describe your personality interests and hobbies essay

How to Masterfully Describe Your Personality in an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide 2023

Introduction

Step 1: self-reflection and introspection, step 2: identifying core values and beliefs, step 3: gathering evidence and examples.

• Step 4: Show, don't tell

Step 5: Structuring your essay effectively

Step 6: balancing self-awareness and humility, step 7: seeking feedback and editing.

Describing your personality in an essay is not simply an exercise in self-expression; it is a transformative process that allows you to artfully communicate and convey the intricate nuances of your character to the reader. By delving into the depths of your self-awareness, personal growth, and the values that serve as the compass guiding your actions and decisions, you embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. In this comprehensive step-by-step guide , we will navigate the intricacies of crafting a compelling personality description in your essay, providing you with the necessary tools to masterfully articulate your unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives.

At its core, the act of describing your personality in an essay is an opportunity to authentically showcase who you are. It is a platform to illuminate the multifaceted nature of your being, unveiling the layers that make you distinct and individual. Through self-reflection and introspection , you delve into the recesses of your soul, gaining a deeper understanding of your own personality traits and characteristics. This process of self-exploration allows you to unearth the strengths that define you and the weaknesses that provide opportunities for growth.

Identifying your core values and beliefs is another essential step in effectively describing your personality. By exploring your fundamental principles and ideals, you gain insight into the motivations behind your actions and the driving force behind your decisions . These values serve as the undercurrent that weaves together the fabric of your personality, giving coherence and purpose to your thoughts and behaviors. Understanding how your personality traits align with your core values enables you to articulate a more comprehensive and authentic depiction of yourself.

To breathe life into your personality description, it is crucial to gather evidence and examples that showcase your traits in action. Recall specific instances where your personality has manifested itself, and examine the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that were present. By drawing on these concrete examples, you provide tangible proof of your personality claims, allowing the reader to envision your character in vivid detail.

However, it is not enough to simply tell the reader about your personality traits; you must show them through vivid and descriptive language. By employing sensory details and evocative storytelling, you paint a vibrant picture that engages the reader’s imagination. It is through this artful depiction that your personality comes to life on the page, leaving a lasting impression.

Crafting an effective structure for your essay is also paramount to conveying your personality in a coherent and engaging manner. A well-structured essay captivates the reader from the outset with an engaging introduction that sets the tone and grabs their attention. Organizing your essay around key personality traits or themes creates a logical progression of ideas, enabling a seamless flow from one aspect of your personality to the next. This careful structuring enhances the readability and impact of your essay, allowing the reader to follow your journey of self-expression with ease.

In describing your personality, it is essential to strike a delicate balance between self-awareness and humility. While it is important to acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments, it is equally crucial to avoid sounding arrogant. Honesty about your weaknesse s and areas for growth demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn from experiences, fostering personal growth and development.

Also, seeking feedback and diligently editing your essay play a vital role in refining your personality description. Sharing your work with trusted individuals allows for constructive criticism, providing valuable insights into how effectively your personality is being portrayed. By carefully incorporating this feedback and paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and clarity, you can ensure that your essay is polished and ready to make a lasting impression . Below are the step by step guide on how to masterfully describe your personality in an essay

Before diving into writing, take the time to deeply understand your own personality traits and characteristics. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses , considering how they have influenced your actions and interactions with others. Additionally, contemplate significant life experiences that have shaped your personality, providing valuable insights into who you are today.

Your core values and beliefs are the guiding principles that define your character. Explore what truly matters to you and the ideals that drive your decisions . By connecting your personality traits to these fundamental values, you create a more comprehensive understanding of yourself, providing a solid foundation for your essay.

To effectively describe your personality, draw upon specific instances where your traits were on display. Recall experiences that highlight your behavior, thoughts, and emotions. By utilizing concrete examples, you lend credibility to your claims about your personality, allowing the reader to envision your character in action.

Step 4: Show, don’t tell

Avoid falling into the trap of generic and vague descriptions. Instead, use vivid language and sensory details to bring your personality to life. Engage the reader’s imagination by painting a clear picture through storytelling. Let them experience your traits firsthand, making your essay more engaging and memorable.

Crafting a well-structured essay is crucial for conveying your personality in a coherent and engaging manner. Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that captivates the reader’s interest. Organize your essay around key personality traits or themes, ensuring a logical progression of ideas. Maintain a smooth flow between paragraphs, enhancing the overall readability of your essay.

While it’s essential to highlight your strengths, be careful not to come across as arrogant. Emphasize your accomplishments and positive attributes without boasting. Simultaneously, be honest about your weaknesses and areas for growth , demonstrating humility and a willingness to learn from experiences. This balance showcases maturity and self-awareness.

Sharing your essay with trusted individuals can provide valuable perspectives and constructive criticism. Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or friends who can offer insights into your essay’s strengths and areas that need improvement. Revise and refine your essay based on this feedback, paying close attention to grammar, punctuation, and clarity.

Incorporating these steps and techniques will allow you to masterfully describe your personality in an essay, capturing the essence of who you are in a compelling and authentic manner. Whether you are writing personality essays, an essay about personalities, or an essay on personality, the introduction of your personality essay should create a strong impression. It serves as a gateway for the reader to delve into your unique characteristics and perspectives. By effectively integrating these steps and maintaining a balanced approach, you can create a personality essay introduction that sets the stage for a captivating exploration of your individuality. So, how would you describe yourself? Use these guidelines and examples to express your personality with confidence and authenticity in your essay.

Mastering the art of describing your personality in an essay allows you to authentically express yourself and connect with readers on a deeper level. By embracing self-reflection and emphasizing personal growth, you create a c ompelling narrative that showcases your unique qualities. So, embark on this journey of self-expression and let your personality shine through your writing. Embrace authenticity, as it is through effective self-expression that personal growth and understanding can flourish.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Who Am I — Essay On My Personality

Essay on My Personality

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Published: Mar 14, 2024

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10 Best Answers to “What Are Your Interests and Hobbies”

Among the most common interview questions asked by potential employers is “What are your interests and hobbies?” When a hiring manager asks about your personal interests, they are asking if you are a well-rounded individual and if your personal qualities are a match for the company culture.

Let’s review ten excellent answers to this interview question. Then, read more below for some tips and mistakes to avoid, and a sample list of hobbies and interests for crafting your own answer.

10 Best Example Answers about Your Interests and Hobbies

Example #1: volunteering.

“An activity that I am very strongly involved in is volunteering. I try to volunteer two to three times every month at my local homeless shelter. I find it is a great way to give back and have community involvement. It helps me to grow my inner self and avoid becoming self-focused. I enjoy meeting different people, not just other volunteers, but I also hear the stories of the people we help.  (This answers the question, and states how often you do it.)

I’ve learned a lot of new things while volunteering. For example, I’ve learned soft skills like compassion, empathy, and active listening that are critical to relating to others. Additional skills and values, such as persistence, are important, too.  (This discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

There are some weekends when I am tired, and I don’t want to turn up. But I know the others are counting on me, and I take a lot of pride in being a good team player and helping others, so I am always there on time and ready to work hard, regardless of the day.”  (This states how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #2: Team Sports

“My greatest interest is in team sports. While I enjoy most team sports, my passion is baseball. I haven’t played in a while as I have been busy job hunting since moving cities. However, before moving, I used to play on a regular basis with a local team. I played in every game possible, which was every Saturday during the season, and turned up to every practice without missing a single one.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

Playing on a team requires a lot of skills. In particular, communication skills are important to successful teamwork. I have also been working on my leadership skills, as the more senior players such as myself would help coach, train, teach and motivate the new team members.  (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

I love the fact that team sports require everyone to work together. You can’t win the game unless every single person does what they are supposed to do and works together.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #3: Fitness and Exercise

“I enjoy a lot of hobbies, and there are several hobbies and interests that I regularly enjoy doing. While I do enjoy reading, various group activities, games, and sports, my favorite activity is working out, specifically strength training. While the gym isn’t my only hobby, it is very important to me to maintain my health and fitness, and I go to the gym three days a week.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

Working out is one of those leisure activities that people either love or hate. I love that it pits you against yourself. Your only competition is your own personal best. I am always challenged to be the very best I can be when I am at the gym. While I am always excited when I raise the bar for myself, I find peace and satisfaction in the process. The regular consistency is itself a challenge, and it is satisfying to know that I can hold myself accountable, even on the days I don’t want to be at the gym.  (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

This ability to set and work towards goals, to be reliable and accountable, and to always show up and give 100% is something that I bring to all aspects of my life, and I would bring to this role, too, if I am successful.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #4: Reading

“I am a voracious reader. I read both fiction and non-fiction, everything from short stories to sagas, self-help, and business books. While I like to always have one fiction and one nonfiction book on the go, it’s not uncommon for me to have several books going at once. I read at least a chapter every single night before bed, but on the weekends or a day off, it’s not uncommon for me to spend several more hours reading.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

While I read fiction for enjoyment and love being able to go on an adventure inside my head, I enjoy learning new things and expanding my horizons by reading nonfiction too.  (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

Besides the skills learned by reading, reading is itself a skill that requires both patience and the ability to focus. I credit reading books with helping me to be a well-rounded person. Because I enjoy reading and I am a good reader, I am also a very fast reader and retain almost everything I read. It’s one of those good hobbies that overflows into every other part of life in a positive way.   (Discusses more skills.)

If I am hired, you will see my love for reading benefit me as I can learn new skills quickly, I often use internal manuals to teach myself new skills, and because of my good retention of information, I only need to be taught things once to commit them to memory long-term.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #5: Practicing an Instrument

“One of my favorite pastimes is practicing and playing the piano. I am not very good right now, so most of the time, I am practicing, but I can already play a few basic pieces, and it is very satisfying to play beautiful music. I try to practice for 15 minutes every day and for at least one hour during the weekend. On weekends I try to have dedicated practice time for improving my skills and also some time to just mess around and play one of the pieces I already know. This way, I am always improving, but I can also enjoy the rewards of the effort I have put in already.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

It takes a lot of patience to learn, especially at the start when the first 20 or 30 hours of practice, you can’t even play something to enjoy it. It’s just hard work. Now that I can play some full pieces, I find it very relaxing, and it helps me to destress at the end of the day.   (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

If I play before bedtime, I sleep a lot better, and I have seen this reflected in the quality of my work as I am less stressed and better rested.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #6: Traveling

“My favorite thing to do in my free time is to travel, and I dedicate a lot of time to it. I try to go on one overseas trip every year, but sometimes it is every two years. When I am not traveling overseas, I also like to travel at home and take road trips around my state to see other counties, and on long weekends I often travel to the next state over. I love seeing new places, so if I am not traveling, I am seeking travel inspiration from others on social media, always on the lookout for the best place to go on my next trip.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

I enjoy traveling because it is so much more than just the journey. It takes planning, commitment, an openness to new cultures, new people, and a spirit of adventure. Traveling has taught me how to create long-term plans, choose priorities and work towards goals and objectives in an effective manner. (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

I bring these skills and an openness to learning about people and cultures to the workplace, and I believe I would rapidly become a valuable and cohesive member of any team.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #7: Playing Board Games

“I have several hobbies and activities that I enjoy participating in. I read and volunteer, and I have outside interests such as hiking and camping, but one of my most frequent hobbies is playing board games. I am a member of a board gaming social group, and we try to meet up twice a month for a couple of hours of gaming. Once every three months, we have a weekend meetup for longer games.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

It is difficult to pick just one aspect of board gaming that I enjoy as every game is different. I enjoy the social aspect. We often have anywhere from two up to eight people in one game. Most board games also require strategy and the ability to consider scenarios and a range of possible actions and choose the best option. Some games are also played as teams, so there is a cooperative teamwork aspect while applying strategy and planning too.  (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

In addition, some of our group can get competitive sometimes, so I have had to learn and apply effective interpersonal skills to manage those people so that we can play games and have fun without letting individual emotions ruin the day for others.  (Discusses more skills.)

Board gaming is an activity that builds skills relevant to work. We need to work as a team to solve complex problems and interact with different people who can be in different emotional states from day to day, so it is a good way of developing critical thinking skills and social skills while also having fun with friends.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #8: Spending Time with My Family 

“My family is easily the most important thing in the world to me, and because of this, the way I prefer to spend my free time is to relax, socialize and interact with them. It might sound cliché of me to say it, but I spend almost all of my free time with my family because it brings me great joy and happiness to be with my children and watch them play and grow.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

We are a very tight-knit family, so whether we are watching tv, playing video games, going to church on Sunday, or exploring the woods on a long weekend, we do almost everything together. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my family, and this is a big part of why I am an ideal candidate.  (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

I am motivated to provide my family with the best life and the best opportunities that I can and to be able to afford to enjoy our time together. I know that to do this, I need to do well at work, commit to habits of excellence, and go above and beyond to produce exceptional value for the company.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

Example #9: Being Creative

“The activity that I enjoy the most is being creative. I have several creative skills, including drawing and painting, but I particularly enjoy graphic design. The ability to make something from my imagination come to life on a screen is very satisfying. I use my skills to take on small jobs for friends and family, and I maintain a portfolio of my work online. I used to create art two to three hours per week, but now that I have the core skill, I just work on projects for enjoyment, usually three or four hours most weeks and any weekend that I have free.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

I want to get better, and I like seeing what others have done online and exploring the limitations of my abilities. For this reason, I am always looking to incorporate new tools, functions, and techniques into my work. This means that I have the technical skill of graphic design that I bring to the role, but it also demonstrates my ability to be self-directed and self-motivated. I don’t require much oversight, and I am always looking to push myself and develop new skills. I also enjoy sharing my skills with others and helping them to improve their abilities so that we can all become better together.”  (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest and does not explicitly state how the skills will help in the prospective job, but that will be obvious to the interviewer.)

Example #10: Debating

“It is not a very common interest, but one of my passions is debating. In my college days, I was a member of the debate team. In my last town, I was a member of Toastmasters International and would attend many events and particularly liked to participate in debates. While I am not currently active with a local group, I am a member of a private online debate group. We meet up every Wednesday evening for a video chat.  (Answers the question and states how often.)

Most weeks, we learn about debate and argument techniques and ways to improve our thinking.  At least once a month, we break into teams and have to debate a current topic from the news. We try to form teams arguing the opposite point of view to our personal opinions. I enjoy the friendly but competitive rivalry in the group and the fact that most of the time, we are helping each other, and then occasionally, we have these debate contests. I also like that we are forced to think about issues from the opposite side of what we would like. This means that we need to be very good at critical thought and reasoning and open to new ideas. To debate effectively, we also need to learn to be assertive, think on our feet, and hone strong communication skills. (Discusses the skills from that hobby or interest.)

All of the skills I have developed as a debater I would bring to the position, and I believe they would be valuable in the role.”  (States how the skills will help in the prospective job.)

5 Tips to Plan Your Answer

• Create a list of hobbies, sports, or interests that you enjoy and any volunteer work you are involved with.
• Identify what work-relevant skills you have developed or demonstrated in the activity.
• Visit the company’s website and look at the job description and identify what technical skills and soft skills are important to the job role and the company.
• Think of some of the best examples of when or how you demonstrated relevant skills or developed a new skill in the activity.
• In the job interview, explain to the prospective employer the transferable skills from your hobby or interest and how it is relevant to your job application, and why it makes you the perfect candidate.

5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Interview Answer

• Failing to list hobbies or interests that relate to the job or failing to explain how they relate to the job.
• Do not say you use leisure time for partying and drinking and need every Sunday to recover for the next week.
• Don’t discuss controversial hobbies. Keep to examples of hobbies that are widely accepted extracurricular activities.
• Don’t talk about wasting your spare time or showing a lack of interest and direction in life.
• Don’t use examples of hobbies that demonstrate skills, interests, or personality traits that are a strong mismatch for the role.

Sample List of Hobbies and Interests

• Charity, volunteering, and community work
• Cooking, food and wine experiences, and restaurant dining
• Creative activities, art, crafts, and playing music
• Educational pursuits, intellectual activities, investing, reading, and book clubs
• Entertainment, board games, and video games
• Exercise, fitness, and weight training
• Gardening and horticulture
• Group activities, field sports, and team sports
• Motor sports
• Outdoor activities and extreme sports
• Meditation, bird watching, and other relaxing activities
• Family time and activities
• Solo sports
• Traveling, road trips, and adventure

During an interview, the most important thing to remember is to explain how your hobby or interest relates to the job and keep it relevant to the hiring process. Be genuine and use a real hobby or interest, and be prepared for follow-up questions.

If you don’t have many hobbies or interests, the best way to respond to this question is with a common interest that shows a desirable quality. Reading or playing team sports are examples of the “right hobbies” to use as an interview answer for this question. With adequate preparation, answering this question will be a breeze. Good luck!

How to Answer “What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?” (Example Answers Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

What are your hobbies and interests? Seems like a strange question for an interview, right? After all, what do your hobbies and interest have to do with your career? Well, they can actually have a lot to do with it, depending on what they are.

So, are you ready to learn more about the wild world of interests and hobbies, including which interests and hobbies to put on a resume, discuss during an interview, and more? Great! Here’s what you need to know.

Hobbies, Interests, and Your Job Search

Alright, it might not seem like hobbies, interests, and your job search have a ton in common. The thing is, they can, particularly if you frame the situation the right way.

First, let’s take a moment and talk about what a hobby or interest even is. So, what are hobbies? Well, the definition from the folks at Merriam-Webster says, “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.” While that might be a little nondescript, it’s nonetheless accurate.

As for interests, in this context, it usually references – according to Collins Dictionary – something “you want to learn or hear more about.” Again, a bit vague but apt. It is a subject or pursuit you enjoy, typically to the point that you willingly and enthusiastically spend personal time diving into it.

Alright, but how does all of this matter to a job search? Well, your hobbies might showcase your creativity, your ability to work as part of a team, or a specific skill that you acquired through non-traditional means. With interests, you can showcase a passion for a topic and a willingness to learn on your own. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Why does being able to showcase additional skills and traits matter? Well, no matter where you are in your career, they could help you separate yourself from the pack and land the job you have your eye on; that’s why.

Here’s something to consider; entry-level jobs were down 68 percent during the pandemic. That meant most recent grads were facing stiff competition for a limited number of openings. Couple that with skyrocketing unemployment, and finding any advantage could be a must.

Even seasoned professionals can benefit from looking beyond their traditional job-earned skills. Of companies that screen candidate social media accounts, 31 percent were specifically looking at whether the job seeker seemed well-rounded, including having a wide variety of interests. While that was social media-specific, it shows the potential value of showcasing knowledge and passions outside of your professional life.

Plus, the hobbies and interests you choose could demonstrate that you’re a great culture fit. Since many hiring managers take that into consideration, highlighting activities that align with the company’s mission, values, or vibe can work in your favor.

Ultimately, by highlighting the right hobbies or interests, you might be able to differentiate yourself from the pack. Yes, they are that powerful, but only when properly leveraged. And how do you do that? Don’t worry; we’ll get into that here in a moment.

List of Hobbies / List of Interests

Okay, before we dig into why hiring managers ask this question and how to tackle it properly, it’s helpful to see a list of hobbies and a list of interests that could potentially be relevant to your job search. That way, you can focus on the right areas when it comes time to prepare a response.

So, without any ado, here are those lists.

List of Hobbies

• Volunteering
• Team Sports

List of Interests

• World Cultures
• Foreign Languages

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask This Question?

Generally speaking, the hiring manager asks you, “what are your hobbies” or “what are your interests” for a few reasons. One of the biggest is to see if you’re a well-rounded person.

Hobbies and interests suggest a full life that isn’t entirely dominated by your career. Plus, there’s a good chance you use them as a form of stress management, which may mean you’re better equipped to handle challenges that occur in all parts of your life.

Second, the hiring manager wants to know about your hobby or interests because you likely gained some transferable skills along the way. Both hard and soft skills can be earned through these kinds of activities and pursuits of knowledge, so the hiring manager is trying to figure out if you’ve picked any potentially valuable capabilities or understandings.

Finally, learning about your interests and hobbies lets the hiring manager assess your culture fit. For example, if a company values wellness, they may appreciate your dedication to fitness as it makes you look like a better match for the culture.

Ultimately, the hiring manager has to look at more than your technical capabilities to figure out if you’re right for the role. By asking about your hobbies and interests, that gets a bit easier.

Remember, this is just one question the hiring manager could ask you in your interview! That’s why we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview.

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Common Mistakes When Answering This Question

Alright, when it comes time to prep an answer to this interview question, it’s critical that you avoid certain mistakes. For example, lying about your hobbies or interests is a biggie. Why? Because, eventually, the truth will probably come out. Not only can dishonesty be a huge red flag, but it can also cost you the job.

Second, talking about hobbies or interests that aren’t professional isn’t a smart move. Similarly, anything related to taboo, controversial, or illegal undertakings shouldn’t come up on your resume or during your interview.

