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Important Information on Resume Hobbies Section
When building your resume, should a hobbies section be included? Many people are curious as to whether adding this information improves their chances of securing the job, or actually hurts them. Some people think nothing of it and automatically include this information on their resume. The question is, should you include a hobbies section on your resume? This article offers a few ideas that will help you decide if you should include it or not.
The topic is debatable
Some experts believe that you should never include hobbies on your resume. Others believe it should be included, but only if your hobbies are relevant to the position for which you are applying. While you should never make the hobbies section the main focus of your resume, it is primarily up to you whether you believe a particular hobby or pastime relates specifically to the position you are applying for, and increases your chances of securing the job in some way. Including those hobbies related to the job actually can help a prospective employer see you more in the light of a real person with interests and social skill sets. If information related to your hobbies looks impressive in a way that will enhance your abilities to perform the job, include it.
What to include on your resume in the hobbies section
If you do decide to include your hobbies and pastimes on your resume, don't include everything you enjoy doing. Employers are not interested in the fact that you love to cook and create new recipes, unless you are applying for the chef position. The hobbies that you choose to include should directly relate to the position in question. For example, you may be the coach of a softball team. This would demonstrate to an employer that you work well with groups, and possess leadership skills.
When applying for a position in a management or supervision capacity, it would be helpful to include any details that highlight your leadership abilities. This information could include if you are president or chairman of any clubs or organizations in your area. Demonstrate your organization skills, so that an employer understands that you are a leader who is capable of performing the job and improving the company in some way.
How much is too much?
When creating your resume, the hobbies section should be kept brief, and only include those hobbies that are related to the job. Do not include information that is irrelevant, and limit your hobbies to three. You do not want the hobbies section of your resume to overshadow the information that is most important, which is your employment history, education, skills and accomplishments.
In general, it is a good idea to keep the length of your resume to a single page. The hobbies section should be included at the bottom, but if it includes enough information to make it spill over to another page, skip it.
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