Including interests in your resume can add personality and cultural fit, but only when done strategically. Most Australian recruiters focus on skills and achievements first, but relevant interests can strengthen your application.
TL;DR: Interests in a resume matter only if they support your professional brand or company culture fit. With 99% of Australian employers using ATS, irrelevant hobbies won’t help you get past screening. Focus on strategic, recruiter-informed interests that complement your skills and role.
Why should you include interests in your resume?
Interests can humanise your resume and demonstrate cultural fit, teamwork, or leadership traits. They help hiring managers connect with you beyond qualifications, especially for leadership or client-facing roles.
From my experience helping over 6,000 Australian job seekers, relevant interests can create a positive Halo Effect. Melissa Peacock, a recruitment expert with 15 years’ experience, says: “If you are confident on paper, you have already won the hiring manager over. This is known as the Halo Effect.” Including meaningful interests can support this effect.
When do interests improve your chances?
Interests boost your resume when they align with the company culture or role requirements. For example, volunteering, professional associations, or sports that show leadership or teamwork skills.
Major Australian employers and recruiters often look for soft skills demonstrated through interests, especially in competitive SEEK job markets with 500+ applications per role. Including interests can differentiate you in the 10 applicants typically interviewed.
What interests should you include on your resume?
Include interests that highlight transferable skills, leadership, or cultural alignment. Avoid generic or controversial hobbies that add no value.
- Volunteer work or community involvement
- Professional memberships or industry-related groups
- Team sports showing collaboration and discipline
- Creative pursuits relevant to the role (e.g., design, writing)
Interests like “reading” or “watching movies” rarely add value and can appear filler.
How to include interests without hurting your ATS score
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan for keywords related to skills and qualifications. Interests rarely contain ATS keywords, so place them at the end of your resume in a small “Interests” section.
Keep this section concise, ideally 3 to 5 bullet points. This ensures ATS focus remains on your experience and skills while providing hiring managers with extra insight.
Should you include interests if you are applying for senior or executive roles?
Yes, but choose interests that reflect leadership, strategic thinking, or community engagement. At Board-level or Head of Department roles, interests that show networking, mentoring, or industry advocacy add credibility.
For example, memberships in professional bodies or leadership in charitable organisations can reinforce your personal brand and values.
How do interests compare to other resume sections?
Interests are less critical than your professional summary, skills, and achievements. However, they provide unique value by showing your personality and fit.
| Resume Section | Purpose | ATS Impact | Recruiter Value |
| Professional Summary | Summarises your skills and goals | High – keyword rich | Very high – first impression |
| Skills | Lists job-specific capabilities | High – critical for ATS | High – matches job requirements |
| Achievements | Demonstrates results and impact | Medium – context dependent | Very high – proof of performance |
| Interests | Show personality and culture fit | Low – minimal keyword relevance | Medium – supports Halo Effect if relevant |
How to decide if you should include interests on your resume?
Use this quick checklist to make a decision:
- Are your interests relevant to the role or company culture?
- Do they demonstrate soft skills like leadership or teamwork?
- Could they spark a positive conversation with the interviewer?
- Are they genuine and easy to discuss if asked?
- Will they differentiate you from other applicants?
If you answered yes to most, include them. If not, focus on strengthening your skills and achievements instead.
What is the best way to list interests on a resume?
Place interests in a small section at the bottom of your resume titled “Interests” or “Additional Interests.” Use bullet points for clarity and keep it brief.
Example:
- Volunteer coordinator for local community centre
- Member, Australian Marketing Institute
- Captain, Sydney Amateur Football Club
Common follow-up questions about interests in resumes
Can hobbies hurt your resume chances?
Yes, irrelevant or controversial hobbies can distract recruiters or create unconscious bias. Avoid political, religious, or divisive interests unless directly relevant.
Do Australian recruiters care about interests?
Recruiters focus on skills and experience first. Interests matter most when they add cultural fit or soft skills. They rarely sway ATS screening but can influence human reviewers.
Should cover letters mention interests?
Only if your interests directly relate to the role or company values. A matching cover letter improves interview chances by 40%, so use it to highlight interests that align with the job.
FAQs about including interests in resumes
Ready to improve your resume with strategic interests?
At The Perfect Resume, we help Australian professionals tailor resumes and cover letters that get results. With 99% of employers using ATS and SEEK roles receiving hundreds of applications, every detail counts.
Update your resume and cover letter today to include recruiter-informed interests and skills that boost your interview chances. Contact us for expert, ATS-optimised services that put you ahead in the hiring process.
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