Additionally, avoiding specifics isn’t ideal. If you’re overly vague, it may come across as disingenuous. Ideally, you want to exude enthusiasm for what you do, and adding some details can help you do that.

On a final note, it’s also best to avoid hobby or interest overload. While mentioning a few is fine, even if they are usually good interests or hobbies to put on a resume, it’s better to limit yourself to no more than a handful, preferably just three or so.

Tips for Answering This Question

Now that you have some ideas about which hobbies and interests to put on a resume or talk about during an interview, let’s take a moment to discuss how to create a quality answer to the interview question. If you want to make sure your response is on point, here are some outstanding tips that can help.

Focus on Relevance

As with every part of your job search experience, when you’re choosing interests or hobbies for a resume or interview answer, relevance is the key. You should only discuss an activity or knowledge area that provides the hiring manager with some level of value.

Now, this doesn’t mean you’re stuck with only relevant hard skills . Soft skills are essential, too, along with culture fit. If one of your examples hits at least one of those areas in a way that matters to the hiring manager, you should be in good shape.

How do you figure out which hobbies and interests hit the mark? By doing some research. Review the position description to learn about must-have skills and traits. Take a deep dive into the company’s website to explore its mission and values. Head over to the company’s social media accounts to glean insights about its culture. Those are all great ways to find out more about what the hiring manager is trying to find, ensuring you include the best hobbies and interests to show you’re a match.

2. But Be Genuine

As mentioned above, being passionate about the hobby or interest is crucial. Don’t say that you love an activity or subject if you don’t just because you think it’ll help you get on the hiring manager’s good side. Instead, talk about something that really matters to you.

Enthusiasm is an important part of the equation. It’s better to say what your hobbies and interests are – and briefly explain why you adore them so much – in an authentic manner. That way, your answer feels real.

Plus, the hiring manager may only be concerned with whether you’re well-rounded, not whether the activity gave you a work-related skill. That means that the hobby or interest you discuss doesn’t matter as much as having one in the first place.

3. Be Concise

While you do want to add enough detail to showcase the relevance of the hobby or interest, as well as your passion for it, it’s still important to be concise. When we talk about stuff we adore, it’s easy to get carried away; that’s just a fact.

Create an answer that about three to five sentences long. That way, you can fit in a few details without digging too deep. Then, practice it so that you really have it down.

And, when your interview arrives, resist the urge to extrapolate. Keep your answer brief. If the hiring manager wants to know more, they’ll ask follow-up questions – giving you room to expand – so keep that in mind.

How to Answer the Interview Question “What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?”

When it comes time to answer the “what are your hobbies and interests?” you want to have a compelling response ready to share. How do you prep an answer that’s informative and engaging? Well, by using the Tailoring Method , of course.

With the Tailoring Method, it’s all about relevance and creating a great narrative. By using that approach, your responses will be meaningful in relation to the role, ensuring you can showcase your potential value as an employee.

So, what does it look like when you put the Tailoring Method, and the other tips above into action? Why don’t we show you? Here are the great examples of how to answer “what are your interests and hobbies,” with one showcasing a hard skill , one showcasing a soft skill , and one focused on culture fit .

1. Hard Skill

Usually, you’ll want to focus on a hard skill you learned through a hobby when the capability is relevant to the role, and you don’t have any on-the-job experience with it. It’s an approach that lets you highlight how you earned the capability, effectively covering what may otherwise look like a gap.

Here is an answer that focuses on hard skills.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“When it comes to hobbies, photography is the most significant one in my life. Not only has it taught me a lot about composition, but it also created an opportunity to hone my photo editing skills. It is the photo editing aspect of this role that really caught my attention. Turning images into something spectacular is one of my passions, and I believe that my experience with my own photography has given me the necessary capabilities to thrive.”

2. Soft Skill

In most cases, soft skills are highly transferable. Plus, they can be crucial for success, giving you the ability to navigate complex situations at work with greater ease and work better with others, regardless of whether you always see eye-to-eye.

Here is a response to this interview question that concentrates on soft skills.

“When it comes to interests and hobbies, I would have to say my volunteer work is the most important thing in my life in that regard. Every month, I spend time volunteering at my area foodbank. Not only has this given me the opportunity to support my community, but I’ve also learned valuable skills along the way. I’ve had opportunities to lead projects, connect with people in need, and become part of a dedicated team that shares common goals. The experience is invaluable, and I look forward to my time there greatly.”

3. Culture Fit

With a culture fit answer, you want to align how a hobby or interest connects to one of the companies values or workplace vibe. It’s all about showcasing how you’re on the same page and that you’d mesh quickly with the company’s culture.

Here is an answer to this critical interview question that addresses culture fit.

“One of my biggest hobbies and interests is meditation. I noticed in your company values that employee wellness is a priority. Through meditation, I find that I am better equipped to offer myself self-care. It also keeps me centered and focused, even during high-stress times. Your dedication to wellness is one of the reasons I applied to the position, as I feel the company’s values align with my own.”

Other Places Hobbies / Interests Are Important

Alright, so now you should have a solid idea about how to tackle the interview question. But what about interest and hobbies to put on a resume? Where do they go?

Well, one of the simplest things to do is to add a “Hobbies and Interests” section to your resume . If you go that route, you can list a few choice hobbies or interests in a spot that’s just for them.

Just make sure you do more than listing the activity by itself. Instead, include a few extra words that highlight why it’s relevant to the role, like the skills it helped you acquire, or at least give a bit of context.

However, your resume isn’t the only option. You can also discuss hobbies and interests in your cover letter . If you need a bit of extra space to showcase why a particular one is relevant, your cover letter could be the perfect spot for that.

Putting It All Together

In the end, hobbies and interests can come up during your job search. Use the tips above to make sure you showcase the right ones at the proper time, including during your interview, on your resume, and even in your cover letter. That way, they can help you come across as appropriately skilled, well-rounded, a great culture fit, and, ultimately, the best candidate for the job.

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

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Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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Hobbies Essay: 80 Topics, 2 Examples, & My Hobby Essay Outline

Do you need to write a perfect leisure time essay?

It is an exciting topic – you can write about the things you are genuinely interested in! Try to think about what makes you feel inspired and share it with your readers. We will show you how to prepare a worthy paper in this article. You will find a hobbies essay writing guide, some topics on hobbies, and essay samples in the end.

• 🗂️ Hobby Essay Writing Guide

🧙 80 Hobby Essay Topics

✅ my hobby essay outline, 📔 hobby essay examples, 🗂️ hobby essay: 3 writing rules.

Here we will give some advice and discuss common mistakes in a “My hobbies” essay.

Follow these rules to prepare your paper wisely.

Essay on Hobbies Rule#1 Choose the Topic

First of all, you need to ensure that the hobby essay title you chose is appropriate to your paper’s length. If it is a short 100-word or 150-word essay, you can pick a simple topic. The longer the paper, the more complex issue you need. It also depends on your level of studies: high school and college paper topics have different requirements.

Your paper might also require some scientific research. In this case, look for a topic on which you can find enough information. Don’t be afraid to change or adjust the focus if you can’t find sufficient materials.

Use our amazing free essay topic generator to get the best topic!

If your instructor gave a list of topics, choose the one that interests you the most. You can also make a shortlist before you pick the most suitable title.

Essay on Hobbies Rule#2 Plan before Writing

Create a list of the essential points of your hobbies essay. Planning is vital as every paper needs a structure. Otherwise, you just might end up worshiping your hobby. This is the number one mistake.

Your outline should consist of three main parts:

• Introduction. You need to state your topic and describe what the paper is about.
• Body. Develop your arguments or narrative and provide evidence if necessary.
• Conclusion. Summarize the information you provided in the previous paragraphs.

Find rare aspects of your hobby. They can include equipment, locations, your achievements, and inspiration, etc.

If your hobby is rather popular, share a unique story connected with it.

Essay on Hobbies Rule#3 Filter What You Say

The first thing you should remember: be as objective as possible. No matter how much you love your hobbies, you better stick to the facts. All the information you provide should be unbiased and reliable.

How can you do it?

• Make references. Statistics, facts, and all other data will support your statements.
• Pay attention to vocabulary. You can use jargon and specific terminology as long as it has explanations. Avoid emotional words such as “very,” “terrible,” “awesome.”
• Don’t use reductions. As for academic writing, it is better to choose full forms.
• Show opposing points of view. To stay objective, indicate that your ideas have counterarguments.
• Check English grammar and spelling . Literacy is a must-have for any academic paper.

You can discuss one of these essay topics in your paper:

• What is the hobby you dream of taking up?
• Are active or passive hobbies better for children to develop properly?
• Woodstock: An important event for those who have music as their hobby.
• How much time do you devote to your hobbies and interests?
• Reading as a family hobby.
• Should a hobby be affordable or require extra spending?
• Hobbies in ancient Rome: The importance of games and baths.
• Who or what inspired you to take up a new hobby?
• What equipment do you need for your hobby?
• Art as a hobby in the UK: Why it is worth supporting.
• Is it essential for a person to have a hobby?
• Is there a childhood hobby that you gave up?
• Sociology of music: What music means in our life.
• How many hobbies can a person have?
• What is your favorite hobby that you genuinely enjoy?
• Did your parents force you to choose your leisure time activities?
• What hobbies should you include in your resume?
• Folk music as a hobby.
• What is the right age to take up drawing?
• Gambling as a controversial hobby.
• Is it possible for a person not to have any hobbies?
• Sports as a hobby: Fan habits and behaviors on a game day.
• What is the most important lesson your hobby has taught you?
• Japanese manga and anime: A popular hobby worldwide.
• Which hobbies can you take up with a low budget?
• Rock music as a hobby.
• What hobby is the most popular in the United States?
• How can you define the word “hobby”?
• Game of Thrones: A proof of why watching TV can be a legitimate hobby.
• Can singing be your hobby if you are not talented?
• When can you say that activity became your hobby?
• Music as a hobby: Its influence on the mind.
• Who has the most exciting hobby in your family?
• Why do people choose extreme or dangerous hobbies?
• What are the benefits of reading books?
• How to help a kid to pick their hobby?
• Yoga as a stress-reducing hobby.
• What should you do if you are no longer interested in your hobby?
• Is it essential to achieve something in your hobby?
• Music technology: Effects on professional and amateur musicians.
• Can your hobby become a profession?
• How can you define that a hobby is not suitable for you?
• Graffiti as a hobby and an art form.
• How to choose your hobby if you are interested in too many things?
• Is gardening a hobby or a duty?
• Teenage gaming: Balancing between an innocent hobby and addiction.
• What free time activities are the most common among high school students?
• What is your favorite family free time activity?
• Video games: Are they an appropriate hobby for children?
• Why do people lose interest in their hobbies over time?
• What are the differences between sports as a profession and as a hobby?
• What are the benefits of team sports such as basketball?
• What hobbies have you already tried?
• Do you prefer participating in your hobbies alone or with other people?
• Is gaming an appropriate hobby for the elderly?
• What hobbies, in your opinion, are the most expensive?
• Violent video games: A hobby causing behavior problems.
• Did you enjoy your hobby when you first tried it?
• Music, media, and culture: Influence on behavior.
• How can a hobby be helpful in your career?
• Video games as a hobby producing cognitive benefits.
• Is volunteering an unpaid job or a hobby?
• Music as a hobby: Personality traits and music preferences.
• Have your hobbies ever interfered with your studies?
• Toys and games as important activities for children’s gender socialization.
• What hobbies are harmful to human health?
• Online games: Are they a suitable hobby for children or adults?
• Is taking up a new hobby stressful for you?
• The importance of music as a hobby.
• How much money do you spend on your hobby?
• Video games: A hobby with controversial effects.
• Do you want to devote more time to your hobby?
• Hip hop music as a hobby.
• Have you ever inspired anyone to take up your hobby?
• Music as a popular hoppy among Americans.
• How do your hobbies help you in life?
• Heavy metal music as a hobby: Gender differences.
• Who is your role model in your hobby?
• Leisure satisfaction in school teachers in Taiwan.
• Does sharing a hobby make people better friends?

Writing an essay about your hobby is so exciting! If you don’t know where to start or how to organize your ideas, consider the following outline we’ve prepared to guide you.

And here are some short hobby essay examples for you. Read them to find inspiration. Pay attention to the structure and use them as a reference to your paper.

Let’s start!

Free Time Activities Essay

Each person needs to change their activities. If you have a sedentary job or study a lot, it is great to do some sports. If you move too much, you can enjoy reading a book in a quiet place. People need free time activities to make their lifestyle more enjoyable, healthy and get to know themselves better. First of all, having a hobby creates new experiences for you. Any kind of free time activity develops new skills and teaches you something new. It is excellent to know that you do something for yourself just for pleasure and new emotions. You can also find new friends, visit new places, and participate in events just because you have a hobby. For example, you like running. You can do it alone or join a local community. There are also plenty of amateur competitions that take place in different locations. Hobbies are beneficial for both your mental and physical health. They help you to keep your life in balance. Lacking movement in your daily life means you can compensate for it with sports. If you work from home and don’t communicate with people, you can sign up for group classes. Also, hobbies that require effort make your character more vigorous and more resistant to difficulties. When you spend your free time the way you like it, you become more self-aware. Knowing yourself means that you discover your strengths and weaknesses and understand your preferences better. You know what you are capable of now and what you need to learn to do. It is great to have a hobby to participate in different activities and enrich your life experience with new skills, places, and people. Hobbies also keep you healthy. Free-time activities are crucial for understanding your self-worth, motivations, and strong and weak spots.

My Favorite Hobby Essay

As for a high school student, my hobby might seem untypical. I design custom clothes for my family and peers. I am a seventeen-year-old boy who knows how to sew an evening dress for my mother or to create a tailored suit for any event. I chose this hobby as I was always interested in fashion, I am good at drawing and sketching, and my progress motivates me. It was always curious looking at people on the street when I was a kid. I noticed patterns, silhouettes, and various combinations. I knew some were good, some didn’t suit people, and some were just outdated. That was the moment when I started to notice the difference between fashion and style. Later, I watched fashion shows and educational YouTube videos. It is my dream to own a fashion brand, so I also paid attention to the business part of the process. Sketching clothes is the first step to their creation. I am a good drawer, so there is no problem showing all of my design ideas on paper. You just need a lot of practice. I needed to hone my skills to make proportions and colors seem as natural as possible. I also try to memorize how people look and draw them when I have an opportunity. I own more than twenty sketchbooks full of ideas and inspiration. The more ideas I generate, the easier it becomes. When I see my old sketches or pieces of clothing that I created, I can notice how much I’ve improved. Hard work and knowledge can make your goals achievable. If I don’t know something, I just search for it on the Internet and try it. Maybe you will need to try more than once, but eventually, I can see the result I want. Fashion is one of my greatest passions. That is why I never hesitate to spend some extra money or effort to create something new. I never regretted choosing fashion over any other hobbies because I always knew I was doing what was suitable for me. I know I developed my taste, drawing skills, and persistence because of this hobby. I hope one day it becomes a profession. My dream is to use all my skills and knowledge to create something people will like to wear.

How To Describe Yourself In A Paragraph: Artful Ways to Describe Yourself 

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on July 22, 2023

Categories Writing

Did you know 92% of people struggle to describe themselves in a compelling way? You’re not alone if you find this challenging. It’s often difficult to condense your life, personality, and achievements into a single paragraph. But don’t worry! This article is designed specifically for you.

We’ll guide you through the process of identifying your unique qualities and using authentic language to express them. We’ll show you how to highlight your key achievements without sounding arrogant and how to include your goals and aspirations in an engaging way.

You’ll also learn how to avoid over-exaggerating and how essential it is to proofread, edit, and seek feedback. With regular practice, describing yourself effectively will become second nature for you.

So let’s dive right in!

Key Takeaways

• Difficulty in describing oneself in a compelling way: 92% struggle
• Importance of condensing life, personality, and achievements into a single paragraph
• Process of identifying unique qualities and using authentic language
• Highlighting key achievements without sounding arrogant

Understand the Purpose

You’ve got to first understand the purpose of describing yourself in a paragraph; it’s more than just listing out your qualities, it’s about showcasing your uniqueness and authenticity. The significance of this purpose is profound, as it can shape how others perceive you — be it for job applications, dating profiles, or social media introductions.

Let’s put emphasis on self-perception exploration. Begin by taking an introspective journey into your character traits, strengths, and weaknesses. Reflecting upon these aspects helps build a comprehensive picture that goes beyond surface-level descriptions. Are you someone who thrives under pressure? Or maybe you’re known for your creative problem-solving skills? These details are essential to crafting a compelling image of yourself.

Ensure that your description aligns with your personal values and professional goals too. It should be reflective of who you truly are while also highlighting what makes you different from everyone else in the room. Remember: confidence is key here; don’t undersell yourself or exaggerate truths.

When completing this task of self-description, bear in mind that authenticity always triumphs over clichés. Without resorting to standard phrases or buzzwords, let every word resonate genuineness and individuality. By understanding its purpose and exploring self-perception thoroughly, describing yourself becomes an exercise in clarity rather than confusion – an opportunity to shine rather than shrink back into the crowd.

Identify Your Unique Qualities

Digging deep and pinpointing what makes you one-of-a-kind is a fun, enlightening journey. Start this self-discovery by listing down all your qualities both good and bad.

This activity, often referred to as Qualities categorization, helps you gain a clear image of yourself. Are you empathetic or assertive? Do you possess problem-solving skills or are you more into creative thinking? Remember that there’s no right or wrong answer here. Your qualities don’t have to fit neatly into societal norms to be valuable.

Next comes Uniqueness exploration – understanding how these attributes set you apart from others. You might find that it’s not just about having specific traits but also how they interact with each other that makes the difference. For instance, being detail-oriented and innovative at the same time can make you an excellent project manager.

As we wrap up this section, remember that identifying your unique qualities isn’t about inflating your ego but rather recognizing who you truly are underneath all labels and expectations. Embrace them wholeheartedly because they’re what make you special in your own way. Own them confidently for they define your individuality!

Use Authentic Language

Let’s get real, using genuine words that reflect your true self can make a world of difference! It’s all about the importance of language authenticity. Using authentic language not only shows who you truly are but also makes people trust and understand you better.

When describing yourself in a paragraph, consider these vocabulary selection tips:

• Be Specific: Instead of using general terms like ‘hardworking,’ use specific phrases such as ‘meticulous project manager’ or ‘innovative graphic designer.’
• Show Don’t Tell: Instead of saying you’re ‘creative,’ demonstrate it by mentioning how you designed a successful marketing campaign or invented a new product.
• Use Positive Language: Describe yourself with words that show your confidence and enthusiasm.

Remember, the goal is to persuade others – whether they’re potential employers, colleagues, or friends – to see your worth. You need to convince them that what you say about yourself is valid and reliable.

It may take some practice to find the right words that best describe who you are. But with time and effort, you’ll be able to craft an authentic description of yourself that’ll leave an impressive mark on anyone reading it. This isn’t just about selling yourself; it’s about being honest and consistent in representing who you truly are.

Highlight Your Achievements

You’ve certainly got accomplishments to boast about, both professional and personal. It’s time to put them in the spotlight, highlighting not just what you’ve done, but how it has contributed to your growth and success.

Let’s delve into how you can effectively showcase these achievements, making a persuasive case for your unique value and potential.

Professional Achievements

Climbing the corporate ladder, I’ve secured several significant achievements that have shaped my career. By quantifying success, I’ve consistently demonstrated my ability to exceed targets and objectives.

For instance, I led a project team that boosted company revenue by 20% within six months. Overcoming challenges has been key to this success, like navigating through a significant market downturn while still achieving profitability.

Moreover, I’ve developed a reputation for exceptional client relationships, leading to repeat business and increased referrals. My skill in strategic planning has also ensured the successful launch of three innovative products which catapulted our brand’s recognition in the industry.

In sum, my professional journey is characterized by an unrelenting drive toward excellence and tangible results – proof of my commitment to contribute positively wherever I go.

Personal Achievements

In my personal life, there’s a tapestry of achievements that are equally as precious to me as my professional ones.

Overcoming setbacks has been an integral part of my journey. For instance, I’ve faced adversities and hardships that seemed insurmountable at first glance. Yet, it’s in these moments where I truly shone, demonstrating resilience and determination that even surprised myself.

My commitment to personal growth is unwavering. I constantly seek out opportunities for self-improvement, embracing the never-ending process of learning with open arms. This pursuit keeps me humble and grounded while pushing the boundaries of what I’m capable of achieving.

My passion for exploration shines through every endeavor I undertake; it shapes who I am today, underlining each step towards becoming the best version of myself possible.

Include Your Goals and Aspirations

Fuelled by ambition, I’m relentlessly chasing my dreams and aspirations with a fiery determination that sparks inspiration. My future plans are clear-cut as I keep my eyes on the horizon: to be an influential leader in my chosen career pathway.

