Simply leave it blank. Seriously. An empty space is better than a space filled with "reading." It forces recruiters to focus on your actual experience.

The bottom line here is straightforward: if your hobbies section doesn't prove something relevant, it's just clutter. Resume space is premium real estate. Don't waste it on things that make you look average. Make every word count, and if a hobby can't be turned into a selling point, cut it.

Want to build a resume that actually gets noticed? Try NoBs Resume and stop wasting time on filler.