Including Skills and Interests on Your Resume

Everyone · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What are resume skills and interests in plain words?

Resume skills are specific abilities or knowledge you have developed that allow you to perform tasks related to a job. These can be technical skills like “Microsoft Excel,” or soft skills such as “time management” or “team collaboration.” Interests are activities or hobbies you pursue outside of work that reveal your personality, values, or strengths. For example, if you enjoy hiking and outdoor activities, it might suggest you’re adventurous and disciplined. Together, these sections give employers a fuller picture of who you are, both professionally and personally, beyond just your work history.

Skills focus on what you can do, while interests hint at your character or what motivates you. Including both helps you stand out, especially when you don’t have extensive professional experience. For example, a high school student applying for their first job might list computer programming as a skill and robotics club participation as an interest, showing both ability and enthusiasm. This approach builds a richer resume that appeals to employers looking for well-rounded candidates.

How do skills and interests sections work on a resume?

The skills and interests sections act as quick-reference points for hiring managers. Since recruiters often spend just seconds reviewing each resume, these sections convey your qualifications and personality at a glance. Skills are usually presented as a bulleted list under a clear heading such as “Skills” or “Core Competencies.” Interests are often listed separately, either as a brief list or short sentence under “Interests” or “Activities.”

For example, if you’re applying for an administrative assistant role, your skills section could include:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication

Your interests section might say:

• Volunteer at local food bank
• Member of community book club
• Yoga and meditation practice

This layout helps hiring managers quickly see the tools you can bring to the job and get a sense of your personality or values. It supports your application by connecting skills and interests relevant to the company culture or job requirements. This is especially important when your experience section is brief or when applying for roles that value cultural fit.

Why do skills and interests matter for job seekers?

Including skills and interests on a resume matters because it helps you stand out and tells a story about who you are. Skills show your practical qualifications and what you can contribute immediately. Interests, meanwhile, give insight into your character, work ethic, and potential cultural fit. Together, they make your resume more than a list of past jobs.

For example, if you’re applying for a customer service position, listing “conflict resolution” and “active listening” in your skills shows you can handle difficult interactions effectively. Adding an interest like “team sports” suggests you work well with others and enjoy collaboration. This can make recruiters more comfortable imagining you as part of their team.

For candidates with limited work experience, such as recent graduates or career changers, skills and interests offer a valuable way to demonstrate potential. They also provide interviewers with conversation starters, which can help you build rapport during interviews.

What terms do people often confuse with skills and interests on resumes?

Understanding the difference between skills, strengths, certifications, and interests improves how you organize your resume. Skills are specific, learned abilities you use to perform job tasks, like “data analysis” or “customer communication.” Strengths are broader personal qualities or natural talents, such as “adaptability” or “dependability.” These are often better demonstrated through examples rather than listed directly.

Certifications are earned qualifications proving you completed training or passed exams. Examples include “Certified Nursing Assistant” or “Google Analytics Certified.” Certifications can be listed with skills or in their own section, especially if relevant to the job.

Interests differ from hobbies in that interests on a resume should relate to qualities employers value, such as leadership, creativity, or teamwork. Hobbies that don’t connect to professional skills or workplace culture may be better left off to keep the resume focused.

For example, writing “playing video games” as an interest might not add value unless the job is in gaming or technology. Instead, choose interests that reflect qualities like “competitive chess” (strategic thinking) or “volunteer tutoring” (communication and patience).

How can you decide which skills to include on your resume?

Start by carefully reading the job description to identify required or preferred skills. Write down all the skills you possess that match these requirements, including both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (people skills). Prioritize those mentioned in the job ad to help your resume pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan for keywords.

For example, if a job calls for “project management” and “customer service,” list those skills if you have them. Use clear, specific phrases like:

• Project planning and scheduling
• Customer relationship management (CRM software)
• Email and phone communication

Avoid vague terms like “good communicator” without backing it up with examples. Instead, you might say “developed weekly customer update reports” in your experience or skills section.

To organize your skills clearly, consider separating them into categories:

This structured approach improves readability and makes your strengths obvious.

How should you select interests to list on your resume?

Choose interests that highlight positive character traits and relate to the job or company culture. Think about activities where you gained leadership, teamwork, discipline, creativity, or community involvement. Keep your interests brief—usually three to five bullet points or a short sentence.

For example:

• Organized fundraising events for animal shelters (leadership, event planning)
• Playing team soccer (teamwork and fitness)
• Blogging on sustainability topics (writing and passion for environment)

Avoid controversial or overly personal interests, such as political activism or religious activities, unless they are directly relevant and you know the employer’s culture supports them.

If you lack work experience, interests can help demonstrate transferable skills. For example, volunteering at a food pantry shows responsibility and empathy. Including such interests can reassure employers you have qualities beyond formal jobs.

What is a practical example of including skills and interests in a resume?

Imagine applying for a marketing assistant position with some internship experience. Your skills section might look like this:

• Social media content creation (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
• Basic graphic design (Canva, Adobe Spark)
• Google Analytics (basic)
• Strong written and verbal communication

Your interests section could read:

• Volunteer coordinator for community gardening project
• Passionate about photography and visual storytelling
• Marathon runner, demonstrating discipline and goal-setting

This combination clearly shows relevant professional skills and personal interests that reinforce qualities useful to marketing, such as creativity, organization, and persistence. It presents you as a motivated candidate with both ability and enthusiasm, making your resume more attractive.

What should you do next after deciding your skills and interests?

After identifying your skills and interests, add them thoughtfully to your resume. Use concise bullet points under clear headings like “Skills” and “Interests.” Tailor these lists for each job application by prioritizing what’s most relevant to the role and company.

Practice explaining how your skills and interests make you a good fit during interviews. For example, if you list “team sports” as an interest, be ready to describe how playing on a team helped you develop communication and leadership skills.

Review your resume for clarity and avoid clutter. Keep formatting consistent and easy to scan. Use trusted resources and resume examples for guidance on wording and organization. Finally, be honest—only list skills and interests you can speak about confidently.

For more detailed skills lists and examples, explore resources on what to include in your resume skills and certifications sections. This preparation increases your chances of landing interviews and ultimately, the job you want.

Frequently asked questions

How many skills should I list on my resume?

Aim for 6 to 10 skills that are most relevant to the job. Including too many can overwhelm the reader, while too few may not showcase your full abilities. Tailor your list for each position.

Is it okay to list personal interests on a resume?

Yes, but only if they reflect positively on your character or relate to the job. Interests that show teamwork, leadership, or creativity can strengthen your application.

Should I include both hard and soft skills on my resume?

Yes, a mix of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal qualities) is ideal. Hard skills show what you can do, and soft skills show how you do it.

Can skills and interests help if I have no job experience?

Definitely. These sections can highlight your potential and personal qualities, making you a more attractive candidate even without formal work history.

Where is the best place to put skills and interests on a resume?

Place skills near the top or just below your summary to highlight your qualifications early. Interests are usually at the end, adding a personal touch after your professional details.