With every step forward, I see myself growing closer to this vision of success, fuelled not merely by monetary gain, but by the sheer joy of making a difference.

My drive is not without strategy; I’ve carefully mapped out a path towards my goals. This includes acquiring necessary skills and experiences relevant to my chosen field. It’s about investing time and effort into personal growth whilst keeping an eye on long-term objectives.

As for career pathways, mine may not be conventional. Yet it’s one that resonates deeply with who I am – a trailblazer who thrives on challenges and isn’t afraid of taking uncharted routes. This unique approach reflects both my individuality and adaptability.

Despite the potential hurdles along the way, rest assured that every setback will only fortify my resolve further. Each day brings me closer to fulfilling these ambitions – stepping stones on this exciting journey towards realizing my full potential.

Demonstrate Your Values and Beliefs

Transitioning from speaking about your goals and aspirations, we now delve into an aspect of self-description that truly sets you apart: your values and beliefs. Exploring core values is not just a cursory glance at what you stand for but a deep dive into the guiding principles that shape who you are.

Every belief system impacts your decision making, behavior, relationships, and overall worldview. You may believe in hard work leading to success or kindness being repaid with kindness. These convictions offer insight into your character and define how you interact with the world.

When describing yourself, don’t shy away from showcasing these attributes. They reveal more about you than surface-level traits ever could. Let’s say if you hold honesty as a core value, it signifies trustworthiness – a trait highly valued in any relationship or profession.

So remember, when describing yourself within a paragraph, pay heed to your values and beliefs as they uniquely represent you without any pretense or facade.

Provide Relevant Background Information

Diving into your past, let’s uncover the relevant background information that has shaped you into who you are today.

Discussing education details is a great place to start. Your academic path often lays the foundation for your abilities and interests. Perhaps you hold a degree in literature from a renowned university or maybe you’re an autodidact with a passion for learning new languages.

Sharing life experiences also plays a significant role in describing yourself. Think about pivotal moments and situations which have had considerable influence on your personality or career path. These could include travel experiences, internships, volunteer work, or any unique event that has contributed significantly to your personal growth.

Don’t shy away from mentioning the challenges you’ve overcome as they highlight resilience and determination – traits highly valued in both professional and personal settings. Equally important is to shine light on what sets you apart from others: Are you an avid runner? Do you speak multiple languages? Or perhaps, do you play an instrument?

As we delve deeper into this exploration of self-description, remember that every detail matters – it builds up to create an authentic picture of who truly are at heart.

Mention Your Interests and Hobbies

Like notes harmoniously flowing from a well-played guitar, your interests and hobbies add a unique rhythm to the symphony of your life. They begin to paint an intricate picture of you that’s far more colorful than just your job description or academic achievements.

You might be someone who loves exploring niche hobbies. Perhaps you’ve spent countless hours studying the art of bonsai trimming, or maybe you’re passionate about amateur astronomy and can map out constellations with ease. These unique pursuits not only make you interesting but also show a curiosity and dedication that many would find admirable.

Incorporating sports interests into your self-description can also speak volumes about your character. Whether it’s running marathons, playing in a local soccer league, or mastering yoga poses, these activities reveal traits like determination, teamwork, and discipline.

While detailing these aspects of yourself, remember to exude confidence without sounding boastful. It’s all about showcasing how these interests contribute positively to your personal growth and potential interactions with others.

So don’t shy away from sharing what ignites passion within you – whether it’s reading mystery novels under the cover of night or scaling mountain peaks on weekends. Expressing genuine enthusiasm for your hobbies will undoubtedly leave an unforgettable impression on others.

Implement a Positive Tone

It’s essential to keep a positive tone when you’re talking about your passions and pursuits. Displaying enthusiasm for what you love or are good at can be infectious, making others want to know more about you.

As you describe yourself, it’s crucial to emphasize optimism. Even if there were challenges along the way, communicate how these made you stronger, rather than focusing on the negatives.

Speak confidently about your achievements and experiences. Don’t shy away from sharing what makes you proud of who you are today – this isn’t bragging; it’s being honest and self-assured! Use persuasive language that demonstrates your dedication towards achieving your goals or pursuing your hobbies. Explain how these interests have shaped your character, always keeping an upbeat attitude in describing them.

Instead of ending with a recap or summary, leave off on a high note emphasizing positivity once more. Share an inspiring anecdote or future aspiration tied to the aspects of yourself discussed previously. Without resorting to clichés like ‘in conclusion,’ make sure this final thought leaves a lasting impression of optimism and enthusiasm for anyone reading about who you truly are!

Be Concise and Clear

In the art of self-introduction, brevity is indeed the soul of wit. Clear communication is key when you’re describing yourself. You want to be concise and get straight to the point, avoiding unnecessary fluff that only serves to muddle your message.

Your introduction should not be a rambling monologue but rather a precise snapshot that encapsulates who you are. Brevity benefits both you and your audience; it prevents over-explanation while maintaining interest. Make sure every word counts by focusing on relevant details about yourself.

See, being clear and concise doesn’t mean lacking in substance. On the contrary, it means choosing words wisely for maximum impact. Remember, people don’t have time to decipher complicated narratives – they prefer straightforwardness which brings out your confidence and persuasiveness.

A well-crafted description reveals more than just what’s on the surface; it conveys your character and values in a few compelling sentences. And as you practice this skill of effective brevity, you’ll find that people are drawn towards your clarity – they appreciate knowing exactly who they’re dealing with.

So don’t underestimate the power of being brief yet comprehensive when introducing yourself! It truly makes all the difference in how others perceive you.

Use First-Person Perspective

Using a first-person perspective in your introduction can make a world of difference, as it creates an immediate connection with your audience, making them feel as if they’re conversing directly with you. This is where the concept of ‘Personal Pronoun Usage’ comes into play. It’s all about using words like “I”, “me” or “myself”. These pronouns help to paint a vivid picture of you in the reader’s mind.

The following table illustrates how different writing styles utilize personal pronouns:

Remember that your writing should be confident and persuasive. Make bold statements about yourself while maintaining humility and authenticity. Don’t shy away from showcasing your achievements but always remember to balance it out by acknowledging areas for improvement.

Having done this, you have successfully painted a comprehensive picture of who you are without sounding boastful or insincere. This approach will undoubtedly leave an impression on whoever reads your description!

Avoid Over-Exaggerating

While crafting your personal introduction, you shouldn’t get carried away with hyperboles and exaggerations. For instance, claiming that you’re the ‘best salesperson in the world’ sounds pretentious and might make your audience doubt your credibility. Instead, you could say ‘I have consistently exceeded my sales targets by over 20% for the past five years’.

This is more specific and believable, enhancing your image as a reliable professional.

To avoid falling into exaggeration pitfalls and negatively impacting your credibility, remember these guidelines:

• Be factual: Stick to what’s true about yourself. If you’re good at something, it’s enough to describe it without embellishing.
• Use evidence: Concrete examples of achievements or experiences are more convincing than general statements.
• Show modesty: It’s okay to be proud of your accomplishments but maintain humility.

Remember that honesty is crucial when describing yourself – people appreciate authenticity over grandiose claims. Over-exaggeration not only makes you seem less credible but also creates unrealistic expectations that can be hard to meet later on. So keep it real, truthful, and grounded in facts; this approach will earn respect from others while still showcasing your skills effectively.

Proofread and Edit

Don’t rush to share your personal introduction just yet; take some time to proofread and edit it thoroughly.

You’ve poured out your heart, soul, and character traits onto paper, but before you hit ‘send,’ pause. The Grammar Importance mustn’t be overlooked. A single misplaced comma or misspelled word can alter the perception others have of you.

Begin by reading through your paragraph several times. Look for any glaring typos or punctuation errors that could cause confusion or misinterpretation. Try using editing techniques like reading aloud – this often makes mistakes stand out more clearly.

Next, focus on the flow of your writing. Does each sentence smoothly transition into the next? Are there any awkward phrases that disrupt the rhythm? If so, rework these parts until they’re as polished as possible.

Lastly, consider having a trusted friend or mentor review your work. They might spot something you missed and provide valuable feedback from an outsider’s perspective.

Remember, this paragraph is a reflection of yourself – it should be as near-perfect as possible. So take a deep breath, dive back in with fresh eyes, and make every word count!

This meticulous attention to detail will showcase not only who you are but also how much you value presenting yourself professionally.

Seek Feedback

It’s crucial to seek feedback on your personal introduction as a surprising 59% of recruiters deem grammar mistakes more serious than typos, according to a study by CareerBuilder. Feedback methods can vary, but each one is an opportunity for growth and development.

You might consider asking a trusted friend or mentor, or even hiring a career coach. They can provide constructive criticism that will help you refine your self-description.

Constructive criticism is vital in this process because it focuses not only on what needs improvement but also guides you on how to make those improvements. It provides specific suggestions for changes and helps identify areas where you excel and where there may be room for development.

When receiving feedback, take note of the comments made about your strengths and areas needing enhancement. Consider every piece of advice – even if it seems unflattering at first glance – as an opportunity to better present yourself both verbally and in writing. Remember that the aim here isn’t perfection; it’s progress towards creating an authentic yet persuasive portrait of who you are professionally.

So, embrace the critique with grace. Use it wisely to craft a compelling narrative that captures your unique skills and experiences accurately—making sure you stand out from the crowd.

Practice Regularly

Just like a musician rehearsing for a grand concert, you’ve got to practice your personal introduction regularly, honing each word and phrase until they resonate with the melody of your professional identity.

This exercise is not just about memorizing lines, but it’s about understanding and embodying the essence of who you are professionally.

Role-playing exercises can be an effective way to practice describing yourself. They allow you to assume different situations where you might need to introduce yourself – be it at a networking event, a job interview, or even at a social gathering. You’ll find this technique extremely helpful as it encourages adaptability and helps in refining your description based on varying contexts.

The importance of self-reflection in this process cannot be overstated. Take time out every day for introspective contemplation. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, achievements, failures, and aspirations. This deep dive into yourself will equip you with more authentic material to work with as you create that compelling paragraph about yourself.

Remember that proficiency comes with repetition. The more often you describe yourself confidently and authentically, the better you get at it. So keep practicing regularly – there’s no such thing as too much preparation when crafting an impressive first impression of who you are professionally.

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• Describe Your Personality Essay

How to Masterfully Describe Your Personality in an Essay

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

What's your personality type? Knowing your personality traits and the ability to describe them in written form will help you in all aspects of your life - from your first day in school until your last job. For instance, one practical application of such essays is to impress hiring managers with your cover letter and job interviews. Being able to answer the "tell me about yourself" query properly not only enables you to answer interview questions and explain why you fit the job description perfectly but also helps you navigate through your work-life and relationships with your co-workers.

Theory of Temperaments

• How to Describe Your Personality in a Paragraph Wi

Short Essay on My Personality

Sample essay on your personality, why is it not an a+ essay, what to consider when writing your analysis essay:.

• What Questions to Answer When Writing About Your P

What should be included in my personality essay?

• How can I intertwine society, understanding, and p
• How do I ensure the situations mentioned are refle

Your Portrait - Select the Key Characteristics

You don't necessarily need a personality test to know your personality. But how would you describe yourself? Talking about yourself may be hard. However, knowing yourself well is essential for profound communication skills and adaptability.

Every person has weaknesses in their personality as well. When writing your personality essay for your job application, for example, you can choose weaknesses that are unimportant to the position you're applying for, such as being shy or having limited experience. You can also include traits that you consider a weakness but can actually also be your strengths, like being self-critical or being competitive.

Theories on Personality

How does your personality develop over time? There are many explanations scattered around with different theories in various studies. One of them is the Theory of Temperaments.

This is the earliest known theory from Hippocrates. He divided personality based on four temperaments connected to bodily fluids he referred to as "humor."

Using Adjectives in Your Essay

Which descriptions fit you the best? Before you write your essay, remember that you should establish a bond between you and your reader. Using adjectives will help you in creating that connection. Adjectives are critical in expressing ourselves and how we relate with others. They help us explain and give specific information in our answers that will make others get to know us better.

Think of the words you associate with yourself the most or find synonyms you can use in your essay. You can take advantage of thesaurus sites online like WordHippo and Synonymy to properly convey your personality type. For example, you can talk about your conscientiousness or substitute it with simpler words like "dedicated" or "ethical" so your readers will easily understand what you mean.

How to Describe Your Personality in a Paragraph With Examples

When constructing a personality paragraph, it's imperative to identify and integrate aspects like values, knowledge, and behavior, to offer a rounded depiction of oneself.

Personality paragraph examples:

A well-rounded personality paragraph, brimming with real-life examples, not only describes traits but also the influences and motivations behind them, providing a more insightful glimpse into one’s character.

Crafting an authentic and introspective essay on my personality profile involves a meticulous exploration of self, allowing for a candid reflection on how I perceive and project myself.

To start, my personality essay introduction would offer a synopsis of my character, allowing a sneak peek into my temperament, beliefs, and capabilities.

Knowing how to describe your personality in an essay involves weaving a narrative that captures not only individual traits but also emotions, thoughts, abilities, and the influence of family and surroundings on one's personality.

A short personality essay should also depict my interactions with individuals, illustrating how relationships have shaped and continue to mold my character. Describing my personality essay entails delving into factual and nuanced reflections of my personal experiences and interactions, providing a multidimensional view of my individuality.

When considering how to write an essay about your personality, combining self-awareness with an honest and engaging narrative is crucial for creating a resonant and comprehensive portrayal.

Your peers may ask you to make an essay to prepare you for a situation when you will have to reply to the hiring managers' requests. An example of this essay is as follows:

Each individual has a personality that is unique to them, making them irreplaceable. This makes humans interesting because everyone has different experiences and reasons why they behave and feel the way they do. The three traits that describe me the most are as follows: honest, reliable, and ambitious.

I live by a strict code of honesty. Not only was I raised by my parents to always tell the truth but also because it became an integral part of my life that I can't imagine myself trying to lie. Being honest helped me keep my relationships with my family and friends strong. This is because, at any time that we have misunderstandings, we talk about it openly.

Me being honest contributes to my reliability. When I give someone my word, I always intend to keep it. I apply this philosophy at all times: from small routine tasks to critical projects on which many things depend.

I am an ambitious person, as I want to achieve all the goals that I set in life. New accomplishments make me extremely happy and help me to dream big!

The sample essay you have just read could be assessed with a B- grade. But how to make it an A+?

To be fair, the essay's introduction is rather good. It talks on the topic from a general perspective, narrowing it down to the essay's focus – the author's personality. However, to make this introductory paragraph a brilliant one, think of a more gradual transition, for instance:

"There are no two personalities that are the same, and that's the beauty of it! I always like seeing myself as a part of a shining galaxy, spreading my unique light among other fellow stars. If I think about what character traits make up my bright shine, the three major pillars that come to mind are honesty, reliability, and a great deal of ambition."

This introduction uses metaphors and will definitely be remembered by the reader!

The sample essay's main body also has parts that require improvement. While the paragraph about reliability has a connection with the previous one, the part where the author talks about ambition seems disconnected. Adding just one sentence could fix this issue:

"Speaking of grand projects, I have plenty – after all, I'm an ambitious person."

Also, it is highly advisable to elaborate on the topic. In this essay, for example, the author could share some plans or dreams with the reader, making the story more personal and relatable.

Finally, the sample essay is lacking a conclusion. Summarize what you've already said and make a memorable statement to end your essay, for example:

"As you can see, I am quite a mix. As challenging as being honest, reliable, and ambitious at the same time may be, I try to make the best of it!"

Tips on Creating a Brilliant Essay About Yourself

Writing an essay about your personality can be tough, especially if you're an introvert, as it's the same as showing your inner self to other people. In fact, you will need to brainstorm and explain why you have that personality trait - how you acquired it and why you're keeping it with you until now.

• Organization. Make a draft about what you want to talk about in your essay.
• Structure. Don't forget to write a great introduction, with the body supporting your points, and end it with a proper conclusion.
• Honesty. Talk about your real personality traits while highlighting the positive ones. Don't write traits you don't have.

What Questions to Answer When Writing About Your Personality:

1. What are the personality traits I have that I am most proud of?

Focus on traits that help make you an asset to anyone you work with. Play up your extraversion and downplay any neuroticism.

2. Why do I have these traits, and do I plan to keep them?

Expound on how you acquired these traits - were they because you were raised with these manners, or is it because of an experience you had where you realized these behaviors help? Make your readers relate to your encounters.

3. How will these traits help me in my daily life and at my workplace?

Elaborate on why you're proud of these traits and how they make your relationships flourish. Give emphasis to behaviors that assist you in having a better relationship with people. After all, teamwork is all about people's personalities working well together.

Find it difficult to describe your personality in an essay? You can rely on Studybay!

Our experts help students with:

• essay writing
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Your personality essay should include a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Begin with a general introduction of yourself, delve deeper into specific traits, values, and experiences in the body, and summarize the main points in the conclusion. Integrate real-life examples and facts to add depth and authenticity to your essay.

How can I intertwine society, understanding, and problems in an essay about my personality?

When writing an essay on my personality, briefly discuss how societal issues and what you learn from them shape your character and actions. For instance, mention a specific societal problem that has influenced your views, values, or behavior, illustrating the interconnectedness of your personality and your environment in a concise manner.

How do I ensure the situations mentioned are reflective of my personality in an essay about my personality type?

In your paper, outline your personality type clearly and illustrate with a situation showing its impact and interaction with society. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how your personality perceives and responds to societal contexts, ensuring a cohesive and authentic representation in your essay.

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I studied sociology and marketing at Europa-Universität Viadrina (Germany) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal). When I was a sophomore, back in 2018, I decided to put what I've learned into practice, so I got my first job in digital marketing. I currently work in the content marketing department at Studybay, building strong, effective, and respectful communication between the platform and our clients.

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A well explained article here. I'm happy. Regards!

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This article is very helpful, in my opinion. I was having trouble with "how do you know your personality?" essay and this helped me a lot. 🙌

What a great article! This gave me a lot of ideas for how to begin an essay about myself and my personality.

💭 To be honest, I always find it hard to write a personality paragraph. At school, it's tough for me to figure out which of my qualities to stress, and it's difficult to stay honest and fair.

Discussing how can I describe my personality in a paragraph examples made me reflect on my own experiences. School has always pushed me to explore this but it’s never been easy.

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10 Personal Statement Essay Examples That Worked

What’s covered:, what is a personal statement.

• Essay 1: Summer Program
• Essay 2: Being Bangladeshi-American
• Essay 3: Why Medicine
• Essay 4: Love of Writing
• Essay 5: Starting a Fire
• Essay 6: Dedicating a Track
• Essay 7: Body Image and Eating Disorders
• Essay 8: Becoming a Coach
• Essay 9: Eritrea
• Essay 10: Journaling
• Is Your Personal Statement Strong Enough?

Your personal statement is any essay that you must write for your main application, such as the Common App Essay , University of California Essays , or Coalition Application Essay . This type of essay focuses on your unique experiences, ideas, or beliefs that may not be discussed throughout the rest of your application. This essay should be an opportunity for the admissions officers to get to know you better and give them a glimpse into who you really are.

In this post, we will share 10 different personal statements that were all written by real students. We will also provide commentary on what each essay did well and where there is room for improvement, so you can make your personal statement as strong as possible!

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Personal Statement Examples

Essay example #1: exchange program.

The twisting roads, ornate mosaics, and fragrant scent of freshly ground spices had been so foreign at first. Now in my fifth week of the SNYI-L summer exchange program in Morocco, I felt more comfortable in the city. With a bag full of pastries from the market, I navigated to a bus stop, paid the fare, and began the trip back to my host family’s house. It was hard to believe that only a few years earlier my mom was worried about letting me travel around my home city on my own, let alone a place that I had only lived in for a few weeks. While I had been on a journey towards self-sufficiency and independence for a few years now, it was Morocco that pushed me to become the confident, self-reflective person that I am today.

As a child, my parents pressured me to achieve perfect grades, master my swim strokes, and discover interesting hobbies like playing the oboe and learning to pick locks. I felt compelled to live my life according to their wishes. Of course, this pressure was not a wholly negative factor in my life –– you might even call it support. However, the constant presence of my parents’ hopes for me overcame my own sense of desire and led me to become quite dependent on them. I pushed myself to get straight A’s, complied with years of oboe lessons, and dutifully attended hours of swim practice after school. Despite all these achievements, I felt like I had no sense of self beyond my drive for success. I had always been expected to succeed on the path they had defined. However, this path was interrupted seven years after my parents’ divorce when my dad moved across the country to Oregon.

