Personal Interests on Resumes: Love Them or Ditch Them?
As the job market evolves, so does the approach to crafting the perfect resume. One trend gaining traction is the inclusion of personal interests. Candidates increasingly want to appear more relatable and multi-dimensional. To better understand perceptions on this, Spirit Consulting recently conducted a LinkedIn poll. The results? A clear majority advocated for maintaining a strictly professional resume, though there are some exceptions, particularly in creative fields. Here’s our perspective on this trend and some advice on when personal interests can add value.
Poll Findings: Professionalism Prevails
Our poll, aimed at hiring professionals and job seekers, revealed that 70% of total respondents - via LinkedIn and email - favor keeping resumes strictly professional. The overwhelming feedback was that a resume should focus solely on qualifications, experience, and skills, without the addition of personal hobbies or interests. However, 29% of LinkedIn respondents believe personal interests add value and personality.
Why the Professionalism-First Approach?
A resume is, at its core, a professional document intended to quickly and efficiently convey a candidate’s capabilities for a specific role. For recruiters and hiring managers, a resume with personal interests can sometimes dilute the focus on the essential qualifications. In traditional industries—such as finance, law, and corporate roles—personal interests are often deemed extraneous, as the hiring focus is typically on skills and achievements that demonstrate a candidate’s technical fit.
Exceptions: When Personal Interests May Add Value
While the consensus in Spirit Consulting’s poll leaned towards professionalism, there are situations where personal interests can meaningfully enhance a resume. This is particularly true in creative fields, such as entertainment, media, and lifestyle brands. For instance, a candidate applying to a film studio or a lifestyle magazine might benefit from including personal interests that reflect the brand’s aesthetic or values, making their application feel more culturally aligned with the company.
Practical Guidance: Tailor Your Resume for Each Role
To ensure that personal interests on your resume work to your advantage, it’s important to consider both the industry and specific role. Here are some key points from Spirit Consulting to keep in mind:
Align with Industry Standards: For most traditional roles, it’s best to keep the focus on professional experience. But if you’re applying to a creative company, a hint of your personality through select interests could be beneficial.
Make It Relevant: Only include interests that enhance your narrative as a candidate. For example, if the role values creativity, adding a hobby like photography or design can show alignment with the job’s expectations.
Use Sparingly: Avoid overloading your resume with personal details. If you choose to include an interest, keep it brief and relevant to the job.
Consider the Company Culture: Some companies value individuality and diverse perspectives, while others are strictly professional. Tailoring your resume to the company’s culture can make a stronger impact.
What We Recommend
Including personal interests on a resume can be a nuanced decision, and the general recommendation from our Spirit Consulting poll and expertise is to focus on professionalism. However, in certain fields and roles, personal interests can help convey qualities that make you an ideal cultural fit. Ultimately, it’s about carefully evaluating when a personal touch might help convey your suitability and when it’s best to stick with the traditional approach.