This is a collaborative post.
A resume is an important document that you submit when searching for a job. Since your employer will go through it to decide whether they’ll invite you for an interview, you need to make a good first impression. And you can do this by writing a resume that stands out.
Studies have shown that it takes six to seven seconds for the average recruiter to go through a resume and consider whether it’s worth their time and energy.
A strong resume will increase your chances of landing your dream job. On the other hand, a weak resume will eliminate you from the process. A good resume will not only help you land your dream job but also increase your earning potential.
Hobbies can help you land your dream job
While some experienced recruiters urge job applicants to leave their hobbies off their resumes because potential hiring managers are focused on the skills and experience that they have to offer, it doesn’t always apply.
There are situations where adding your hobbies can increase your value and help you stand out. You should always include hobbies that are closely related to the job responsibilities.
Here are five hobbies that will make your resume stand out to future employers:
1. Speak or learn a second language
Knowing several languages can increase your value and make you more employable instantly. While some jobs require applicants to be multilingual, knowing or learning another language shows that you are a dedicated and passionate individual.
To learn a second language, you must have good communication skills. And this skill is essential in every field. Employers want to hire individuals who can communicate effectively with their colleagues and seniors to help the organization achieve its objectives.
If you don’t have time to write or go through your cover letter, you should seek help from resume services online to land your dream job.
2. Participating in physical activities or sport
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to promote your health and well-being. Plus, it can make your resume stand out.
Team sports help in showcasing a wide range of skills such as communication, teamwork, risk management, and tenacity. Not to mention that if you are the coach or captain, it can demonstrate that you have excellent leadership skills.
Individual sports are good for your resume too. Whether you cycle, play golf, swim, or run, these physical activities show self-motivation, commitment, and goal orientation.
When you are writing down the physical activities that you take part in, you can increase your chances of landing the job by including the number of years that you’ve engaged in various activities and your accomplishments.
3. Playing an instrument
Investing your time and energy in playing an instrument can be fun especially if you make your music or play in a band. It can be a good addition to your resume for a wide range of reasons.
It showcases creativity, discipline, attention to detail, and patience. It doesn’t matter which instrument you play as long as you are passionate and dedicated to playing it.
When you are writing your resume, ensure that you name all the instruments that you play, the level you are currently at, and your achievements. Include other important details such as the bands you’ve played with and concerts you’ve attended.
4. Creative writing
Do you always have a notebook or laptop around even when you aren’t working or studying? There are a lot of amazing ways to express your creativity thanks to rapid technological advancement.
You can write poems, articles, short stories, or blogs. Publishing them online and including their links on your resume can help you stand out.
To write effectively, you need to have other important skills such as research, organization, creativity, and adaptability. Creative writing demonstrates SEO, design, and marketing skills.
Therefore, it pays off to include the links to the pieces that you’ve published online or find professional cover letter writers to do the work for you. And providing details about the types of content that you love creating. Having an online portfolio will put you a step ahead of your competitors and help you land your dream job.
5. Cooking
If you love cooking, you shouldn’t hesitate to include it in your resume. Whether you love baking cakes or preparing delicious dishes for your loved ones, you can include baking or cooking in the hobbies section.
If you spend most of your free time making food for your loved ones, you are demonstrating that you have a set of amazing skills such as time management and creativity. It also shows that you follow instructions and pay attention to detail.
Conclusion
While the five hobbies that we’ve listed are ideal for you to include in your resume, you shouldn’t limit yourself. There are a lot of hobbies that you can include in your document to increase your chances of landing your dream job. Whatever you choose to include, ensure that it is related to the job description. What hobbies are you going to include in your resume to land your dream job?