I missed my dad’s close presence, but I loved my new sense of freedom. My parents’ separation allowed me the space to explore my own strengths and interests as each of them became individually busier. As early as middle school, I was riding the light rail train by myself, reading maps to get myself home, and applying to special academic programs without urging from my parents. Even as I took more initiatives on my own, my parents both continued to see me as somewhat immature. All of that changed three years ago, when I applied and was accepted to the SNYI-L summer exchange program in Morocco. I would be studying Arabic and learning my way around the city of Marrakesh. Although I think my parents were a little surprised when I told them my news, the addition of a fully-funded scholarship convinced them to let me go.

I lived with a host family in Marrakesh and learned that they, too, had high expectations for me. I didn’t know a word of Arabic, and although my host parents and one brother spoke good English, they knew I was there to learn. If I messed up, they patiently corrected me but refused to let me fall into the easy pattern of speaking English just as I did at home. Just as I had when I was younger, I felt pressured and stressed about meeting their expectations. However, one day, as I strolled through the bustling market square after successfully bargaining with one of the street vendors, I realized my mistake. My host family wasn’t being unfair by making me fumble through Arabic. I had applied for this trip, and I had committed to the intensive language study. My host family’s rules about speaking Arabic at home had not been to fulfill their expectations for me, but to help me fulfill my expectations for myself. Similarly, the pressure my parents had put on me as a child had come out of love and their hopes for me, not out of a desire to crush my individuality.

As my bus drove through the still-bustling market square and past the medieval Ben-Youssef madrasa, I realized that becoming independent was a process, not an event. I thought that my parents’ separation when I was ten had been the one experience that would transform me into a self-motivated and autonomous person. It did, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t still have room to grow. Now, although I am even more self-sufficient than I was three years ago, I try to approach every experience with the expectation that it will change me. It’s still difficult, but I understand that just because growth can be uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s not important.

What the Essay Did Well

This is a nice essay because it delves into particular character trait of the student and how it has been shaped and matured over time. Although it doesn’t focus the essay around a specific anecdote, the essay is still successful because it is centered around this student’s independence. This is a nice approach for a personal statement: highlight a particular trait of yours and explore how it has grown with you.

The ideas in this essay are universal to growing up—living up to parents’ expectations, yearning for freedom, and coming to terms with reality—but it feels unique to the student because of the inclusion of details specific to them. Including their oboe lessons, the experience of riding the light rail by themselves, and the negotiations with a street vendor helps show the reader what these common tropes of growing up looked like for them personally. 

Another strength of the essay is the level of self-reflection included throughout the piece. Since there is no central anecdote tying everything together, an essay about a character trait is only successful when you deeply reflect on how you felt, where you made mistakes, and how that trait impacts your life. The author includes reflection in sentences like “ I felt like I had no sense of self beyond my drive for success, ” and “ I understand that just because growth can be uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s not important. ” These sentences help us see how the student was impacted and what their point of view is.

What Could Be Improved

The largest change this essay would benefit from is to show not tell. The platitude you have heard a million times no doubt, but for good reason. This essay heavily relies on telling the reader what occurred, making us less engaged as the entire reading experience feels more passive. If the student had shown us what happens though, it keeps the reader tied to the action and makes them feel like they are there with the student, making it much more enjoyable to read. 

For example, they tell us about the pressure to succeed their parents placed on them: “ I pushed myself to get straight A’s, complied with years of oboe lessons, and dutifully attended hours of swim practice after school.”  They could have shown us what that pressure looked like with a sentence like this: “ My stomach turned somersaults as my rattling knee thumped against the desk before every test, scared to get anything less than a 95. For five years the painful squawk of the oboe only reminded me of my parents’ claps and whistles at my concerts. I mastered the butterfly, backstroke, and freestyle, fighting against the anchor of their expectations threatening to pull me down.”

If the student had gone through their essay and applied this exercise of bringing more detail and colorful language to sentences that tell the reader what happened, the essay would be really great. 

Table of Contents

Essay Example #2: Being Bangladeshi-American

Life before was good: verdant forests, sumptuous curries, and a devoted family.

Then, my family abandoned our comfortable life in Bangladesh for a chance at the American dream in Los Angeles. Within our first year, my father was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He lost his battle three weeks before my sixth birthday. Facing a new country without the steady presence of my father, we were vulnerable — prisoners of hardship in the land of the free. We resettled in the Bronx, in my uncle’s renovated basement. It was meant to be our refuge, but I felt more displaced than ever. Gone were the high-rise condos of West L.A.; instead, government projects towered over the neighborhood. Pedestrians no longer smiled and greeted me; the atmosphere was hostile, even toxic. Schoolkids were quick to pick on those they saw as weak or foreign, hurling harsh words I’d never heard before.

Meanwhile, my family began integrating into the local Bangladeshi community. I struggled to understand those who shared my heritage. Bangladeshi mothers stayed home while fathers drove cabs and sold fruit by the roadside — painful societal positions. Riding on crosstown buses or walking home from school, I began to internalize these disparities. During my fleeting encounters with affluent Upper East Siders, I saw kids my age with nannies, parents who wore suits to work, and luxurious apartments with spectacular views. Most took cabs to their destinations: cabs that Bangladeshis drove. I watched the mundane moments of their lives with longing, aching to plant myself in their shoes. Shame prickled down my spine. I distanced myself from my heritage, rejecting the traditional panjabis worn on Eid and refusing the torkari we ate for dinner every day. 

As I grappled with my relationship with the Bangladeshi community, I turned my attention to helping my Bronx community by pursuing an internship with Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. I handled desk work and took calls, spending the bulk of my time actively listening to the hardships constituents faced — everything from a veteran stripped of his benefits to a grandmother unable to support her bedridden grandchild.

I’d never exposed myself to stories like these, and now I was the first to hear them. As an intern, I could only assist in what felt like the small ways — pointing out local job offerings, printing information on free ESL classes, reaching out to non-profits. But to a community facing an onslaught of intense struggles, I realized that something as small as these actions could have vast impacts. Seeing the immediate consequences of my actions inspired me. Throughout that summer, I internalized my community’s daily challenges in a new light. I began to stop seeing the prevalent underemployment and cramped living quarters less as sources of shame. Instead, I saw them as realities that had to be acknowledged, but could ultimately be remedied. I also realized the benefits of the Bangladeshi culture I had been so ashamed of. My Bangla language skills were an asset to the office, and my understanding of Bangladeshi etiquette allowed for smooth communication between office staff and its constituents. As I helped my neighbors navigate city services, I saw my heritage with pride — a perspective I never expected to have.

I can now appreciate the value of my unique culture and background, and of living with less. This perspective offers room for progress, community integration, and a future worth fighting for. My time with Assemblyman Sepulveda’s office taught me that I can be a change agent in enabling this progression. Far from being ashamed of my community, I want to someday return to local politics in the Bronx to continue helping others access the American Dream. I hope to help my community appreciate the opportunity to make progress together. By embracing reality, I learned to live it. Along the way, I discovered one thing: life is good, but we can make it better.

This student’s passion for social justice and civic duty shines through in this essay because of how honest it is. Sharing their personal experience with immigrating, moving around, being an outsider, and finding a community allows us to see the hardships this student has faced and builds empathy towards their situation. However, what really makes it strong is that they go beyond describing the difficulties they faced and explain the mental impact it had on them as a child: Shame prickled down my spine. I distanced myself from my heritage, rejecting the traditional panjabis worn on Eid and refusing the torkari we ate for dinner every day. 

The rejection of their culture presented at the beginning of the essay creates a nice juxtaposition with the student’s view in the latter half of the essay and helps demonstrate how they have matured. They use their experience interning as a way to delve into a change in their thought process about their culture and show how their passion for social justice began. Using this experience as a mechanism to explore their thoughts and feelings is an excellent example of how items that are included elsewhere on your application should be incorporated into your essay.

This essay prioritizes emotions and personal views over specific anecdotes. Although there are details and certain moments incorporated throughout to emphasize the author’s points, the main focus remains on the student and how they grapple with their culture and identity.  

One area for improvement is the conclusion. Although the forward-looking approach is a nice way to end an essay focused on social justice, it would be nice to include more details and imagery in the conclusion. How does the student want to help their community? What government position do they see themselves holding one day? 

A more impactful ending might look like the student walking into their office at the New York City Housing Authority in 15 years and looking at the plans to build a new development in the Bronx just blocks away from where the grew up that would provide quality housing to people in their Bangladeshi community. They would smile while thinking about how far they have come from that young kid who used to be ashamed of their culture. 

Essay Example #3: Why Medicine

I took my first trip to China to visit my cousin Anna in July of 2014. Distance had kept us apart, but when we were together, we fell into all of our old inside jokes and caught up on each other’s lives. Her sparkling personality and optimistic attitude always brought a smile to my face. This time, however, my heart broke when I saw the effects of her brain cancer; she had suffered from a stroke that paralyzed her left side. She was still herself in many ways, but I could see that the damage to her brain made things difficult for her. I stayed by her every day, providing the support she needed, whether assisting her with eating and drinking, reading to her, or just watching “Friends.” During my flight back home, sorrow and helplessness overwhelmed me. Would I ever see Anna again? Could I have done more to make Anna comfortable? I wished I could stay in China longer to care for her. As I deplaned, I wondered if I could transform my grief to help other children and teenagers in the US who suffered as Anna did.

The day after I got home, as jet lag dragged me awake a few minutes after midnight, I remembered hearing about the Family Reach Foundation (FRF) and its work with children going through treatments at the local hospital and their families. I began volunteering in the FRF’s Children’s Activity Room, where I play with children battling cancer. Volunteering has both made me appreciate my own health and also cherish the new relationships I build with the children and families. We play sports, make figures out of playdoh, and dress up. When they take on the roles of firefighters or fairies, we all get caught up in the game; for that time, they forget the sanitized, stark, impersonal walls of the pediatric oncology ward. Building close relationships with them and seeing them giggle and laugh is so rewarding — I love watching them grow and get better throughout their course of treatment.

Hearing from the parents about their children’s condition and seeing the children recover inspired me to consider medical research. To get started, I enrolled in a summer collegelevel course in Abnormal Psychology. There I worked with Catelyn, a rising college senior, on a data analysis project regarding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Together, we examined the neurological etiology of DID by studying four fMRI and PET cases. I fell in love with gathering data and analyzing the results and was amazed by our final product: several stunning brain images showcasing the areas of hyper and hypoactivity in brains affected by DID. Desire quickly followed my amazement — I want to continue this project and study more brains. Their complexity, delicacy, and importance to every aspect of life fascinate me. Successfully completing this research project gave me a sense of hope; I know I am capable of participating in a large scale research project and potentially making a difference in someone else’s life through my research.

Anna’s diagnosis inspired me to begin volunteering at FRF; from there, I discovered my desire to help people further by contributing to medical research. As my research interest blossomed, I realized that it’s no coincidence that I want to study brains—after all, Anna suffered from brain cancer. Reflecting on these experiences this past year and a half, I see that everything I’ve done is connected. Sadly, a few months after I returned from China, Anna passed away. I am still sad, but as I run a toy truck across the floor and watch one of the little patients’ eyes light up, I imagine that she would be proud of my commitment to pursue medicine and study the brain.

This essay has a very strong emotional core that tugs at the heart strings and makes the reader feel invested. Writing about sickness can be difficult and doesn’t always belong in a personal statement, but in this case it works well because the focus is on how this student cared for her cousin and dealt with the grief and emotions surrounding her condition. Writing about the compassion she showed and the doubts and concerns that filled her mind keeps the focus on the author and her personality. 

This continues when she again discusses the activities she did with the kids at FRF and the personal reflection this experience allowed her to have. For example, she writes: Volunteering has both made me appreciate my own health and also cherish the new relationships I build with the children and families. We play sports, make figures out of playdoh, and dress up.

Concluding the essay with the sad story of her cousin’s passing brings the essay full circle and returns to the emotional heart of the piece to once again build a connection with the reader. However, it finishes on a hopeful note and demonstrates how this student has been able to turn a tragic experience into a source of lifelong inspiration. 

One thing this essay should be cognizant of is that personal statements should not read as summaries of your extracurricular resume. Although this essay doesn’t fully fall into that trap, it does describe two key extracurriculars the student participated in. However, the inclusion of such a strong emotional core running throughout the essay helps keep the focus on the student and her thoughts and feelings during these activities.

To avoid making this mistake, make sure you have a common thread running through your essay and the extracurriculars provide support to the story you are trying to tell, rather than crafting a story around your activities. And, as this essay does, make sure there is lots of personal reflection and feelings weaved throughout to focus attention to you rather than your extracurriculars. 

Essay Example #4: Love of Writing

“I want to be a writer.” This had been my answer to every youthful discussion with the adults in my life about what I would do when I grew up. As early as elementary school, I remember reading my writing pieces aloud to an audience at “Author of the Month” ceremonies. Bearing this goal in mind, and hoping to gain some valuable experience, I signed up for a journalism class during my freshman year. Despite my love for writing, I initially found myself uninterested in the subject and I struggled to enjoy the class. When I thought of writing, I imagined lyrical prose, profound poetry, and thrilling plot lines. Journalism required a laconic style and orderly structure, and I found my teacher’s assignments formulaic and dull. That class shook my confidence as a writer. I was uncertain if I should continue in it for the rest of my high school career.

Despite my misgivings, I decided that I couldn’t make a final decision on whether to quit journalism until I had some experience working for a paper outside of the classroom. The following year, I applied to be a staff reporter on our school newspaper. I hoped this would help me become more self-driven and creative, rather than merely writing articles that my teacher assigned. To my surprise, my time on staff was worlds away from what I experienced in the journalism class. Although I was unaccustomed to working in a fast-paced environment and initially found it burdensome to research and complete high-quality stories in a relatively short amount of time, I also found it exciting. I enjoyed learning more about topics and events on campus that I did not know much about; some of my stories that I covered in my first semester concerned a chess tournament, a food drive, and a Spanish immersion party. I relished in the freedom I had to explore and learn, and to write more independently than I could in a classroom.

Although I enjoyed many aspects of working for the paper immediately, reporting also pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I am a shy person, and speaking with people I did not know intimidated me. During my first interview, I met with the basketball coach to prepare for a story about the team’s winning streak. As I approached his office, I felt everything from my toes to my tongue freeze into a solid block, and I could hardly get out my opening questions. Fortunately, the coach was very kind and helped me through the conversation. Encouraged, I prepared for my next interview with more confidence. After a few weeks of practice, I even started to look forward to interviewing people on campus. That first journalism class may have bored me, but even if journalism in practice was challenging, it was anything but tedious.

Over the course of that year, I grew to love writing for our school newspaper. Reporting made me aware of my surroundings, and made me want to know more about current events on campus and in the town where I grew up. By interacting with people all over campus, I came to understand the breadth of individuals and communities that make up my high school. I felt far more connected to diverse parts of my school through my work as a journalist, and I realized that journalism gave me a window into seeing beyond my own experiences. The style of news writing may be different from what I used to think “writing” meant, but I learned that I can still derive exciting plots from events that may have gone unnoticed if not for my stories. I no longer struggle to approach others, and truly enjoy getting to know people and recognizing their accomplishments through my writing. Becoming a writer may be a difficult path, but it is as rewarding as I hoped when I was young.

This essay is clearly structured in a manner that makes it flow very nicely and contributes to its success. It starts with a quote to draw in the reader and show this student’s life-long passion for writing. Then it addresses the challenges of facing new, unfamiliar territory and how this student overcame it. Finally, it concludes by reflecting on this eye-opening experience and a nod to their younger self from the introduction. Having a well-thought out and sequential structure with clear transitions makes it extremely easy for the reader to follow along and take away the main idea.

Another positive aspect of the essay is the use of strong and expressive language. Sentences like “ When I thought of writing, I imagined lyrical prose, profound poetry, and thrilling plot lines ” stand out because of the intentional use of words like “lyrical”, “profound”, and “thrilling” to convey the student’s love of writing. The author also uses an active voice to capture the readers’ attention and keep us engaged. They rely on their language and diction to reveal details to the reader, for instance saying “ I felt everything from my toes to my tongue freeze into a solid block ” to describe feeling nervous.

This essay is already very strong, so there isn’t much that needs to be changed. One thing that could take the essay from great to outstanding would be to throw in more quotes, internal dialogue, and sensory descriptors.

It would be nice to see the nerves they felt interviewing the coach by including dialogue like “ Um…I want to interview you about…uh…”.  They could have shown their original distaste for journalism by narrating the thoughts running through their head. The fast-paced environment of their newspaper could have come to life with descriptions about the clacking of keyboards and the whirl of people running around laying out articles.

Essay Example #5: Starting a Fire

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the garb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

This student is an excellent writer, which allows a simple story to be outstandingly compelling. The author articulates her points beautifully and creatively through her immense use of details and figurative language. Lines like “a rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees,” and “rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers,” create vivid images that draw the reader in. 

The flowery and descriptive prose also contributes to the nice juxtaposition between the old Clara and the new Clara. The latter half of the essay contrasts elements of nature with music and writing to demonstrate how natural these interests are for her now. This sentence perfectly encapsulates the contrast she is trying to build: “It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive.”

In addition to being well-written, this essay is thematically cohesive. It begins with the simple introduction “Fire!” and ends with the following image: “When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.” This full-circle approach leaves readers satisfied and impressed.

There is very little this essay should change, however one thing to be cautious about is having an essay that is overly-descriptive. We know from the essay that this student likes to read and write, and depending on other elements of her application, it might make total sense to have such a flowery and ornate writing style. However, your personal statement needs to reflect your voice as well as your personality. If you would never use language like this in conversation or your writing, don’t put it in your personal statement. Make sure there is a balance between eloquence and your personal voice.

Essay Example #6: Dedicating a Track

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite. 

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin. 

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

This essay effectively conveys this student’s compassion for others, initiative, and determination—all great qualities to exemplify in a personal statement!

Although they rely on telling us a lot of what happened up until the board meeting, the use of running a race (their passion) as a metaphor for public speaking provides a lot of insight into the fear that this student overcame to work towards something bigger than themself. Comparing a podium to the starting line, the audience to the track, and silence to the gunshot is a nice way of demonstrating this student’s passion for cross country running without making that the focus of the story.

The essay does a nice job of coming full circle at the end by explaining what the quote from the beginning meant to them after this experience. Without explicitly saying “ I now know that what Stark actually meant is…” they rely on the strength of their argument above to make it obvious to the reader what it means to get beat but not lose. 

One of the biggest areas of improvement in the intro, however, is how the essay tells us Stark’s impact rather than showing us: His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The writer could’ve helped us feel a stronger emotional connection to Stark if they had included examples of Stark’s qualities, rather than explicitly stating them. For example, they could’ve written something like: Stark was the kind of person who would give you gas money if you told him your parents couldn’t afford to pick you up from practice. And he actually did that—several times. At track meets, alumni regularly would come talk to him and tell him how he’d changed their lives. Before Stark, I was ambivalent about running and was on the JV team, but his encouragement motivated me to run longer and harder and eventually make varsity. Because of him, I approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

Essay Example #7: Body Image and Eating Disorders

I press the “discover” button on my Instagram app, hoping to find enticing pictures to satisfy my boredom. Scrolling through, I see funny videos and mouth-watering pictures of food. However, one image stops me immediately. A fit teenage girl with a “perfect body” relaxes in a bikini on a beach. Beneath it, I see a slew of flattering comments. I shake with disapproval over the image’s unrealistic quality. However, part of me still wants to have a body like hers so that others will make similar comments to me.

I would like to resolve a silent issue that harms many teenagers and adults: negative self image and low self-esteem in a world where social media shapes how people view each other. When people see the façades others wear to create an “ideal” image, they can develop poor thought patterns rooted in negative self-talk. The constant comparisons to “perfect” others make people feel small. In this new digital age, it is hard to distinguish authentic from artificial representations.

When I was 11, I developed anorexia nervosa. Though I was already thin, I wanted to be skinny like the models that I saw on the magazine covers on the grocery store stands. Little did I know that those models probably also suffered from disorders, and that photoshop erased their flaws. I preferred being underweight to being healthy. No matter how little I ate or how thin I was, I always thought that I was too fat. I became obsessed with the number on the scale and would try to eat the least that I could without my parents urging me to take more. Fortunately, I stopped engaging in anorexic behaviors before middle school. However, my underlying mental habits did not change. The images that had provoked my disorder in the first place were still a constant presence in my life.

By age 15, I was in recovery from anorexia, but suffered from depression. While I used to only compare myself to models, the growth of social media meant I also compared myself to my friends and acquaintances. I felt left out when I saw my friends’ excitement about lake trips they had taken without me. As I scrolled past endless photos of my flawless, thin classmates with hundreds of likes and affirming comments, I felt my jealousy spiral. I wanted to be admired and loved by other people too. However, I felt that I could never be enough. I began to hate the way that I looked, and felt nothing in my life was good enough. I wanted to be called “perfect” and “body goals,” so I tried to only post at certain times of day to maximize my “likes.” When that didn’t work, I started to feel too anxious to post anything at all.  

