While the average candidate devotes considerable time and skill in wording his qualifications and achievements in his/her Curriculum Vitae (CV), the section on hobbies is often neglected. Either it is worded carelessly without purpose or worded in run-of-the-mill fashion without imagination or attention to detail. The same applies to the face-to-face interview preparation. Candidates take great pains to prepare for interview questions on domain and even current affairs but hardly ever prepare to talk about this section. The aim of the present study is to explore how this section can be leveraged in the best possible manner to enhance the chances of recruitment.

College students when making their first Curriculum Vitae (CV) or preparing for their first job interviews are often flummoxed by the question what to write in the hobbies section—if to include it at all—and how to talk about hobbies or special interests during an interview. The concern is pertinent. Mentioning cooking as a hobby while applying for the job of a financial analyst may sound unprofessional and juvenile. On the other hand, ‘trading on the stock market’ sounds impressive but may be perceived as pretentious, and may backfire in a major way if the candidate cannot substantiate the claim.

Following are the questions that need to be addressed to leverage this section to the optimum:

• Is it necessary to have a section on hobbies in the CV?
• What to write in this section?
• How to talk about this section during an interview?
• How to prepare for this conversation?

Soft Skills Journal, Identifying, Communication, Employment, Hobbies Section.