Writing a resume, in some ways, is easier now than it's ever been.  Just Google "resume tips" and you'll find a wealth of information on how to write a "proper" resume.  There's one problem with this, though: everyone else has access to those exact same resources.  When you're applying for a job, you don't want to turn in a resume that's "just like" the other ninety-nine resumes that the hiring manager has to sift through.  You want one that stands out (in a good way) so that people can remember who you are.  One big way to do that is to write a solid cover letter (and that's a lesson we plan to cover later) but today we're focusing on a much smaller step that is too often overlooked: interests.

Yes, believe it or not (and let's put this in bold for the people who only skim these posts) your resume should have a line (or two) talking about your personal interests.  Now, it's important not to overshare here (your employer really doesn't need to know that you were the 2009 Manzi Beer Pong Champion) but it's equally important that your resume tells the person reading it a little bit about who you are as a person (rather than just what you've done as a student/professional).  Tell your employer what you like to do in your free-time–but put an emphasis on the more "active" hobbies.  Are you interested in cooking?  Are you an avid softball player?  Do you have an interest in foreign literature?  Do you rock-climb in your free-time?  These are all things that help a prospective employer remember you ("let's bring in the girl who climbs rocks" is a lot more specific than "let's bring in one of the girls who is proficient with PowerPoint") while also (subtly) telling them that you're a go-getter who won't bore the crap out of people in the office.

If you can, try to tailor the interests you have to the type of job you're applying for. Think about the key requirements for the job and try to think of activities that show your have those traits.  Are you applying for a job that requires someone to be extroverted and personable?  Being involved in social activities like dance classes should stand out to your employer.  Are you applying for a job that puts a lot of emphasis on attention to detail?  Activities like cooking (which involves following a recipe closely and noting minor details with the food) car repair, or officiating youth sports leagues demonstrate that you can be detail-oriented.

The bottom line, though, is that you want the person reading your resume to feel like they know you a little bit after reading your resume–and like they want to get to know you better.  When you read your resume, ask yourself "what does this tell an employer about me?"  If you don't like the answer, it might be time to find a few new hobbies.

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