Body image insecurities and social media comparisons affect thousands of people – men, women, children, and adults – every day. I am lucky – after a few months of my destructive social media habits, I came across a video that pointed out the illusory nature of social media; many Instagram posts only show off good things while people hide their flaws. I began going to therapy, and recovered from my depression. To address the problem of self-image and social media, we can all focus on what matters on the inside and not what is on the surface. As an effort to become healthy internally, I started a club at my school to promote clean eating and radiating beauty from within. It has helped me grow in my confidence, and today I’m not afraid to show others my struggles by sharing my experience with eating disorders. Someday, I hope to make this club a national organization to help teenagers and adults across the country. I support the idea of body positivity and embracing difference, not “perfection.” After all, how can we be ourselves if we all look the same?

This essay covers the difficult topics of eating disorders and mental health. If you’re thinking about covering similar topics in your essay, we recommend reading our post Should You Talk About Mental Health in College Essays?

The short answer is that, yes, you can talk about mental health, but it can be risky. If you do go that route, it’s important to focus on what you learned from the experience.

The strength of this essay is the student’s vulnerability, in excerpts such as this: I wanted to be admired and loved by other people too. However, I felt that I could never be enough. I began to hate the way that I looked, and felt nothing in my life was good enough. I wanted to be called “perfect” and “body goals,” so I tried to only post at certain times of day to maximize my “likes.”

The student goes on to share how they recovered from their depression through an eye-opening video and therapy sessions, and they’re now helping others find their self-worth as well. It’s great that this essay looks towards the future and shares the writer’s goals of making their club a national organization; we can see their ambition and compassion.

The main weakness of this essay is that it doesn’t focus enough on their recovery process, which is arguably the most important part. They could’ve told us more about the video they watched or the process of starting their club and the interactions they’ve had with other members. Especially when sharing such a vulnerable topic, there should be vulnerability in the recovery process too. That way, the reader can fully appreciate all that this student has overcome.

Essay Example #8: Becoming a Coach

”Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one.

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we competed with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

This essay begins with an in-the-moment narrative that really illustrates the chaos of looking for a coach last-minute. We feel the writer’s emotions, particularly her dejectedness, at not being able to compete. Starting an essay in media res  is a great way to capture the attention of your readers and build anticipation for what comes next.

Through this essay, we can see how gutsy and determined the student is in deciding to become a coach themselves. She shows us these characteristics through their actions, rather than explicitly telling us: To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side.  Also, by discussing the opposition she faced and how it affected her, the student is open and vulnerable about the reality of the situation.

The essay comes full circle as the author recalls the frantic situations in seeking out a coach, but this is no longer a concern for them and their team. Overall, this essay is extremely effective in painting this student as mature, bold, and compassionate.

The biggest thing this essay needs to work on is showing not telling. Throughout the essay, the student tells us that she “emerged with new knowledge and confidence,” she “grew unsure of her own abilities,” and she “refused to give up”. What we really want to know is what this looks like.

Instead of saying she “emerged with new knowledge and confidence” she should have shared how she taught a new move to a fellow team-member without hesitation. Rather than telling us she “grew unsure of her own abilities” she should have shown what that looked like by including her internal dialogue and rhetorical questions that ran through her mind. She could have demonstrated what “refusing to give up” looks like by explaining how she kept learning coaching techniques on her own, turned to a mentor for advice, or devised a plan to win over the trust of parents. 

Essay Example #9: Eritrea

No one knows where Eritrea is.

On the first day of school, for the past nine years, I would pensively stand in front of a class, a teacher, a stranger  waiting for the inevitable question: Where are you from?

I smile politely, my dimples accentuating my ambiguous features. “Eritrea,” I answer promptly and proudly. But I  am always prepared. Before their expression can deepen into confusion, ready to ask “where is that,” I elaborate,  perhaps with a fleeting hint of exasperation, “East Africa, near Ethiopia.”

Sometimes, I single out the key-shaped hermit nation on a map, stunning teachers who have “never had a student  from there!” Grinning, I resist the urge to remark, “You didn’t even know it existed until two minutes ago!”

Eritrea is to the East of Ethiopia, its arid coastline clutches the lucrative Red Sea. Battle scars litter the ancient  streets – the colonial Italian architecture lathered with bullet holes, the mosques mangled with mortar shells.  Originally part of the world’s first Christian kingdom, Eritrea passed through the hands of colonial Italy, Britain, and  Ethiopia for over a century, until a bloody thirty year war of Independence liberated us.

But these are facts that anyone can know with a quick Google search. These are facts that I have memorised and compounded, first from my Grandmother and now from pristine books  borrowed from the library.

No historical narrative, however, can adequately capture what Eritrea is.  No one knows the aroma of bushels of potatoes, tomatoes, and garlic – still covered in dirt – that leads you to the open-air market. No one knows the poignant scent of spices, arranged in orange piles reminiscent of compacted  dunes.  No one knows how to haggle stubborn herders for sheep and roosters for Christmas celebrations as deliberately as my mother. No one can replicate the perfect balance of spices in dorho and tsebhi as well as my grandmother,  her gnarly hands stirring the pot with ancient precision (chastising my clumsy knife work with the potatoes).  It’s impossible to learn when the injera is ready – the exact moment you have to lift the lid of the mogogo. Do it too  early (or too late) and the flatbread becomes mangled and gross. It is a sixth sense passed through matriarchal  lineages.

There are no sources that catalogue the scent of incense that wafts through the sunlit porch on St. Michael’s; no  films that can capture the luminescence of hundreds of flaming bonfires that fluoresce the sidewalks on Kudus  Yohannes, as excited children chant Ge’ez proverbs whose origin has been lost to time.  You cannot learn the familiarity of walking beneath the towering Gothic figure of the Enda Mariam Cathedral, the  crowds undulating to the ringing of the archaic bells.  I have memorized the sound of the rains hounding the metal roof during kiremti , the heat of the sun pounding  against the Toyota’s window as we sped down towards Ghinda , the opulent brilliance of the stars twinkling in a  sky untainted by light pollution, the scent of warm rolls of bani wafting through the streets at precisely 6 o’clock each day…

I fill my flimsy sketchbook with pictures from my memory. My hand remembers the shapes of the hibiscus drifting  in the wind, the outline of my grandmother (affectionately nicknamed a’abaye ) leaning over the garden, the bizarre architecture of the Fiat Tagliero .  I dice the vegetables with movements handed down from generations. My nose remembers the scent of frying garlic, the sourness of the warm tayta , the sharpness of the mit’mt’a …

This knowledge is intrinsic.  “I am Eritrean,” I repeat. “I am proud.”  Within me is an encyclopedia of history, culture, and idealism.

Eritrea is the coffee made from scratch, the spices drying in the sun, the priests and nuns. Eritrea is wise, filled with ambition, and unseen potential.  Eritrea isn’t a place, it’s an identity.

This is an exceptional essay that provides a window into this student’s culture that really makes their love for their country and heritage leap off the page. The sheer level of details and sensory descriptors this student is able to fit in this space makes the essay stand out. From the smells, to the traditions, sounds, and sights, the author encapsulates all the glory of Eritrea for the reader. 

The vivid images this student is able to create for the reader, whether it is having the tedious conversation with every teacher or cooking in their grandmother’s kitchen, transports us into the story and makes us feel like we are there in the moment with the student. This is a prime example of an essay that shows , not tells.

Besides the amazing imagery, the use of shorter paragraphs also contributes to how engaging this essay is. Employing this tactic helps break up the text to make it more readable and it isolates ideas so they stick out more than if they were enveloped in a large paragraph.

Overall, this is a really strong essay that brings to life this student’s heritage through its use of vivid imagery. This essay exemplifies what it means to show not tell in your writing, and it is a great example of how you can write an intimate personal statement without making yourself the primary focus of your essay. 

There is very little this essay should improve upon, but one thing the student might consider would be to inject more personal reflection into their response. Although we can clearly take away their deep love and passion for their homeland and culture, the essay would be a bit more personal if they included the emotions and feelings they associate with the various aspects of Eritrea. For example, the way their heart swells with pride when their grandmother praises their ability to cook a flatbread or the feeling of serenity when they hear the bells ring out from the cathedral. Including personal details as well as sensory ones would create a wonderful balance of imagery and reflection.

Essay Example #10: Journaling

Flipping past dozens of colorful entries in my journal, I arrive at the final blank sheet. I press my pen lightly to the page, barely scratching its surface to create a series of loops stringing together into sentences. Emotions spill out, and with their release, I feel lightness in my chest. The stream of thoughts slows as I reach the bottom of the page, and I gently close the cover of the worn book: another journal finished.

I add the journal to the stack of eleven books on my nightstand. Struck by the bittersweet sensation of closing a chapter of my life, I grab the notebook at the bottom of the pile to reminisce.

“I want to make a flying mushen to fly in space and your in it” – October 2008

Pulling back the cover of my first Tinkerbell-themed diary, the prompt “My Hopes and Dreams” captures my attention. Though “machine” is misspelled in my scribbled response, I see the beginnings of my past obsession with outer space. At the age of five, I tore through novels about the solar system, experimented with rockets built from plastic straws, and rented Space Shuttle films from Blockbuster to satisfy my curiosities. While I chased down answers to questions as limitless as the universe, I fell in love with learning. Eight journals later, the same relentless curiosity brought me to an airplane descending on San Francisco Bay.

“I wish I had infinite sunsets” – July 2019

I reach for the charcoal notepad near the top of the pile and open to the first page: my flight to the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. While I was excited to explore bioengineering, anxiety twisted in my stomach as I imagined my destination, unsure of whether I could overcome my shyness and connect with others.

With each new conversation, the sweat on my palms became less noticeable, and I met students from 23 different countries. Many of the moments where I challenged myself socially revolved around the third story deck of the Jerry house. A strange medley of English, Arabic, and Mandarin filled the summer air as my friends and I gathered there every evening, and dialogues at sunset soon became moments of bliss. In our conversations about cultural differences, the possibility of an afterlife, and the plausibility of far-fetched conspiracy theories, I learned to voice my opinion. As I was introduced to different viewpoints, these moments challenged my understanding of the world around me. In my final entries from California, I find excitement to learn from others and increased confidence, a tool that would later allow me to impact my community.

“The beauty in a tower of cans” – June 2020

Returning my gaze to the stack of journals, I stretch to take the floral-patterned book sitting on top. I flip through, eventually finding the beginnings of the organization I created during the outbreak of COVID-19. Since then, Door-to-Door Deliveries has woven its way through my entries and into reality, allowing me to aid high-risk populations through free grocery delivery.

With the confidence I gained the summer before, I took action when seeing others in need rather than letting my shyness hold me back. I reached out to local churches and senior centers to spread word of our services and interacted with customers through our website and social media pages. To further expand our impact, we held two food drives, and I mustered the courage to ask for donations door-to-door. In a tower of canned donations, I saw the value of reaching out to help others and realized my own potential to impact the world around me.

I delicately close the journal in my hands, smiling softly as the memories reappear, one after another. Reaching under my bed, I pull out a fresh notebook and open to its first sheet. I lightly press my pen to the page, “And so begins the next chapter…”

The structuring of this essay makes it easy and enjoyable to read. The student effectively organizes their various life experiences around their tower of journals, which centers the reader and makes the different stories easy to follow. Additionally, the student engages quotes from their journals—and unique formatting of the quotes—to signal that they are moving in time and show us which memory we should follow them to.

Thematically, the student uses the idea of shyness to connect the different memories they draw out of their journals. As the student describes their experiences overcoming shyness at the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and Door-to-Door Deliveries, this essay can be read as an Overcoming Obstacles essay.

At the end of this essay, readers are fully convinced that this student is dedicated (they have committed to journaling every day), thoughtful (journaling is a thoughtful process and, in the essay, the student reflects thoughtfully on the past), and motivated (they flew across the country for a summer program and started a business). These are definitely qualities admissions officers are looking for in applicants!

Although this essay is already exceptionally strong as it’s written, the first journal entry feels out of place compared to the other two entries that discuss the author’s shyness and determination. It works well for the essay to have an entry from when the student was younger to add some humor (with misspelled words) and nostalgia, but if the student had either connected the quote they chose to the idea of overcoming a fear present in the other two anecdotes or if they had picked a different quote all together related to their shyness, it would have made the entire essay feel more cohesive.

Where to Get Your Personal Statement Edited

Do you want feedback on your personal statement? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Next Step: Supplemental Essays

Essay Guides for Each School

How to Write a Stellar Extracurricular Activity College Essay

4 Tips for Writing a Diversity College Essay

How to Write the “Why This College” Essay

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

6 Smart Answers – “What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?”

Discussing your hobbies during an interview can help you showcase specific skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you enjoy playing chess, it demonstrates your strategic thinking abilities. Photography as a hobby can emphasize your attention to detail and creativity. Make sure the hobbies you mention are applicable to the skills required for the position. Related: Best Hobbies to Boost Your Resume (Desired Qualities)

Preparation for the Interview Question About Hobbies

1. assessing your hobbies and interests.

Start by making a list of your hobbies and interests. Think about what you enjoy doing in your free time, outside of work or school. Consider the skills and traits these activities showcase about you. For example, being part of a sports team can highlight your teamwork and leadership skills, while painting might showcase your creativity and attention to detail.

2. Aligning Hobbies with Job Requirements

Next, review the job description and make note of any skills or qualities the employer is looking for. Try to identify hobbies or interests that align with these requirements. For example, if the job requires problem-solving skills, you might mention that you enjoy solving crossword puzzles. This way, you are subtly demonstrating how your hobbies support the skills needed for the position.

Avoiding Oversharing

When discussing your hobbies and interests, it’s important to strike a balance between providing relevant information and oversharing. Avoid mentioning activities that might be considered controversial or polarizing, as this could potentially create an uncomfortable situation during the interview. Stick to talking about hobbies that demonstrate your relevant skills and qualities without becoming too personal.

Framework for Answering Hobbies and Interests Query

Formulating the answer.

• When answering the interview question, “What are your hobbies and interests?”, start by considering how your hobbies and interests align with the company’s culture and the specific position you’re applying for.
• Focus on activities that demonstrate skills and traits that would be advantageous in the role. For instance, if you’re applying for a position requiring teamwork and communication skills, you might talk about your involvement in a sports team or a community project.
• Take time to reflect on your hobbies and interests on a personal level. Think about activities that provide you with a sense of fulfillment and how they contribute to your overall personal growth. Pick the ones that are more relevant to the job you’re applying for and can generate a conversation during the interview.
• Structure your answer by highlighting the connection between your hobbies and interests and the job requirements. Be specific about your involvement in these activities and how they showcase your strengths.

Maintaining Authenticity

While it’s important to tailor your answer to the position and company, always be true to yourself and your interests. Sincerity will make for a more engaging conversation during the interview. Also, genuine enthusiasm for your hobbies and interests might just spark the interviewer’s curiosity and set you apart from other candidates.

Try not to oversell your interests or exaggerate your involvement in activities. Interviewers have a keen sense of detecting insincerity. If you’re asked further questions about your hobbies, you want to be able to confidently discuss your experiences without being caught off-guard.

Examples of Good Responses

Answers for creative roles.

When applying for a creative role, focus on highlighting your creative hobbies and interests that relate to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design position, you could say:

“In my free time, I like to experiment with digital illustration and create art for my online portfolio. I also enjoy visiting art galleries to stay inspired and keep up with the latest design trends.”

Another example for a content writer position:

“I’ve always loved writing, so I spend much of my free time working on my personal blog, where I share my thoughts on various subjects. I also attend local creative writing workshops to hone my skills and network with other writers.”

Answers for Technical Positions

For technical positions, your answer can focus on interests and hobbies that highlight your technical skills and knowledge. A sample answer for a software developer position might be:

“Outside of work, I enjoy working on personal programming projects in my favorite language, Python. I’ve developed several web applications and even contributed to some open-source projects. I’m also a part of a local coding club, where we collaborate and learn from each other.”

Another example for a data analyst role:

“I’m passionate about data visualization, and I often participate in data visualization challenges online to improve my skills. Apart from that, I love exploring new datasets to uncover interesting patterns and insights, which helps me stay sharp and informed about the industry.”

Answers for Leadership Roles

In leadership roles, you should focus on interests and hobbies that demonstrate your leadership skills, teamwork, and ability to inspire others. For example, for a project manager role:

“One of my favorite hobbies is volunteering as a team leader at local community events. This has helped me develop strong interpersonal and organization skills, as well as the ability to manage diverse groups of people.”

Another example for a sales manager position:

“In my free time, I enjoy participating in sports like basketball and soccer, where I often take on the role of team captain. These activities have taught me the importance of teamwork, motivation, and effective communication, which are vital when leading a successful sales team.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. can you give some examples of common hobbies and interests to mention in an interview.

• Reading about various topics
• Traveling to explore new cultures
• Volunteering for local charities or community events
• Running, cycling, or participating in team sports
• Cooking or experimenting with new recipes
• Learning a new language or musical instrument

2. How can I add a touch of humor while discussing my hobbies in an interview?

To add a touch of humor when discussing your hobbies, try:

• Sharing a funny or relatable story related to your hobby
• Mentioning an unusual or quirky aspect of your interest
• Using a light-hearted tone while discussing your hobby

Avoid going overboard with humor, as you should retain a professional tone throughout the interview.

3. What types of hobbies should I avoid mentioning during an interview?

Avoid mentioning hobbies that may be considered controversial, offensive, or unrelated to the job role, such as:

• Engaging in extreme sports or activities associated with high risks
• Partaking in activities with political or religious affiliations
• Gambling or activities that might raise ethical concerns

4. How can I share my life interests without sounding too personal or off-topic?

To share life interests without sounding too personal, focus on:

• Describing how your interests relate to the job or company culture
• Mentioning transferrable skills, like teamwork, acquired from your hobbies
• Keeping the conversation focused on how your interests can benefit you professionally

5. How do I show genuine passion for my hobbies and interests while answering?

To show genuine passion during your interview:

• Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of your interest
• Share achievements or milestones related to your hobby
• Explain why you’re passionate about your hobby, and how it has enriched your life

6. What is the purpose of interviewers asking about hobbies and how should I respond?

Interviewers ask about your hobbies to:

• Understand more about your personality
• Gain insight into your work-life balance
• Discover how you might fit into the company culture

When responding, focus on highlighting the positive aspects of your hobbies and their relevance to your professional life.

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71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Need to write a hobby essay? Looking for a catchy topic? Hobby essay titles of all kinds are collected in this article!

✍️ Thesis Statement about Hobbies

🏆 best hobby topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting hobby essay topics, 👍 hobby topic ideas for research papers, ❓ hobby related questions.

In this article, we’ve collected 45 hobby topic ideas for essays and research papers. They are suitable for college as well as high school students. You will also find here plenty of samples to help kickstart your writing.

