Hobbies That Can Secretly Get You Hired
When you’re searching for a job, everyone always talks about having the perfect resume, acing interviews, and networking. However, there is one thing that tends to get overlooked—your hobbies. Yep, the things you do on the weekends when you’re just hanging out could be your key to getting a job.
Employers aren’t just looking for qualifications and experience—they’re looking for people. Real humans with personality, passion, and potential. And hobbies, when presented the right way, can give employers insight into who you are beyond your professional persona. In some cases, they can even tip the scale in your favor.
1. Blogging or Content Creation
If you have a personal blog, YouTube channel, or social media handle where you regularly post content, that tells a lot about you. It reflects initiative, creativity, communication skills, and the capacity to maintain something in the long run. Even if your blog is travel, fashion, or video games, the fact that you can communicate ideas clearly and engage an audience is a massive asset.
Jobs it can help you land:
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Content Writing
- Social Media Management
- Communications
How to describe it: Mention your audience size, how frequently you post, any interesting collaborations, or engagement metrics (e.g., “I built my Instagram page from 500 to 5,000 followers organically in less than a year”).
2. Gaming
Those days of gaming being labeled as a lazy activity are long gone. Contemporary employers—particularly in the technology, design, and digital sectors—value gaming, especially for the strategic thinking, hand-eye coordination, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities it develops.
Jobs it can lead to:
- Game Development
- IT or Cybersecurity
- UX/UI Design
- Project Management
- Esports-related professions
How to frame it: Highlight strategic skills—winning tournaments, team leadership, or creating content around gaming. For instance: “Organized and managed an online gaming community with 1,000+ members, resolving conflicts and organizing team tournaments.”
3. Volunteering
Volunteering is usually regarded as a “nice-to-have,” but actually it says a great deal about your values and soft skills. Whether it’s coordinating events, mentoring, or working at animal shelters, it shows leadership, empathy, and initiative.
Jobs it can help you get:
- Nonprofits
- HR
- Education
- Healthcare
- Community Outreach
How to present it: Mention your responsibilities and accomplishments—“Managed logistics for a fundraising event that raised over $10,000,” or “Mentored underprivileged teens in coding basics.”
4. Playing a Musical Instrument
Music is a language of discipline, patience, and pattern recognition. Playing an instrument shows you can commit to long-term skill development, handle pressure (hello, recitals!), and pay attention to detail.
Jobs it can help you get:
- Any profession that involves attention to detail
- Creative arts
- Event management
- Teaching
- Sound engineering
How to phrase it: You can say, “Have been playing piano for 8 years and performed in several public events,” or “Compose and produce original music with over 20,000 plays on Spotify.”
5. Team Sports
No matter if it’s basketball, soccer, or ultimate frisbee, team sports demonstrate you’re a team player (literally). They develop resilience, leadership, and working together towards a common goal—all in high-energy demand in the workplace.
Jobs it can lead to:
- Sales
- Management
- Operations
- Customer Service
- Any team environment
How to showcase it: Highlight leadership positions, e.g., “Captain of amateur league team for 3 years,” or examples of managing team strategy or conflict resolution.
6. Journaling or Creative Writing
If you enjoy writing poetry, journaling your thoughts, or writing stories, that pastime says a lot about your communication skills, emotional intelligence, and introspection. This can be an excellent asset in careers that demand communication or empathy.
Jobs it can lead to:
- Content Strategy
- Counseling
- Education
- Publishing
- Copywriting
How to phrase it: “I have written more than 100 short stories and maintain a personal blog with a regular following,” or “Daily journaling for the last 5 years has enhanced my self-reflection and ability to communicate.”
7. Photography and Videography
Photography and videography capture moments in a lens, which demonstrate creativity, technical competence, and keen visual storytelling skills. This is particularly beneficial for jobs that depend on branding, visual appeal, or digital media.
Jobs it can assist you in getting:
- Graphic Design
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Journalism
- Event Management
How to showcase it: Emphasize any gigs or projects, e.g., “Freelance photographer with experience shooting weddings and corporate events; built a portfolio to over 50 clients.”
8. Cooking or Baking
Cooking does not relate to most jobs, but it tells a great deal about stress management, creativity, following procedure, and even time management. Dinner parties or food blogging? That’s leadership and content generation in one package.
Jobs that it can get you:
- Hospitality
- Event Coordination
- Product Development
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Customer Experience
How to describe it: “Operated a small-scale catering business for local events,” or “Created a baking page that gets 10,000 monthly views.”
9. Learning Languages
If you like learning new languages, that’s a clear indicator of cultural intelligence, determination, and communication skills. It also provides opportunities for global companies or multicultural workspaces.
Jobs it can lead you to:
- International Business
- Translation/Localization
- Tourism
- Teaching
- Customer Support
How to describe it: “Fluent in Spanish and learning Japanese on a daily basis with tutoring,” or “Translated for a local immigrant advocacy group on a volunteer basis.”
10. DIY Crafts or Woodworking
Whether woodworking, knitting, or repurposing furniture, these activities demonstrate your capacity for problem-solving, following intricate instructions, and actualizing ideas. And they demonstrate patience and imagination.
Jobs it can lead you to:
- Product Design
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Retail or Merchandising
How to say it: “Made and constructed unique furniture for my house out of sustainable materials,” or “Created handmade products on Etsy with 5-star review.”
11. Public Speaking or Theater
If you act in plays or are in debate club or Toastmasters, that is a big plus for confidence, communication, and thinking on one’s feet. Most people don’t like to speak publicly—so if you love it, you’re at an advantage.
Jobs it can assist you in obtaining:
- Sales
- Legal
- Education
- Broadcasting
- Leadership positions
How to frame it: “Worked in more than 15 community theater productions,” or “Regular speaker at Toastmasters events, specializing in persuasive storytelling.”
12. Traveling
Traveling is not all about the Instagram photo opportunities—it develops adaptability, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Long-term travelers particularly learn how to work in ambiguity and uncertainty.
Jobs it can assist you in obtaining:
- Travel and Tourism
- Remote Work Positions
- International Relations
- Consulting
- Culture-Focused Organizations
How to present it: “Traveled to more than 20 countries, frequently working remotely while adjusting to various cultures,” or “Maintained a travel blog chronicling cross-cultural encounters and everyday challenges.”
Not every hobby is suitable for a resume, but when matched to your desired position, they can bring depth and authenticity. Here’s how to get your hobbies to pay off:
- Be strategic: Select hobbies that showcase transferable skills or fit with company culture.
- Quantify impact: Use numbers, accomplishments, or growth whenever possible.
- Tell the story: Use your cover letter or interview to explain what your hobby taught you and how it relates to the job.
- Be authentic: Don’t make up hobbies you don’t like. It’s not about wowing, it’s about being remembered.
In a tight job market, your interests may be the surprise advantage that stands out to get you hired. Don’t be shy, then, about revealing the flesh-and-blood person behind the resume—you may discover that what you love turns into what you do.
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