We’ve noticed something while reviewing marketing CVs recently: far fewer candidates seem to include an interests section.
It was once a fairly standard way to finish a CV. Now, as candidates make their applications tighter, more tailored and more focused on results, interests are often the first thing to disappear.
So, do they still belong on a marketing CV?
Why are interests sections disappearing?
Marketers are being encouraged to use every part of their CV to demonstrate relevant experience and impact.
When space is limited, it makes sense to prioritise campaign results, commercial outcomes, specialist skills and the level of responsibility held. An extra achievement will usually tell an employer more than a generic list of hobbies.
Many candidates are also tailoring their CV for each role. As we explain in our guide to showing the value of a broad marketing role, the most relevant information should be the easiest to find.
However, that does not mean interests are automatically wasted space.
When can interests add value?
A short interests section can give the reader a glimpse of the person behind the experience. It may provide a natural starting point for conversation or reveal skills and knowledge that do not appear elsewhere on the CV.
It can be particularly useful when:
• You are at the beginning of your career and have limited professional experience
• You are changing sectors and have a genuine connection to the industry you want to enter
• You run a relevant personal project, community or event
• Your interests demonstrate creative or technical skills not covered by your employment
• The information adds something distinctive and genuine
For marketers, that might include producing a newsletter, photographing grassroots sport, volunteering on the marketing team for a local charity or building an online community around a particular subject.
The interest does not have to be directly related to work. It should simply tell the reader something meaningful that they could not learn from the rest of your CV.
Specific beats generic
The value usually comes from the detail.
This tells an employer very little:
Interests: Reading, travelling and spending time with friends.
This gives them something more useful to understand and discuss:
Interests: Producing a monthly newsletter about independent food brands and volunteering with the marketing team for a local arts festival.
There is no need to turn every hobby into proof of leadership, teamwork or commercial awareness. A little context is enough to make the section feel considered rather than copied from a CV template.
Only include interests that are genuine and that you would be comfortable discussing during an interview.
When should you leave interests out?
Leave the section out if it forces you to remove stronger evidence of your professional experience.
Your CV first needs to make your level, remit and results clear. If it currently reads as a long list of responsibilities, focus on why some marketing CVs get interviews before adding anything personal.
You can also leave interests out when:
• They are broad enough to apply to almost anyone
• They repeat information already shown elsewhere
• You would prefer to keep your personal life separate from your application
Candidates should not feel obliged to share personal information to prove that they will be a good “culture fit”. Equally, hiring managers should avoid using someone’s hobbies to make assumptions about how well they will perform at work.
Are interests sections outdated?
Our view is that an interests section is optional, not outdated.
Keep it if it makes your CV more specific, memorable or relevant. Remove it if it adds little or takes space away from stronger evidence of your work.
The best marketing CVs still make the professional case first. They show what the person owned, what they achieved and how their experience relates to the opportunity. Interests can add personality around the edges, but they cannot replace that evidence.
If you are considering your next move, explore the marketing specialisms we recruit across or browse our latest marketing and commercial jobs.
Photo by Vandan Patel on Unsplash