When writing a hobby essay, you need to pay particular attention to your thesis statement. A good thesis should include all the main points of your essay. To make this task easier for you, we’ve prepared some examples of thesis statements about hobbies. Have a look:

• Dancing is an excellent hobby for college students because it helps to relieve stress and has numerous health benefits.
• Drawing is beneficial for children because it helps them develop their creativity and fine motor skills.
• Traveling as a hobby allows people to broaden their horizons and learn about other cultures.
• Singing as a Hobby and Way of Self-Expression I need to have a source of relaxation and nonchalance during my studies, and singing is great for letting me do my things without any tension.
• Writings About Hobby – Home Brewing Beer Commercially available beer is expensive to purchase as a result of various taxes and the need of profits by the beer makers.
• Power of Hobby vs. Necessity of Commitment in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity The ideas of “top ten” and the “top five” are not usual for describing the relations between a man and a woman, still, they prove that the character has not traditional approaches, and his standpoints […]
• Skateboarding Not Just A Hobby A Lifestyle
• Young Lady Battle Of Boxing As An Awesome American Hobby
• Is Your Hobby Helping Or Hindering Your Family Life
• Video Games : A Becoming A Lifelong Hobby
• An Analysis of Sports Memorabilia as a True Hobby
• Turning Your Hobby Into An eBay Business
• Woodworking For Fun And Profit Is A Great Hobby
• How Selecting a Best Hobby For You Is Going To Change Your Life
• Travelling Is a Good Hobby That Everyone Should Cultivate
• Exploring The Hobby Of Photography
• Violent Video Games: Children’s Dangerous Hobby
• The Importance Of The Collectible Hobby Industry
• Hobby Farms and British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Reserve
• An Analysis of the Baseball Sport as a Hobby
• Is Your eBay Activity A Business Or A Hobby
• William Golding ‘s Thinking As A Hobby
• Is Your Online Business A Hobby Or A Real Business
• Walking Sticks A Money Making Hobby
• The Political Background Of Hobby
• My Hobby of Volunteering at Care Centers
• Making Candles A Fun Hobby Or Craft
• Radio Controlled Cars A Fun Hobby For All Ages
• Hobby: Nutrition and Black Bean Curd
• The Importance Of Dancing As A Hobby
• Turn Your Scrapbooking Hobby Into A Profitable Business
• Benefits of Pursuing a Hobby
• An Analysis of the Words Knowledge and Intelligence in William Golding’s Article Thinking as a Hobby
• An Analysis of Important Steps in Order to Be Successful in the World of RCA Hobby
• Why You Should Take Up A Physical Hobby
• Thinking as a Hobby Written by William Golding
• The Coin Collecting Hobby Industry
• Coin Collecting When Hobby Turns Business
• Photography Is Just A Hobby Or A Business
• Distinguishing a Business from a Hobby
• Starting A Hobby In Art Collectibles
• World Building: A Fun and Creative Hobby
• Squash From Hobby To Performance
• Identifying Talented People – Mental and Physical Proof of Talent, Predisposition to a Hobby
• The Reimbursement Limitation Of Hobby Lobby
• Travelling As A Common Hobby
• The Importance of Pursuing a Hobby in Your Life
• The Hobby Of Stamp Collecting
• An Analysis of the Hobby of Fish Keeping and the Methods for the Fish Preservation
• How Does Hobby Help Kids Avoid Dangerous Situations?
• What Is the Oldest Hobby in the World?
• Do Hobbies Change With Age?
• What Hobbies Do Royalty Have?
• What Are the Best Hobbies for Cognitive Function and Stress Release?
• Is Coin Collecting a Profitable Hobby?
• What Hobbies Are Good for Depression?
• Do Hobbies Help You Live Longer?
• What Is the Hardest Hobby in the World?
• Is Watching TV a Hobby?
• What Is the Most Valuable Hobby?
• Why Is Coin Collecting a Good Hobby?
• How Can Hobbies Change Your Life?
• Why Are Hobbies and Interests Important for Development?
• What Is the Best Hobby to Develop?
• How Do Hobbies Benefit Family?
• What Hobbies Do People Spend the Most On?
• How Can Hobbies Improve Self-Confidence?
• Is Coin Collecting a Dying Hobby?
• What Hobby Is Good for Mental Health?
• How Can Hobbies Reduce Stress?
• What Was the Hobby of the First King?
• What Hobbies Are Good for Socializing?
• Can Hobbies Improve Your Personal Skills?
• What Is the Importance of Hobbies in Education?
• Music Topics
• Career Development Topics
• Dance Essay Ideas
• Photography Essay Topics
• Talent Management Questions
• Wellness Essay Topics
• Health Promotion Research Topics
• Video Game Topics
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 29). 71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/

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IvyPanda . (2024) '71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 29 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/.

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IvyPanda . "71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/.

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How to Write About Your Hobbies and Interests

Last Updated: March 15, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 981,425 times.

The interests and hobbies section of a resume or college application provides a good opportunity to showcase your personality. A well-executed one can even compensate for a lack in experience or education. Although you might think that all resumes are alike, you should always gear your document toward the specific audience who will be reading it, taking into consideration what they want from you as an applicant. This article will discuss how to write about your hobbies and interests for the two audiences for a resume: a college admissions committee and a potential employer.

Writing Help

Writing for a College Admissions Committee

• College admissions committees are far more interested in your grades, work experience, skills and awards than they are in your hobbies and interests.
• As such, the hobbies and interests section of your resume should be presented toward the end of your resume. End with it, don’t lead with it.
• Prioritize individual activities as well. You can either list your activities chronologically, as you probably did in the “Work Experience” section, or from most to least impressive.
• Always remember that resumes are “top-down” documents, meaning you should lead with what you most want the reader to know about you. [2] X Research source

• Do not simply list all of your activities with commas. This suggests that you have nothing to say about what you did other than the fact that you did it. Break each activity into its own bullet point.
• Decide whether you will write in full sentences or short phrases. A resume should not be overly long — ideally, it should fit onto a single page. If you find that your resume has too much length, use phrases rather than full sentences.
• For example: “Tennis: state champions, 2013, 2014; co-captained varsity team, 2012-14; member of varsity team, 2010-14.
• If your resume is not long enough and you need to develop length, you can write that same information out in full sentences: “Tennis: As a member of the varsity team from 2010 to 2014, I helped my team win the state championship in both 2013 and 2014. As co-captain from 2012 to 2014, I provided leadership both on and off the court, leading team workouts during the off-season and keeping teammates accountable to one another.”

• The activities section of your resume is the place to demonstrate that you don’t have a one-track mind. You have a variety of interests that can be developed over your four years in college.
• If possible, present an array of activities that demonstrate an engaged, curious mind: athletics, volunteerism, academic teams, interest in both the humanities (speech team) and STEM areas (Mathletes), etc.
• The more well-rounded you seem, the more appealing you will be to a committee that is trying to assess how you will develop over the next four years.

• Demonstrate a high level of interest in at least one of your activities. If you were a team captain, elected official or an otherwise engaged member of a group, you need to highlight that as well as possible.
• Describe the leadership qualities you may have developed through this activity: “As Key Club president, I chaired weekly meetings, delegated club responsibilities into committees, expanded our presence by recruited peers into volunteerism and oversaw member training before sending volunteers out into the community.”
• Explain what peripheral qualities you developed: “Over my four years in the Key Club, I developed an abiding dedication to underserved populations in local communities.”

• Use the active voice throughout every document you submit in the application process. [6] X Research source The passive voice suggests that you passively received skills or qualities from your life experiences, whereas the active voice demonstrates your engagement: you earned those skills.
• Note the difference between “Being on the football team taught me the importance of being a team player” and “I strengthened the team’s resolve and success by stressing to individual players the importance of group cohesion to the achievement of our goals.” Take credit wherever possible, even if you weren’t in leadership positions.
• Even if you don’t think you got a lot out of an activity, think about what skills and qualities you could have developed. For example —you might have been an awful cheerleader, but you can still say “I devoted myself to grueling practices daily throughout the season and developed an effective time-management system, through which I balanced schoolwork and cheering while dedicating myself fully to both.”
• Even if you’re not going to make the collegiate cheer squad, you’ve still demonstrated that you can manage your time — something you learned from cheerleading.

Writing for a Potential Employer

• Research the corporate culture of the company you’re applying to. Some companies encourage employees to bring their interests into the creative workplace, for example, Google explicitly cultivates an “open culture” workplace where hobbies are welcomed. A hobbies section would be very appropriate for an application in the tech industry with a company like Google.
• However, if you’re applying for a position at an accounting firm, the corporate culture may not be as welcoming of your hobbies. Leave them off that resume.

• Choose interests that not only mean a lot to you, but also demonstrate the kind of person you are.
• For example, “reading” is a fairly generic activity that doesn’t reveal that much about you. However, running marathons suggests that you possess a high level of dedication and that you can overcome obstacles.
• "Listening to music" doesn't tell your employee anything about you, but "I have practiced classical piano for 17 years," tells them a lot.
• "Volunteering," tells the employer something about you, but it's not as detailed as it could be. Say, instead, that you've volunteered weekly at the same soup kitchen for 3 years, or that you bring your expertise from your state champion high school football team to bear when volunteering as a coach for community football league.
• Generally, hobbies that show leadership skills, personal initiative, dedication, or drive are good boosters for your resume.

Community Q&A

• Be careful about listing hobbies and interests indicative of thrill-seeking and risk-taking behaviors, as these qualities may work against you with certain employers. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Avoid sounding overly committed to your hobbies and interests, as this could indicate to potential employers that your personal interests may come before your career. For example, "I play chess every chance I get, as it is my goal to travel the country as a full-time competitor," could be geared for resume writing by rewording it as, "I enjoy the chess club because it stimulates my creative problem-solving skills and opens my mind to new ways of thinking outside the box." Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Dobrin, Sidney I., Christopher J. Keller, and Christian R. Weisser. Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century. Columbus, Ohio: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print.
• ↑ https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/findajob/resources/write-good-resume
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/listing-hobbies-and-interests-on-your-resume-with-examples
• ↑ https://ccrscenter.org/sites/default/files/AskCCRS_Well-Rounded_Education.pdf
• ↑ https://www.cfnc.org/news/college-essay-prompts/
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CCS_activevoice.html
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/interview-question-hobbies-and-interests

About This Article

To write about your hobbies and interests for college admissions, frame them as something you dedicate your time towards rather than just something you have fun with. For example, on your college application, list them under the title “Extracurricular Activities” since this is more professional than “Hobbies” or “Interests” Choose to list the hobbies you’ve spent the most time on to show your dedication, whether that’s the tennis team, girl scouts, or piano. When you write about your hobbies, use an active voice and describe how you contributed to it. For example, you could write “I strengthened the team’s resolve and success by stressing to individual players the importance of group cohesion to the achievement of our goals. Alternatively, you could say, “I devoted myself to grueling practices daily throughout the season and developed effective time-management by balancing schoolwork and cheering.” To learn how to write about your hobbies and interests on a resume, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Essay on My Hobby for Students and Children

500+ words essay on my hobby.

Hobbies play a very important role in our lives. They occupy our minds when we are free and also make us happy. Hobbies are our escape from the real world that makes us forget our worries. Moreover, they make our lives interesting and enjoyable. If we look at it, all our hobbies are very useful for us. They teach us a lot of things about different stuff. They also help in expanding our knowledge.

Benefits of Having a Hobby

In today’s fast and competitive world, we often get time for ourselves. Over time, our schedule gets very dull and monotonous. That is why we need to indulge in something in between to keep our minds fresh and active. What’s better than a hobby for this? One of the main benefits of having a hobby is that it is a major stress-buster. You actually enjoy doing it and it satisfies your soul.

In other words, without a hobby, your life becomes an unhealthy cycle lacking any excitement or spark. Hobbies offer you a great opportunity to take a break and forget the worries of your life. They allow you to explore yourself and realize your potential in different areas.

Moreover, hobbies can also be a source of extra income. For instance, if you like painting, you can actually sell your art to make some extra money. Likewise, if you have a knack for dancing, you may teach dance classes to people on your holidays. This way your hobby a benefit you both spiritually and financially as well.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

My Favourite Hobby

If I were to pick one favourite hobby of mine out of the many I have, I will definitely pick gardening. I developed a taste for dancing when I was very young. The way my feet moved to the rhythm of the music convinced my parents that I was a born dancer. Dancing is very uplifting as well as economical.

I have always had a love for music and dance. However, I never realized the utter joy they bring to humans. Dancing gives us a lot of exercises. It teaches us to move our body rhythmically and feel the beat of every song. This kind of physical exercise is extremely delightful and enjoyable.

Moreover, dance also taught me how to stay strong and push my limits. I have had many injuries while dancing, too many bruises and cuts but that didn’t stop me from pursuing it further. In fact, it pushes me to do my best and realize my potential more than ever.

I have enrolled in dancing classes because I wish to make my hobby my career. I feel we all should do things which we enjoy doing. Everyone is running after money and in this race, they give up their likings and preferences. I have learned from this race and decided to not take part in it. I wish to take the road less traveled by and take on challenges most people don’t dare to.

In short, my hobby of dancing makes me feel alive and well. It is the only thing I look forward the most to. Thus, I hope to achieve my dream of being a professional dancer and making way for people who wish to make careers out of their hobbies.

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Interview questions answered: How would you describe your personality?

We can always learn how to operate a machine, serve a customer, manage a team of people, or attend the garden. But once you have a wrong personality for the job , you will never excel in it, regardless of your abilities. Simply because personality doesn’t change easily , especially in adults. This is the main reason why hiring managers and interviewers try to understand your personality in the interviews. In fact, truly skilled interviewers do not have to ask you about your personality –they have the capacity to assess your character quite accurately after talking to you for thirty minutes, and putting you under some pressure with their questions. So why do they actually ask about it?

First of all, not every interviewer knows what they are doing . Just like in any other profession, you have people who do a better job, and people who suck at it (relatively speaking). That’s why you may get some questions that do not make much sense. And secondly, some hiring managers are interested in your perception of yourself . They make their picture of your character in the interviews, and wonder whether your description fits the picture they made …

Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers now. Below the answers I continue my analysis of the question, explaining how to avoid mistakes many people do while trying to impress the hiring managers, and walk away with a new employment agreement. Do not forget to check it out as well.

7 sample answers to “How would you describe your personality?” interview question

• I would characterize it as kind and altruistic, always ready to help someone. People generally enjoy my company , and I enjoy company of other people. I’ve always felt an inner calling to help, to do something for others, and it is also one of the reasons why I picked social work for my studies , and try now to get a job as a case manager. Of course, my personality has also some weaknesses . I can get emotional easily, when confronted with extreme suffering or inequality around me, and this is something I actually have to work on, because I know I will be confronted with such scenes in my new job.
• I would describe myself as honest, driven, and energetic individual , always up for the next challenge. Of course, this does sometimes backfire , because I have a tendency to take on excessive workload , and then I struggle to meet the deadlines, or can even feel overworked (despite my high energy levels). In any case, there is always room for improvement , and I hope my personality can be a good fit for the job in your company.
• I would characterize my personality with three words: Analytical, creative, and organized . I thrive when working with data and numbers , and rarely make mistakes. It is the main reason why I chose my field of study, and why I try to get a job of a Financial Analyst with you. Because I feel it is a good match for my personality . Of course, I am not perfect , and sometimes my personality makes it hard for me to thrive in personal relationships . But I do what I can, and can assure you that I will try my best to have good relationships with my colleagues at work.
• More than anything else, I would say my personality is still evolving . Sure enough, I like to manage things and have the last word , but I am also learning to be more receptive to the needs and wishes of others , and to their feedback. It is a work in progress, but I know it matters, and I definitely believe that we can change our personality in every age , at least to some extent. I do what I can to become a better manager…
• I would characterize myself as an innovative risk-taker, who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo . Because I believe that no process is perfect , and we can always achieve better results. Of course, I may sometimes fail to find the right solution , and will not always manage to make something better. But it does not discourage me from trying , and I believe this is the right personality for any work in process management and engineering. Would you agree with that?
• Excellent listener with endless patience and empathy . Or at least that’s what I aspire to achieve as a teacher . At the moment I am well on my way, dealing successfully with challenges I face in the classroom, and managing to achieve progress even with the most problematic students. Of course, I sometimes lose my temper, because I am just a woman and have better and worse days. But I guess it is something I have to learn to live with, while trying to become the best teacher I can be.
• Team-oriented, open minded, transparent . And I believe the people I led in my former jobs would agree with the description. I try to be a manager people aren’t afraid to talk to, and share their feedback with, a manager people know what to expect from, and an open-minded leader who isn’t afraid of implementing new ideas at work, trying to achieve better results. Having said that, I have my weaknesses and things I have to work on , just like everyone else. But I believe that I have a fitting personality for leading a team of creative and ambitious people, and I am sure I will find such people in your company….

Interview is a sales talk in which you should admit some weaknesses

You have one goal in an interview: to walk away with a new employment contract . But it would a mistake to think that you should try to depict yourself in the best possible light , as a perfect manager, analyst, engineer, teacher, waitress, or whatever job you are applying for. Hiring managers know that perfect employees do not exist , and that each of us has some weaknesses.

When characterizing your personality in the interview, I suggest you to focus primarily on characteristics that should help you in your new job. This changes from one job to another, as you can see on my list of sample answers. And certain characteristics are always good–such as being positive, a great listener, or well-organized at work …

Beside such personality traits, however, I suggest you to point out one weakness , or at least an area you can improve on , in order to become better in what you do. That’s the attitude interviewers seek in the very best job candidates. They want to hire people who are confident in their ability to handle the job , but at the same time aware of their limitations , and always striving to improve.

* Special Tip: This isn’t the most difficult question you will face while interviewing for any decent job. You will face questions about prioritization, dealing with pressure, solving problems , and other tricky scenarios that happen in the workplace. If you want to make sure that you stand out with your answers and outclass your competitors, have a look at our Interview Success Package . Up to 10 premium answers to 50 tricky scenario based questions (+ more) will make your life much easier in the interviews. Thank you for checking it out!

Job description can help you find the right words to describe your personality

Many job applicants struggle to find the right “ power words “. They struggle to pick the expressions to describe their personality in the meaningful way in the interviews. And though I suggest you to avoid some hyped-up expressions , and speak in a “normal language” instead, you can definitely check the job description to find some words to use in your answer.

Different companies write different job descriptions, but you will always find some desired personality traits in “qualifications”, “desired skills”, “basic requirements” or similar section on their job ads. Check it out if you aren’t sure what to say after everything you’ve read in this article.

What you say should correspond with what they experience in the interviews

Let me explain this one with an example situation. Imagine that you interrupt the interviewers a few times, in the middle of the question. Then a couple of times you ask them to repeat what they were inquiring about , in the middle of your answer, having already forgotten their entire question. And then, when they inquire about your personality, you characterize yourself as a great listener .

Such an answer would be in a stark contrast with their perception in the interview with you. And it would cost you your chances of getting the job. Because once they start doubting the authenticity of your answers , there is no way back… Keep it on your mind. Be realistic about your personality, and do not try to present yourself as someone you are not . It is much better admitting some weakness you have (one they can observe in the interviews), and ensuring them you try your best to improve on it , than talking about some strengths you fail to demonstrate with your demeanor and interview answers …

Ready to answer this tricky question? I hope so! Do not forget to check sample answers to other interview questions though:

• How would you describe your communication style?
• How would you describe your management style?
• What is your greatest fear in life?
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Hobbies and Interests Essay Writing Strategy: Things To Focus On

EssayEdge > Blog > Hobbies and Interests Essay Writing Strategy: Things To Focus On

Writing an essay about your interests is a super exciting thing. This topic is very wide open. You could choose to write about an extracurricular activity, job, hobby, or just about anything that involves a high level of interest and dedication. Most of our suggestions for  Accomplishments  essays also apply here, especially refraining from repeating information found elsewhere in your application and not including a laundry list of academic, extracurricular, and work successes.

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What are your Hobbies? Best Interview Answer [with Samples]

• Updated on  
• Nov 24, 2023

“What are your hobbies?” is an interview question that is commonly asked across all job profiles. Your interview might also ask something like, “What are your favourite hobbies?”, “How would you describe your hobbies?” or “What do you like to do in your free time?”. So, you might have a list of hobbies ready but choosing the right hobbies and interests and answering them intelligently will help you impress the interviewer. Read this blog to know all about how to answer “What are your hobbies?”, example answers, how to write about your hobbies and more!

This Blog Includes:

What are your hobbies examples, what are your hobbies best answer, how to answer “what are your hobbies” for cabin crew interview, how to describe your hobbies, what the interviewer wants to know, interview preparation tips for questions related to hobbies/interests, what not to mention, how to talk about your hobbies if you don’t have any , how to write about your hobbies, what are your hobbies funny answers.

To help you with your answer of what are your hobbies, below we have mentioned some common hobbies and interests that you can involve in your answer- 

• Volunteering
• Painting/Sketching
• Photography
• Arts and crafts 
• Any sport like Cricket, Football, Basketball, etc.
• Cooking/ Baking
• Making your own DIY: Crafts, calligraphy, etc.
• Home Decor 
• Reading 
• Listening to a particular music genre like Rock, Pop, Indie, etc.
• Travelling and outdoor activities 
• Social work
• Gardening 
• Learning a new language 
• Playing music like guitar, violin, piano, etc.

Related Read: Introduction to Interview

Here are the best ‘What are your hobbies’ example answers:

“ My hobbies are reading books and working out. Along with this, I also like cooking. While researching the company, I got to know about the in-house gym. Having a gym in the workplace is a great idea as employees can get to know each other better on a casual level apart from their designated roles. “

“ I usually spend my leisure time reading books or playing badminton. I like reading new and trending novels and my favourite genres include suspense, horror and thriller novels. Being a voracious reader, I believe that I have a strong vocabulary and knowledge of grammar. My zeal for writing gets its flair from my passion for reading books.” 

“ I have a pet dog named Cookie and spending time with him is one of my favourite things to do. I also love to travel and I often plan trips with my family. But solo travelling gives me the bliss that I crave. Every year I look forward to exploring new places and catching up on some lifetime memories.” 

“ I like participating in volunteer activities especially teaching underprivileged kids. I have been associated with a few non-profit organisations since my college days and I like spending my weekends helping these NGOs with different activities from teaching to organising interesting games and activities to make learning fun for kids. ”

“ I like learning new skills and recently I have been interested in exploring different languages as they help me explore new cultures around the world. I started learning Spanish online and I have already cleared the beginner level. I generally spend my weekends focusing on exploring new Spanish words and watching Spanish movies to strengthen my grasp over the language. “

“I have played football since high school and I have also been the captain of my college team. I love playing football in my free time as it helps me unwind, and relax as well as boosts my creativity and analytical thinking skills.”

