Do you still put interests on your CV?

[Plinketyplonks]

I’m applying for a job for the first time in about a gazillion years. Dithering whether to still have a small line on interests at the end. If relevant, they are an adventurous sport (not skiing!) that I compete in internationally and a child-related therapy charity that I volunteer for every week. I’m interested in the benefits of that kind of therapy hence the volunteering.

So probably not the old going to the gym/seeing friends type of interests I might have put at 22!

How is a small interests section currently regarded by recruiters? Is it not a done thing now?

No, not these days, usually. You might mention them if you were doing a competency-based application and they demonstrated something you can't demonstrate via previous work.

Not unless they're relevant.

Dh once had a CV (computer consultant) that was very plausible except it contained 2 pages of their "achievements". He described it as including their swimming badges and that they'd played the recorder at 7yo for a year.
Tbf the person did get the job - they do get a few applications which don't really reflect the ability of the person so they are prepared to look beyond what they see on a CV.

Thanks. When I used to do a bit of recruitment I liked the section as it helped me remember the candidate! I still remember an interest someone put down - I’m learning to cook and taking great pleasure from it. I remember thinking, good for you! But I think I will remove them.

Presumably interests are ok on a teenager’s CV, when they don’t have much by way of experience to put on?

I wouldn’t have any interests relevant to a job nowadays, unless someone is recruiting someone to watch telly and eat biscuits.

I saw something a week or so ago where you aren't supposed to put your address on a CV ... apparently for privacy. 🙄

Oh I love to see a persons interests on their CV - gives them a bit of character!

Your CV will more than likely be scanned by AI initially, it's not going to care that you're a swimmer or whatever. Leave them off.

Why would a prospective employer need your address in 2026 though? They're not going to be sending you any letters.
If you got the job, your employer would probably need to have it on file. But they would ask you for it at that stage.

I still like to see this when recruiting. They can work as good icebreakers and make someone a bit more whole - even if it’s the gym that they like. I wouldn’t rule out a CV that didn’t have them though.

I recall, some years ago, it was suggested that you have a 'group' interest e.g. netball, as it showed 'teamwork', and an individual interest e.g. jigsaw puzzles of cats, as it showed you could work alone.

But to answer your question... I don't know. 😕

No idea what the norm is now.

I previously recruited and one man put his interests as 'Making home brew and hydroponics'. I did always wonder because I'm pretty sure he wasn't growing tomatoes! 😆

Has the hobby got any relevant transferable skills? If so, put it down and highlight them - e.g. secretary of the trampoline club - arrange national events and competitions, manage logistics, and work as part of the leadership team to deliver a positive user experience. That’s relevant. Doing the pub quiz with Dave on a Sunday is probably less so.

That said, I was talking to a recruitment consultant and he told me that when they recruited other recruiters they liked candidates who had taken part at a high level in a competitive sport because they wanted disciplined people with competitive drives. So I guess the answer is - yes, provided it’s relevant.

As a manager I don't see it that often anymore, but if I saw that you completed in a sport, volunteered, did something artistic on a CV I would be interested. I think it needs to show a level of perseverance, achievement or giving. I wouldn't be interested in what you do for fun. So, I play in a local orchestra would be good, I go to gigs on the weekend, doesn't show transferrable skills or character. I think your two are relevant!

I would definitely put the volunteering on and try and link it to a transferable skill relevant to the job description. I would only put on hobbies if it was some how linked to the job. E.G. I work in a outdoors job so I put down my interest in hiking.

I'd put the charity thing on, but only a side mention of the hobby, otherwise they will be thinking you'll want endless time off to compete, and if you get injured you could be off sick long-term. You don't want to put a reason to reject you in a cv.

I would also add any relevant volunteering or hobbies. It gives a broader picture of you as a candidate. But don’t do too much. A line or two at the end is fine.
Also many organisations don’t use AI and I read all applications. You do need your address on your cv. I receive a lot of applications from candidates based across the UK thinking they can do some of the roles I recruit to remotely. I would call and discuss this before inviting to interview for the roles which have to be in person. Occasionally someone is relocating but mostly people don’t look at the location of the job so they’re not shortlisted if they can’t physically attend.
And please write your covering letter yourself. An AI regurgitation of the job description can be spotted a mile off, especially when it’s totally different to the roles on your CV.

Not unless directly relevant to the job. Hiring managers will have biases and that will influence their decisions, consciously or unconsciously. That can work in your favour but could also lose you an interview.

No. I had to tell a friend to take off his cv that he enjoyed walking his dog (he had also included his dog’s name).

I would reposition your example as voluntary experience.

I think listing general interests is fairly unusual now, but I've definitely seen CVs with a volunteering section.

I'd include them if they involve transferrable skills (e.g. if you do the charity's accounts and want to work in finance, or you fundraise for your sport and want to work in fundraising).

I like to see them when I’m recruiting, as someone else said, it can be useful to encourage conversation.

Unlike everyone else, I do, but max 1 line right at the bottom. I'm usually interviewed by somewhat autistic men due to my field, so it gives everyone an easy ice breaker chat topic.

Bluntly I'd assume automatically you were a woman in her 50s or 60s. Not that we should be stereotyped but no other age group, or a man would do this! I'd use what I can in my transferable skills.

I agree that a single sentence at the end can add some interest for recruiters. By hobbies we’re bee-keeping and brass banding. It was always brought up at interviews and I got almost every job I went for.

I quite like them if it’s something unusual, and can be an ice breaker in an interview.
Wouldn’t be bothered if not on there though and wouldn’t include things like reading, walking my dog etc!

Thanks all. Interesting the answers are pretty split! I still think if I was a recruiter I would like to see them, if relevant as people say. Would help me remember candidates and perhaps for a little ice breaker in interviews!