Hobbies on Your CV: How to Score Points in Switzerland

Do hobbies belong on your CV? Many job applicants in Switzerland ask themselves this question. The short answer is: yes, but not all of them. Used correctly, hobbies can highlight your personality and make you stand out from other candidates. In this article from PARAT Magazine, we take a look at how to place your leisure activities strategically on your CV.

Why Hobbies on Your CV Are Relevant

Many people think a CV is merely a list of career steps and skills. That's not entirely true. HR managers in Switzerland are looking for people who fit into the team. Hobbies offer an insight into your personality, soft skills, and values.

They can be an excellent icebreaker during a job interview. For example, playing team sports signals teamwork skills. If you organize events in your spare time, it demonstrates leadership skills and organizational talent.

Which Hobbies Belong on Your CV (and Which Don't)

Not every hobby is relevant for every position. Here are a few tips on what you should keep in mind:

• Relevance to the job: If you are applying for a creative position, hobbies like photography or painting are a plus. For an accounting job, serving as treasurer for a local club might be interesting.
• Avoid passive hobbies: "Reading", "listening to music", or "meeting friends" are nice activities, but they say little about your specific skills. Try to be more specific (e.g., "reading technical literature on technology" or "organizing neighborhood festivals").
• Be cautious with extreme or risky hobbies: Extreme sports can be off-putting to some employers (risk of injury). Think carefully about whether you want to mention them.
• Politics and religion: These topics are sensitive. Only mention them if they are relevant to the target position (e.g., applying to a political party or an NGO).

How PARAT Magazine Helps You

Unsure how to best showcase your hobbies? The PARAT CV-Wizard offers templates specifically tailored to the Swiss market, allowing you to present your leisure activities professionally and appealingly.

You can find more tips on the perfect CV in our article Tipps zum Bewerbungsfoto in der Schweiz.

Conclusion: Quality Over Quantity

Limit yourself to two or three hobbies that genuinely say something about you and ideally match the target position. Be honest, as questions about them might come up in the interview. With the right selection, you can win sympathy points and stay memorable.