“My favourite hobby is travelling because I love discovering new cities and places around the world. I often save up for months to plan a trip every year. I love friends’ trips and family outings but solo travelling brings me the real adventure and thrill to venture into new places all by myself.”

“I like spending time in nature and capturing all the wonderful moments of beauty with my camera. I have been doing nature photography since I was in school and is the best hobby I think I am truly proud of.”

“My best hobby is meditating and spending my free time at meditation retreats. I think it has really helped me understand my mind and its complexities and in ensuring a better mental wellbeing.”

“Composing music and songwriting has been my favourite pastime since I was in high school. I have my own garage band with a few of my high school classmates and we spend our free weekends and holidays composing new tunes and performing at open clubs.”

To answer the “What are your hobbies” question for the cabin crew interview, you must mention hobbies and interests that align with this job like volunteering (helping people), playing sports (teamwork), leading a certain club (leadership qualities), and similar hobbies.

Finding the best answer to “What are your hobbies?” can be difficult because you need to consider a plethora of things before answering this question. Firstly you must always mention hobbies of interest, which might not just include popular hobbies like reading and watching Netflix but go beyond that like playing a particular sport or collecting certain things like stamps, coins and so on.

Here is how to answer “What are your hobbies?”:

• Tell your hobbies with passion! Mention your favourite interests or pastimes with zeal and then add an anecdote or backstory to make it interesting.
• Hobbies can be the key to your personality One of the important reasons why an interviewer asks you about your hobbies is to know you better and where your innate interests lie. This can represent your personality so choose the hobby wisely.
• Keep your explanation short and crisp While talking about your hobby, make sure that you keep it short and concise. For instance, your hobby is reading, after mentioning the same, add any recent book you have read or how you got interested in reading by putting a backstory to it. This will spark the interviewer’s interest in your profile.
• Connect your hobbies with your job This is another golden brownie point you can earn by connecting your interests with your career. For example, as a business development manager, you like volunteering, mention how volunteering with different NGOs has improved your interpersonal skills, helped you learn about people of various backgrounds and further keeps you on your feet.
• Explain how your hobbies make you a better person While hobbies are more connected with rejuvenating and unwinding, you can always mention how a certain hobby adds to a particular skill in your life. For instance, reading can help you become a better writer and storyteller while playing sports teaches us about teamwork, the importance of fitness and so on.
• Don’t mention anything political or controversial This is a big no for answering “What are your hobbies?” as political opinions are often different amongst people and organisations while anything controversial can further leave a bad impression on the interviewer. So, stay away from adding any political interests or controversial hobbies.
• Never say you have no hobbies Saying that you have no hobbies will also leave a bad impression on your interviewer. Instead, you can mention something you are learning during that point of time or anything interest that you have got inclined to, from learning something as simple as cooking to watching psychological thrillers, you can mention even the simplest of interests with a striking story.

When an interviewer asks you the question “What are your hobbies?”, it actually means that you have sparked their interest and they want to know more about you as a well-rounded individual that aligns with their company culture. Here are the key things an interview really wants to know and assess when asking about your hobbies and interests:

• To know what you are passionate about and your interests in other things outside of work.
• How do your interests and hobbies align with your work responsibilities;
• How you spend your pastime, whether on the same day-to-day activities learning something new or doing something creative.
• To discern a little bit about your personal life and the person you are outside of the work responsibilities.

Also Read: Essay on My Hobby for Students and Professionals

Let’s begin with discussing the best tips and tricks you can use while formulating your answer to the questions related to “What are your hobbies?” 

Ponder Upon your Skills or Qualities

Before you begin drafting your answer to “What are your hobbies?”, sit down and contemplate what excites you the most, what are your interests, and what do you like doing the most in your free time? Answering such questions will enable you to identify your hobbies, likes and dislikes.

Elaborate why you Like Pursuing a Particular Hobby

Give potential reasons for every interest or activity you mention for the question “What are your Hobbies?”. Connect a hobby to your childhood or elaborate on how you got interested in the particular activity and how it helps you blow off steam and enjoy your free time.

Judiciously Choose Your Hobbies

You might find interest in many activities that are unrelated to work but you must mention them wisely in a personal interview . The question ‘What are your hobbies?’ is generally put forward to lighten up the atmosphere but whilst answering it, you should not forget to keep it professional. Hence, you must carefully select your hobbies like travelling, any sport you like to play, reading, cooking, volunteering etc.

Related Read: MBA Interview Questions and Answers

Highlight Work-life Balance

Whichever role you are applying for, you can easily find some points to relate to your current profile or the job you are interviewing for. Through this, you can easily build a connection between your skills, interests and hobbies. For example, If you are interviewing for a position of content writer, you can describe how you love reading books which have also helped boost your vocabulary and made you interested in creative writing . 

No matter how well prepared we are, the choice of words also plays a key role in an interview. Hence, you must equally focus on what to say and what not to say . Take a look at the following tips while answering ‘What are your hobbies?’-

• Avoid mentioning any controversial hobby.
• Do not explain too much about your personal life. Keep your answer concise and crisp.
• Make sure that the hobbies you speak about work in your favour and do not go against the job responsibilities.
• Never say ‘no’ as an answer as it can make a negative impression on the interviewer thus influencing their decision.

Related Read: Most Common Hobbies Vocabulary IELTS

Some of the candidates get bewildered by this question especially when they do not have a hobby. In such cases, instead of panicking and awkwardly saying no as an answer, you should take your time and anticipate what you enjoy doing in your daily schedule. The interviewer basically wants to know what you enjoy doing and it would be simply anything that you like. During the time of the interview, you may be judged by your ability to answer the question rather than analysing what you like to do in your free time, thus, one shall never state no as an answer. 

You may not be able to put something under the category of ‘hobby’ but there will be something that you enjoy doing apart from your daily tasks. It can be anything as simple as gardening, taking your pet for a walk, writing a journal, etc. Introspect and try thinking of something that gives you peace and happiness during the day. We are sure you will be able to gauge what you have been looking for. 

Hobbies are often enlisted in a resume/CV and you can create a special section on Hobbies and Interests in your resume for the same. You can list up to 5-7 hobbies in your resume and even more, but wisely. Don’t mention very generic hobbies like listening to music or watching TV but go specific like what type of music you love or the type of TV shows and series you are interested in.

Now that we know the serious things to mention in the interview question for ‘What are your hobbies’, here are some fun answers and memes you shouldn’t take seriously!

Hopefully, this blog about how to answer ‘What are your hobbies?’ has given you ample information to draft your unique answer. Need help with crafting an impressive resume? Sign up for an e-meeting with our Leverage Edu experts and we will help you in resume restructuring and profiling and get you successfully selected for your dream job . 

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wonderful explanation….many people get confused on what to answer this question on hobbies

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Essay on My Hobby

List of essays on my hobby in english, essay on my hobby reading books – essay 1 (250 words), essay on my hobby reading books – essay 2 (250 words), essay on my hobby playing cricket – essay 3 (250 words), essay on my hobby drawing – essay 4 (250 words), essay on my hobby dancing – essay 5 (250 words), essay on my hobby – sewing – essay 6 (500 words), essay on my hobby – essay 7 (750 words), essay on my hobby cooking – essay 8 (1000 words).

My hobby is reading books. Reading a book is one of my favorite pass times and since I work with words for a living it is also one of my favorite work tasks. There are no words that can describe my admiration and respect for the written word and the modest book that houses them. Even though great thinker of antiquity like Socrates despised the written word calling it unresponsive and dead we have to give out thanks to its ability to conserve knowledge for generations.

My hobby reading books is the best way to escape from the torment of the world and to rest in a world of imagination. Undisturbed by the troubles of my life, my mind can rest from all the stress it goes through every day and find comfort in the words of wise writers or happiness in those that like more light-hearted topics.

Not only do I read books but I also collect them and spend endless hours searching for the right edition for their collection. I even save up money so that I can buy books and extend my library or spend fortunes on rare historic manuscripts.

The fact of the matter is that there is no better way for me to rest and at the same time practice my brain by reading a book, so as far as my hobby reading books goes this way, it is the best pass time I can have. Believe me, once you start exploring the sea of stories written on paper you will never want to stop exploring.

Hobby is something that is of our interest and keeps us engaged in our free time with a free mind. A good habit will not only help us to escape from our daily cores but also keeps us peaceful. Studies prove that practicing a good hobby will keep us away from many mind related problems and loneliness as well.

Reading books as My Hobby:

Hobby is something that develops with us from an early age. I find happiness in reading books in my lonely time to free my mind of stress and study pressures. My hobby is reading books. Reading books is the best knowledge gaining hobby. My hobby reading books has helped me to improve my language too. When I start reading, I create my own imaginary and creative world to travel with the story.

Reading thriller novels will help me to travel to that world with mystery and stories with adventures will improve my creative side, as I am constantly imagining the scenario that’s happening in the story and so on. Thus my hobby reading books interest me the most, has helped me to understand the language better, create noble and ideal thoughts in me and more.

Inspirational and instructive books have always inspired my growing mind to follow the better path to achieve my life goal. By reading books I can be updated on the present world. A person with understandability towards anything will be able to acquire their desired heights more easily and books are molding me to be one.

Living amidst books makes me feel happier and loneliness has never touched me at any point in my life. Books have become my best friend since childhood and I can feel the positive changes they create in me.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

We have all heard of this adage time and again and it also throws light on how important it truly is to make sure that we all have a hobby.

The game of cricket:

Well, my hobby is cricket as I have been enjoying this sport since a very tender age. I remember gazing from the winnow of my room and watching the grown-ups immerse themselves in a game of cricket. I would spend hours watching them and remembering the different shots, the way the bowlers threw the ball at different angles and even imagined myself excelling at cricket.

The need for passion:

I believe that regardless of what we choose, it is important for each one of us to have a hobby. My hobby is something which keeps me going and it adds to my verve and energy. If you develop a good hobby, it will make sure that you would have something to unwind your mind.

When I go out to play cricket, in that moment, I do not think of anything else as I am cool, composed and nothing else matters. So, if you have not yet found your thing which you can truly call as a hobby, I suggest you do so.

I knew my hobby since a tender age and it soon grew into my passion and I can say with utmost pride that I am quite good at cricket. When you truly love something, your zest will give you the kick to excel in it too.

I have a lot of hobbies to pass my time. One of such things is drawing. Even when I was a little child, drawing has always made me happy. Sitting quietly in a place, I can draw for hours. It keeps me busy and relaxes my mind. There is a little secret to why I love drawing so much.

As a person, I am less talkative. Because of that, there are very few friends in my life. The thing is that, instead of speaking out everything, I prefer to express my emotions silently. And drawing just helps me do that.

Sketching is not merely a pass time to me. God has given me a beautiful way to share my thoughts and feelings through drawing. It is an art that becomes my voice when I wish to be quiet. Moreover, drawing also helps me connect more with nature. Trees, birds, animals, rivers, clouds are some of the favorite things that I like to draw.

My art teacher praises the passion I have for drawing. She also appreciates the blending of shades and strokes of brushes when I paint something. My parents and friends always encourage me for the same.

I wish to pursue drawing for the rest of my life. It is my dream to become a true artist one day and that is only possible with regular practice and devotion.

Introduction:

My hobby is dancing. Dancing is the art of performing purposefully selected sequence of movements by humans. Dance is a beautiful hobby that slowly builds in an individual. Dancing becomes a hobby to people who like to listen to music because as they listen, they tend to accompany the beats with dance moves. Although some people might be enjoying music but they are unable to dance because dancing is a performance that requires a skill that not everyone can master.

How it began:

Ever since I was a child, I have been chubby and so my parents had to sign me up for dancing lessons so that I can get physically fit. The dancing lessons seemed enjoyable but when I joined the first class I was unable to dance. I developed a strong determination to learn how to dance because by nature I do not like to accept failure. Within a few weeks, I had learned how to dance and it grew in me and dancing became my hobby. I would dance everywhere and that is how I grew fond of my hobby dancing.

Benefits of My Hobby Dancing:

Through my hobby dancing, I was able to lose weight and my chubbiness was gone. The regular dancing that I have been doing has kept me fit. Sometimes I make money from dancing especially during the holidays. Dancing at events or festivals earns me money. At school, I have won awards because I participate in dance as an extracurricular activity. It is a great feeling to have dancing as my hobby because it is what I love and enjoy.

Who are we without our hobbies? Apart from our physical appearances, the collection of the things we do is what makes us distinct from the next person. While there are things we do simply because we have to, we do others because we love to.

Hobbies are things we do because we have a natural inclination to do so. They give us so much pleasure that we would spend our life time doing it. This is why people try to build their respective professions around their hobbies. By so doing, an ordinarily difficult task suddenly becomes simple.

My love for sewing:

Though I have a lot of hobbies, my love for sewing stands out from the crowd. It all started when my mother bought a sewing machine when I was younger. I was immediately fascinated by the mechanical excellence of the equipment. First, it was the way the machine rolled. Then I was puzzled about the thread movement and how it miraculously turned torn pieces into masterpieces.

Subsequently, my curiosity became a source of entertainment. I would play around the machine and time would disappear while I do so. I would cut my old clothing and run it through the machine just to see it move. Slowly and surely, I became enchanted with sewing so much that it dominated my thought and became my hobby.

Now, I would not leave a single week without creating something adorable with the sewing machine. A few moments spent away from this intriguing environment feels like an eternity. What’s more, I have found that sewing has a therapeutic effect on me. It helps clear my thought and keeps me focused on a single task. Though there is financial gain in this endeavor I do it simply for the thrill.

Me and my hobby:

Sewing is my hobby and it is refreshing to me but over time I realized that by virtue of my love for this craft I became interested in related fields. First, I have to create a sketch of what to sew. This process is a purely creative one. As I draw, I can picture what I would do to the real fabric when I eventually get on the machine. I also visualize what the eventual dress would look like on me or whoever would eventually wear it.

Then, I cut pieces of the fabric as outlined in my drawings. The cutting stage is mainly about precision. The materials have to be systematically shaped in such a way that it fits the measurement taken. Any deviation from this would lead to undesired results.

Finally, the pieces are carefully held together by the automated needle of the machine. This is the most fulfilling part of the process. This is so because seeing the conceptualized idea come to bare serves as an icing on the cake. However, the feeling of excitement I experience after the cloth is made quickly evaporates. I am immediately left with the desire to start over again. Though the process might seem mechanical or even uninspiring to an onlooker, I wouldn’t trade my hobby of sewing for anything else in the world.

Any activity which one does for pleasure is called as a hobby. It can anything ranging from reading books, spending time with your pets, travelling around, talking to new people, just anything which gives immense pleasure to a person and relieves a person of the tensions of daily life. I too have a hobby which is quite common in the world as so many people do it.

My Hobby, My Pleasure:

My hobby is reading anything knowledgeable be it the newspapers, magazines, short story books or the novel series. I just love to read. In fact, I have this good collection of books at home which I feel is the biggest treasure I have.

How it all started:

When I was in school we were asked to read the newspaper every day and come up with three national, three international and three sports news in the class. This was a sort of regular activity for us. It is from here that I gathered interest in reading newspapers. Slowly as we all grew up this hobby of reading newspapers in the morning developed into a full-time activity of reading which came around.

Overall these years, I have the pleasure of reading the Harry Potter series, which still remain the best, The Shiva Trilogy from Amish Tripathi, books from good authors both from India and abroad.

Books, Our best friends:

Life isn’t anything but difficult to live without friends. With regards to Books, they can be our closest friends ever. Great Books advances our brain with great contemplations and information simply like a decent friend. We can’t feel alone in the vicinity of books. We can learn numerous beneficial things while perusing a decent book. Books composed by well-known and experienced authors causes us to improve as a person and furthermore show us how to serve the general public in the most ideal way. When we are separated from everyone else, we can generally get a book and begin perusing to feel unwind.

Books are our closest companions since they rouse us to do incredible things throughout everyday life and conquer our disappointments. Books can be great or terrible, however, it is our duty to pick them wisely. Kinship with Good books makes you Good individual and companionship with Bad books make you a terrible individual. Books will dependably be there for you in your terrible occasions. Books motivate us to have dreams. Moreover, books convey a positive incentive to our life and make us a better human being.

Advantages of Having a Hobby:

Having a hobby is really basic for a solid character and body. In addition to the fact that they are fun, a hobby can revive one completely, help with remaining solid, dynamic and cheerful. Spending time doing the things that we appreciate can help postpone maturing and prompt positive emotions that assistance battle against specific diseases. A hobby makes you more joyful and more substance as a human being. In addition to the fact that this is useful for your general wellbeing and prosperity, it likewise expands your fulfilment with life and brings you harmony, joy and energy. What’s more, makes you simpler to live with! On the off chance that your days are loaded up with only customer gatherings, ventures and constant work, a hobby can help facilitate a portion of that pressure and take your brain off work.

In fact, a few research studies have demonstrated that individuals who take part in leisure activities are more averse to creative memory issues. Hobbies are additionally known to fight off sadness and lower circulatory strain. So in addition to the fact that hobbies help you mentally, they are useful for your body as well.

Conclusion:

Having a hobby that we enjoy doing brings us joy and advances our lives. It gives us something enjoyable to do amid our recreation time and gives us the chance to learn new aptitudes. We are exceptionally lucky to have such a large number of various choices out there today. Actually, there are whole sites committed to diversions and interests.

The most ideal approach to developing another hobby is to take a stab at something new. The world is loaded with magnificent, energizing exercises that we can investigate and embrace as our own. Obviously, we all are one of a kind and, accordingly, our interests and leisure activities change. In any case, when we discover an interest that we really appreciate and are enthusiastic about, we end up snared. It turns out to be a piece of our lives and encourages us in an exceptionally close to home way. Last, but not the least, hobby help us live our dreams which usually get ignored due to our busy lives.

A hobby is one’s favourite habit, activity or what a person chooses to do or what the person does usually for enjoyment and pleasure in his/her available leisure time. Having a hobby is a very good thing that can be developed at a point in one’s life from childhood all the way to adulthood but it is sometimes best to have a hobby from childhood. We all participate in some kind of activity in line with our interests that we derive joy and happiness from; this activity is our hobby. We all have different hobbies based on our interests, dislikes and likes.

Types of Hobbies:

There are a lot of different types of hobbies that we can show interest in and develop, examples of hobbies are singing, dancing, playing outdoor or indoor games, drawing, collecting antiques, bird watching, writing, photography, reading, eating, playing, sports, music, gardening, cooking, watching TV, talking and any other activity you can think of. Our different hobbies that become a source of earning money and a means of livelihood and we can build a very successful career out of our hobbies. A hobby is meant to be enjoyed in our leisure time but it can become a lot more than that.

My Hobbies:

One popular misconception is that we can have only one hobby; this is totally not true. As a child growing up, I loved and enjoyed cooking and I would spend hours watching cooking programmes and watching my parents cook. Sooner rather than later, I also started trying out different recipes and dishes I had seen on TV and sometimes even tweaked a few things and made delicacies of my own. Cooking gave my childhood so much joy and bliss which made it one of my hobbies, I could cook all day and I get just happy at the thought of trying out a new recipe. Another hobby of mine is soccer which is kind of an accidental hobby (if there is anything like that). I had always loved watching football (or soccer) and was pretty good at analysis and understanding of the game but I never really tried playing the sport because of my first hobby that is cooking which meant I was more of the indoor person. Fate would have it that one of my close friends was on the varsity soccer team and all the goalkeepers got injured so he told me about an open audition for the position of goalkeeper and I just decided to try out. I was wonderful at the try outs and got a spot on the varsity soccer team, I became a pretty brilliant goalkeeper and I look forward to every opportunity to get on the field of play. There is this feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction I get anytime I am on the field of play. It is very possible to have more than one hobby so open yourself to the possibilities of all the different activities and interesting things around us.

My Favourite Hobby:

My favourite hobby is gardening. I spend most of my leisure time when I am not cooking or playing soccer in gardening. Gardening has been a huge source of knowledge, education, delight and entertainment to me. I have had the opportunity to learn a lot of new things on flowers, plants, vegetables, butterflies and even birds from gardening. My parents have a little plot of land where I pursue and practice this hobby. I have different varieties of vegetables, flowers and a few fruit trees in my garden. Some of the vegetables I grow are carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, radish, chillies, bitter gourd, etc. I also grow flowers like jasmine, roses, lilies, merry gold, carnation, poppies, flux and forget-me-not. These flowers make the garden a delight to behold and give the garden a soothing fragrance.

There are a few fruit-trees in the garden including banana, mango, guava and pomegranate. The garden is visited often by quite a number of birds and there are even some birds are live permanently on the fruit trees. The chirping sound made by the birds and their sweet music gives the garden the perfect condition and makes it the ideal place to be.

