What hobbies you should and should not mention on your CV

As the traditional career advice goes, you usually shouldn’t include your hobbies on your résumé because they take up valuable space and waste the precious few seconds a recruiter spends skimming through your history.

But in some situations, they can actually add value to your résumé and help you stand out in a good way.

Here are Insider Health‘s 12 hobbies that are recommended for your CV if you pursue, as well as one you definitely shouldn’t inclue:

1. Yoga

Yoga demonstrates your ability to stay calm and in control. If you’re seeking a role in very busy, high-energy environment, like an advertising or PR agency, it can make you more attractive because you can better handle pressure.

2. Extreme adventure sports

Extreme sports like ultramarathons, racing mountain bikes, or skydiving can show potential employers that you’re comfortable pushing boundaries, you’re disciplined, you don’t fear the unknown, and you are a calculated risk-taker. These traits are desirable for any leadership role, especially in younger, growing organisations.

3. Video production

This can make you an appealing candidate for a role in production or event planning. Broadcasting and live streaming are often components of events or conferences, so your knowledge or interest in video production can be helpful in the job. It also shows that you are precise, highly detailed, and focused — all key to events positions.

4. Endurance sports

Competing in endurance sports like marathons, triathlons or cycling shows drive, tenacity and dedication. These qualities are desirable for business development, account management and sales roles, among other jobs, and may boost your candidacy in the hiring manager’s eye.

5. Captain of a team sport

Not only does playing a team sport like water polo, soccer, or volleyball help you look like a team player, but being a captain adds leadership ability to your list of skills.

Studies show that those who played competitive sports usually do very well in corporate environments.

6. Blogging

If you’re on the hunt for communications or marketing jobs, showing off your blogging skills can enhance your candidacy. Make sure your blog is current, your entries are well-written and mistake-free, and the topic is a positive reflection of your personal brand.

7. Mountain climbing

Including your passion for mountain climbing and, for example, that you’ve hiked major peaks in 10 countries, not only shows strong personality traits to potential employers, but it can also be helpful if you’re interested in roles in related industries.

8. Gardening

Passion for gardening can be good for potential employers to know when you’re seeking roles in sustainability and clean energy. You clearly care about nature and the environment, which can give you a leg up over other candidates.

9. Fantasy football

In certain fields, like venture capital and banking, it might be good to show that you’re a bit of a gambler.

10. Photography

Photography can be a valuable hobby to list if you’re looking for an account or creative director position at a digital marketing agency because it communicates creativity, positioning, and patience, all of which can be helpful in your target roles. If you have a current, well-curated website, be sure to direct potential employers there with a link to your site.

11. Playing an instrument

Aside from music-related careers, showing that you play classical guitar or violin can increase your attractiveness to potential employers when seeking roles that require laser focus, dedication, and discipline, like civil engineering.

12. Anything unusual (in a good way)

Whether you create your own perfume or practice jujitsu, hobbies that might lead to an interesting conversation may be worth including. Just be sure the conversation isn’t interesting for all the wrong reasons — exotic-animal hunters need not apply.

Don’t list reading as a hobby 

People who read a lot have some clear advantages — they tend to be smarter and more successful. But that doesn’t mean you should list “reading” as a hobby on your résumé.

For one thing, most people in the world know how to read, so it’s not a unique hobby. And while you may think noting that you are well-read shows you to be more thoughtful and knowledgeable than the next person, spending a lot of time reading could make you look like a loner.