Gardening has also helped my other hobby (soccer) by keeping me mentally alert, physically fit and very fresh. The ambience of the garden is highly invigorating, fresh and soothing; there is calmness to the atmosphere of the garden. The processes and activities involved in gardening include weeding, digging, grafting, cutting, maturing, watering and the tilling of the soil. All of these activities get me the needed physical exercise I need to make my body fit and keep me sharp mentally.

A lot of family members and friends appreciate my hobby gardening. Over the years, I have been able to develop skills needed in gardening, sometimes; my father also helps me maintain the garden. I have a worthy and wonderful collection of magazines and books on vegetables, flowers, fruit trees and also gardening overall. It is quite a wonderful experience to watch plants grow, develop and blossom.

I am not full of knowledge in gardening; sometimes, I get advice and help from a professional gardener so as to know the right thing to do. I spend a large chunk of my money purchasing manure, seeds, fertilisers, books on gardening and gardening tools and implements. I try to catch all the programmes on television about gardening, I visit plant and flower shows and also fruit and vegetable exhibition. I try my possible best to balance all my hobbies, studies and other engagements without hurting any one of them for the others.

Gardening motivates me and gives me a sense of purpose about what I can achieve with my life. Once I am gardening, I forget about all of my worries, troubles and problems of the world. I am my happiest when I am working in the garden or when I get to give my friends and my family members fruits from the garden.

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How To Answer "What Are Your Hobbies And Interests?" Interview Question

In This Guide:

Why do recruiters ask about your hobbies, how do i choose the right hobby to talk about, example answers, key takeaways:.

Your hobbies and interests make you a unique, well-rounded person. And when someone asks you about what you do in your free time, it’s great to share what you're passionate about, what drives you.

A hiring manager may ask you about your hobbies and interests to peek behind the curtain and gain a better understanding of who you are. Some hobbies offer transferable skills, like unique leadership and interpersonal skills.

Whether it's playing badminton or doing volunteer work at a local homeless shelter, don't stress too much about the answer. Potential managers love discovering what you do in your leisure time to learn more about you.

In this article, we will discuss:

If you're interested in learning tips and tricks to provide interviewers with the best answers, speak to a career counselor from Enhancv. They can provide you with the complete guide to answer questions in order to let your personality shine.

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When you first hear the question, you may think of it as a trick, one that an interviewer asks to dredge up things about your personal life. However, asking about your hobbies and interests is one of the many common job interview questions you may come across.

Interviewers use personal questions like this one to discern your compatibility within the company's culture. When you're hired for a new position, you're not just being asked to complete the duties and roles assigned to you.

Instead, you're being asked to mingle with a group of people that you'll end up spending more time with than your family.

Hiring managers ask about your hobbies and interests to discover whether you are a well-rounded individual.

In addition, many interviewers ask this question to discern if your extracurricular activities have potential value to the company. For example, if you love to write short stories, this may show that you are a creative person. Your creative writing skills may translate directly into your role, especially as you create imaginative solutions to difficult problems.

For such a personal question, it's always difficult to come up with an off-the-cuff answer. You may feel self-conscious of sharing details about your personal life, or you may feel that your employer has little say over what you do in your spare time.

You may also feel that you don't have any hobbies to really share about. I want to challenge you on this, because everybody has something in their life which they're excited about.

Maybe it's that you're a voracious reader, and you love sitting down in your favorite chair with a book in your hand. Or maybe you enjoy outdoor activities, going for a stroll in the park.

Anything that makes you happy and that you enjoy can be something that you share about. Your hobbies might also be something that you choose to share on a resume .

Tip one: Share what you're passionate about

When answering this question, share one of your hobbies that you have a unique interest in. Have you ever spoken to somebody who was sold out on their new interests?

Maybe you've sat through a friend sharing about their last trip as they discovered new cultures. One thing that you might've noticed is how that unique experience has changed the way that they view things.

In that same way, you can share stories from your life which have influenced you. Find one major hobby in your life, and share a couple details about why it interests you.

Try to find something that truly interests you, as an interviewer can spot when someone is being less than truthful with their answer.

Tip two: Shy away from controversial hobbies

Although there are very few wrong answers to this question, it may be best to steer clear of controversial hobbies. Some hobbies may be seen as a huge red flag for interviewers, and it's best to reflect on your answer.

A good rule of thumb is, share nothing with an interviewer that you wouldn't share with your mom, dad, siblings, or grandparents.

Below, you can find some controversial hobbies that you may not want to bring up with an interviewer:

• Illegal activities : An employer may see illegal activity as a red flag, and this may prevent you from getting the job.
• Anything political : It may be best not to share any political activities that you're involved in, as this can hinder your ability to build rapport with your interviewer.
• Anything that would make you look like an unreliable employee: If your answer to the question of what interests you is staying out late until 2 AM with friends partying on a work night, then you may look like an unreliable employee to a potential hiring manager.

Tip three: Share about an interest from earlier on in your life

If you are racking your brain for current hobbies, and can't seem to come up with anything, it may be a good idea to share an interest that you had either in high school or in college. If you were involved with a sports team at your local high school, or involved in a club or team while in your college days, then lean on those hobbies to answer your question.

tip four: if possible, find a common interest

You may have picked up on something that your interviewer mentioned at the beginning of the interview. Maybe she shared her love for nature photography. If you also enjoy photographing nature, you can mention that to her as a common shared interest.

It's important to not make up or lie about participating in certain activities. Lies always seem to catch up with you, and your hiring manager may later check in with you and ask more about your shared hobby.

Tip five: Come up with a hobby before your interview

It's always easy to come up with answers to questions right on the spot, so it's always best to prepare for your interviews.

Below, you can find a list of common hobbies and interests, and you can pick one or two to share if asked this interview question:

• Team sports
• Volunteering
• Photography
• Creative Writing

Some of the best answers provide clues to how you spend your time, as well as how you engage in personal and professional development. They provide a glimpse into how your unique skills and abilities can benefit a company's culture. Below, you can find some sample answers which you can use on your job search:

Hard skills

Hard skills are technical skills that you've gained through professional experience, education, or other forms of training. These skills can apply to your specific profession, or could be something that you do as a side hustle to earn a little extra money on the side. Look at this example of a hard skills answer:

One of my biggest hobbies is coding apps and video games. Ever since I was in high school, I've really gravitated towards building games which are fun to play and are also challenging. I was even involved in a coding competition in college, where I took home third place for an application that I made for the android operating system.

Soft skills

Soft skills are people skills, things that you've gained through working within a team environment. Some soft skills include public speaking and leadership. Using a soft skill for this interview answer can show that you value interpersonal relationships and building community among team members. Below, you can find an example answer which highlights an applicant's soft skills:

I used to be deathly afraid of public speaking. My hands got all clammy, my throat would tighten up, and I felt like I was almost passing out whenever I was asked to speak in front of people. One of my favorite professors from University suggested that I try standup comedy at a local club in the area.

At first, I showed up at the club, and watched people go on stage. But, over time, I gained the confidence to go up on stage and tell a few jokes. After a little while, I started to get better at my act, and one of my favorite things is watching people get into my routine and start laughing.

• Interviewers ask about your hobbies and interests to discern whether you would be a good fit within their company culture.
• Try to find something that you are passionate about and be sincere when you answer this question.
• It may be helpful to find mutual interests between you and your interviewer.
• Choose to answer this question by pointing to hobbies or interests which highlight your hard or soft skills.

If you're interested in answering this question or other situational interview questions, speak with a career counselor from Enhancv . They can help point you in the right direction to talk about your interests and hobbies, while also showing you how to provide answers that highlight that you are a well-rounded individual.

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• 22 Best Examples of Hobbies and Interests to Put on a Resume (5+ Tips)

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You’ve climbed Mount Everest, volunteer at the dog shelter on the weekends and have a mint condition comic book collection, the question is: do you let an employer know? Or more importantly, does the employer care?

Many employers are for including a hobby or two on your resume, reasons being to show the personal side of a candidate and to use it as a conversation topic in an interview.

Hobbies and interests can give your resume a personality the employer can relate to, a feeling on who you may be.

That said, when writing a resume that will land an interview, would someone looking at it be impressed by what your hobbies or interests are? Is it relevant in any way to the position you’re applying for?

If the answer is no, then you might be better leaving this section off.

Sorry to break it guys, no recruiter is going to hire you over someone else because you like travel or fishing.

This isn’t a Facebook profile; your resume is a document that tells the employer why you’re a good match for the Job.

WHY SHOULD YOU INCLUDE HOBBIES & INTERESTS IN YOUR RESUME?

Employers spend approximately 3 minutes and 14 seconds looking at your resume, with 1 out of every 5 recruiters making up their mind about you in 60 seconds.

Your resume should, therefore, give the employer a concrete description of who you are and express your capabilities in under 3 ½ minutes.

A two year longitudinal study of 120 hiring managers conducted by North Western University’s Kellogg School of Management Studies , showed that approximately 51.2% of employers selected suitable candidates based on their hobbies and interests.

An article by The Guardian could not describe it better that personal interests and hobbies are used to demonstrate how fit you are for the advertised position.

For these and many other reasons we’ll see below, it is essential to carefully analyze the hobbies you need to include in your resume.

Of course this depends on the job opportunity you are applying for.

Each hobby you add is a window into your character, and you should be sure that it directs light towards desired attributes.

In this article we’ll discuss how you how you can craft your resume to stand out among hundreds, probably thousands of resumes sent for each job vacancy.

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR?

When deciding what to include as your hobbies, it is imperative to understand what your employers are looking for.

According to an article published by Forbes , the Job Outlook 2012 report, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), cited the following as the most important skills employers look out for every time they receive a resume from a prospective employee.

Ability to be a Team Player

Potential employers want an assurance that you can work with other employees, share, and listen to their ideas, especially when handling group projects.

Being a team player also means that you should be willing to put the company’s and other people’s interests ahead of your own without expecting favors in return.

Ability to Communicate Both Inside and Outside the Organization

Employers want an effective communicator that can deliver concrete messages clearly, and also motivate and convince colleagues, juniors, and seniors in the workplace.

Excellent communication skills are also vital when talking to clients, and convincing them to approach the company for business.

Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills

Eventually, problems arise, and your reaction to each challenge could save or ruin the company.

Effective and efficient solutions are necessary during a crisis to prevent and also mitigate damage.

Making right decisions in the absence of supervision exhibits leadership skills and is a door to promotions and rewards.

Ability to Obtain Information and Process It

As a new employee, you are required to quickly integrate into the company system, with as little guidance as possible to avoid being a liability.

It is your responsibility to gather information if it is not handed to you, and use it to find your way, or produce constant output.

Ability to Plan Well

Depending on the rank of employment you are applying for, a secretary may not be provided. This means that the responsibility to file your work, organize it, and prioritize it based on size and dates due.

Without an efficient planning system or culture in place, it is easy to fall behind on all deadlines and lose trust from your seniors.

Ability to Actively Hone Your Skills

The ability to identify talent and hone it into something great is a plus because it portrays your ability to develop skills and efficiency during employment.

In the long run, you can become a valuable asset to the company.

Having a hobby, particularly one that motivates endurance, and also requires dedication shows passion.

Employers are looking for employees that are passionate about their jobs, to create value within them, and ensure that they can depend on them to keep pushing without supervision.

Well Rounded

By including hobbies in your resume, you demonstrate that there is more to you than just work. This is important as it presents you as an all rounded individual.

Maintaining a work-life balance shows your ability to juggle different aspects in life, and also shows that you value resting periods to keep you competitive and productive at work.

WHAT HOBBIES & INTERESTS SHOULD YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR RESUME?

Your resume should be tailor-made to fit every job you are applying for. Instead of copying previous resumes, consider the job qualification expected, and include hobbies that display skills and personalities the employers may be looking for.

For example, Google is known to hire open and playful employees because, besides their educational qualifications, they would like to hire people that integrate into their culture.

However, according to the undercover recruiter , 50% of recruiters reject resumes due to clichés.

This means that your hobbies and interests should reflect the skills employers are looking for, without seeming obvious and boring.

According to the Business Insider , the following are hobbies and interests worth considering each of them is suitable for different job postings.

Practicing yoga demonstrates an ability to remain calm and maintain control in all situations. It also shows a mastery of self and a deeper understanding of a person’s emotions.

Jobs such as PR (Public Relations Management) and advertising require control of emotions due to many inter-human interactions.

Work that also involves service delivery in hotels requires a mastery of emotions to avoid frustrating clients.

For example, a manager in a restaurant has to remain calm when addressing rude customers. If your job involves high human interactions, yoga is an excellent addition to your list.

Strategic Games

An interest in games like chess demonstrates that you enjoy thinking strategically.

This type of strength is desirable for positions where policy development and strategy formulation are key.

Video Production

Adding skills such as video production demonstrates your abilities and familiarity with equipment used during video production, journalism, and broadcasting.

Video production may also come in handy when applying for job opportunities in newspaper and magazine production companies since you show a broader understanding of activities within the journalism industry.

Extreme Sport

Participating in extreme sports such as skydiving, or racing mountain bikes shows that you have an adventurous spirit, and also dare to take on the unknown.

These traits are essential for employees hoping to take up leadership positions because they are willing to go beyond expectations and face their challenges head-on.

Bloggers are free thinkers, expressive, and good communicators. An excellent blog is a great addition to your list of hobbies and interest when applying for marketing, and writing opportunities. However, blogging also goes beyond necessary writing skills.

The ability to share positive thoughts through well-structured language, and stand up to ridicule is also a leadership quality.

If your blog contributes to providing information into the industry in which the job lies, include it in your list for the employers to see your understanding of the job required.

Bloggers are free thinkers, expressive, and good communicators. An excellent blog is a great addition to your list of hobbies and interest when applying for marketing, and writing opportunities. However, blogging also goes beyond necessary writing and  photo-editing skills .

Musical Talents

Playing musical instruments, and performing as a singer requires attention to tones, and patience when learning.

Good music requires discipline and dedication, and if you are qualified to list musical skills in your resume, they may draw the attention of potential employers.

Musical talents go beyond the performance industry. For example, performing before a crowd without stuttering or choking shows confidence.

Volunteering

If you enjoy volunteering towards charitable work and helping out others, include it in your resume. Volunteering to help others exhibits self-drive, and also shows the compassionate side of you.

It also demonstrates an ability to initiate action without supervision and not expecting special rewards in the end.

An employer will be interested in a volunteer if he/she feels that he or she places the company’s needs before personal gain.

Some voluntary activities also offer opportunities to learn essential business skills and technical skills that may give you an advantage over other applicants.

Photography

Excellent photographers have an eye for details, excellent photo opportunities and also pay attention to details.

The art of holding the camera, allowing enough exposure and producing breathtaking images is a skill learned over time.

Including photography in your list of hobbies and interests shows that you are keen, observant and also patient.

Apart from being a useful addition when applying for a job in journalism and video production, photography is helpful in any other fields that require a keen and sharp eye.

According to statistics from the Pew Research Center,  5% of Americans participate in hobbies related to the environment such as outdoor and naturalist activities and gardening .

Practicing gardening shows that you are conversant with plants, and nature, and are willing to participate in events geared towards environmental conservation and sustainability.

If you are applying for jobs that call for environmental preservation, gardening is an excellent addition.

Captain of a Team Sport

Leadership goes beyond offices and is also demonstrated in the field during sports. Being a team captain in high-adrenaline environments shows that you are calm, decisive, intuitive, and even understanding.

When applying for leadership roles, including other leadership positions you hold in sports may go a long way in improving your chances of landing an interview.

Captains are not only leaders, but they are also team players and are also capable of coming up with effective and efficient solutions in case of an emergency.

Tech Hobbies

According to an article by the Oxford Royale Academy , hobbies such as programming and coding, or practicing digital marketing through Google Analytics data, are a great addition to jobs that require technical expertise.

On the other hand, tech hobbies are introverted and are therefore an advantage in jobs that require introverts.

Puzzles and Chess

If you are applying for a job that requires analytical and critical thinking, then filling in crossword puzzles and playing chess are great ways of boosting your brain’ s capacity.

Games such as chess improve intelligent strategizing and are therefore useful for jobs that require such skills. The games are also introverted and are great for employers looking to employee critical thinkers who appreciate their space.

Drawing and painting are excellent additions when applying for jobs that require artistic creativity.

For example, if you are a graphic designer, apart from mastering graphic design programs, you need a natural artistic skill to generate ideas for clients, and organize images to create impressive layouts.

Exploring different places, and having an ability to appreciate different cultures is easily demonstrated through traveling.

Travelling also gives you exposure and tips for surviving and enjoying different states across the globe.

If you are applying for a travel agent job, you have a higher chance of being employed if you are conversant with traveling regulations, and have tips that you can offer to clients.

A survey conducted by Cint on the distribution of Hobbies and Interests among people in France in 2016 -2017 showed that 9.67% of the respondents took up cooking as a hobby.

Specific jobs may give you an advantage if you enjoy cooking.

For example, chefs, and cook-TV show hosts should enjoy being around the kitchen and trying new recipes. If your job description falls in line with cooking skills, you can include cooking, and give specific details to get an advantage.

Some companies, mainly IT-based companies use gaming as a team-building activity.

When applying for IT industry jobs, including gaming, especially multi-player gaming may come in handy.

High Risk Pursuits

Activities such as skydiving show that you are happy to push boundaries and take risks. These strengths are desirable for people going into product leadership roles.

Fantasy Football

While gambling is often dismissed as a vice, it may be useful when done for pleasure.

Some businesses such as banking and venture capitalism require skills in gambling, and would, therefore, present significant opportunities for smart gamblers.

Stamp Collecting

Though old, and perhaps harder right now, stamp collecting is an excellent addition for people interested in antiques and history.

It also displays a natural effort to preserve history for future generations to see. For example, if you are applying for a museum guide position, including stamp collecting in your list of hobbies is a big plus!

Bird Watching

Positions such as wildlife conservation manager require individuals that are naturally enthusiastic about animal behavior and preservation of their natural habitats.

Bird watchers enjoy the silent outdoors and are very patient.

Research shows that participants with science related hobbies, such as bird watching, are active science news consumers and are likely to participate in science related-activities (42%).

Clubs/ Organizations

You could also include any clubs or associations you are active in.

For example, the Rotary, The Red Cross Community, a golf club or a book club.

Participating in club activities shows that you have top notch human interaction skills, and are also a team player.

If you choose to include reading in your list of hobbies, remember to keep it detailed because many people can read. Explain what you enjoy reading to give the employers an opportunity to question you about it.

What Hobbies and Interests should I Include in my resume?

TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN INCLUDING A HOBBY & INTERESTS LIST

While it is essential to have an impressive resume, lying about your skills and interests could give your employer the wrong impression.

You may be asked to perform tasks you do not understand based on everything you listed as a hobby.

Avoid embarrassing yourself, or become untrustworthy by not lying on your resume.

Pick hobbies that have relevant skills

It is possible to enjoy doing over ten things, but not have them on your resume. Your hobbies and interests should demonstrate skills that are essential in your job.

For example, an IT expert should include tech hobbies, rather than showcasing how good of a cook they are!

Avoid political and religious inclinations

Remember that your employer may not agree with your political and religious beliefs. Your hobbies should be free from any political or religious bias that could irk, or insult your potential employer.

Provide details

Instead of saying that you simply enjoy traveling, give a summary of some of the places you have traveled to.

If you enjoy blogging, mention some of the topics you enjoy writing about, any websites you may have and awards you may have received during your writing journey.

Keep the List Short but adequate

Remember that the Hobbies and Interests section is an addition.

Do not make it the main subject of your resume, and end up boring the employer.

Research the Company to Understand Their Work Culture

Remember that each hobby you include should be a stepping stone towards integrating with the company culture.

For Example, hobbies that require social interactions should not be used in introverted companies.

An article published by the CNBC revealed a study conducted by Top Resume among 379 recruiters to find the biggest resume deal breakers you should avoid.

However, that being said, if the the job you’re applying for is known for being a religious organization or a part of a political side, then you’ll want to include a hobby that exemplifies this.  For example, say you’re applying to a weapons company.  Then it would behoove you to include something that shows your interests in gun s as a hobby.

WHERE SHOULD YOU PLACE YOUR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS?

As stated earlier, all hobbies are an addition to the initial qualifications every employer advertises. Therefore, they should be placed last.

However, remember to keep the list as interesting as possible.

Sometimes, a good list of hobbies may be the key to getting your dream Job .

BOTTOM LINE

Including your hobbies and interests in your resume will help potential employers relate to you, and also evaluate your character before the actual job interview.

The list also creates an opportunity for a conversation during the interview and gives you an advantage over other applicants.

By providing a list of interests, employers can also integrate you into company activities such as sports activities, and improve recognition among your colleagues.

Ensure that all the hobbies you include are relevant to your job to increase your chances of getting employed.

Also, keep your list honest, detailed and as brief as possible for the employers to read through quickly.

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