In today's hyper-competitive job market, standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. With countless applicants vying for the same roles—many submitting polished, AI-generated resumes—job seekers are experimenting with ways to inject personality into their applications. One recent viral moment on social media highlighted this tension perfectly: a hiring manager in banking rejected a qualified candidate simply for listing "olive oil" as a personal interest.
The anonymous post, which garnered millions of views, declared that such an unusual hobby signaled the applicant wasn't "normal" or "well-adjusted" enough for finance roles, sparking widespread debate. Defenders argued it's no different from listing wine tasting or gourmet cooking, and that a niche passion like olive oil could demonstrate curiosity, attention to detail, or cultural appreciation. Critics, however, sided with the recruiter, viewing it as too quirky or irrelevant.
This incident raises a bigger question: Should you include hobbies on your resume at all—and if so, when does it help or hurt?
Why Hobbies Are Making a Comeback
Career experts note that resumes have evolved over time. In the past, including personal interests was more common, but the rise of applicant tracking systems (ATS), keyword optimization, and a focus on skills and experience pushed hobbies to the sidelines. Job seekers were advised to "stick to the facts."
Now, things are shifting again. With so many applications looking identical, a touch of personality can make you memorable.
"Companies are drowning in resumes," says Glen Loveland, senior career coach at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, "many of them AI-generated. Every resume looks similar." He adds that showing a "flash of personality"—whether on the resume or during an interview—helps candidates stand out from templated submissions.
Erin Kennedy, executive resume writer and CEO of Professional Resume Services, echoes this sentiment. She's noticed more clients adding hobbies recently, from vintage Star Wars collections to pickleball enthusiasm. "People are just clamoring to be seen, to differentiate from everyone else," she explains, "because being hired today is a lot different than it was three, five years ago."
The Key: Relevance and Research
Not every hobby belongs on every resume. Experts emphasize tailoring your application to the job, company, and industry.
In conservative fields like banking or finance, unconventional interests might raise eyebrows or seem out of place. But in creative, dynamic, or consumer-facing roles—think marketing, food industry, or startups—a unique passion could spark interest.
The best approach? Make hobbies **relevant**. If you're applying to an outdoor gear company, mentioning hiking or adventure travel is a smart move. For a specialty food retailer, olive oil expertise could genuinely align with the brand and showcase product knowledge.
If space is tight or the risk feels high, save hobbies for LinkedIn, your cover letter, or interview conversations. Researching the interviewer ahead of time can also pay off—if you spot a shared interest on their profile, it becomes a natural icebreaker for building rapport.
A Litmus Test for Company Culture
Interestingly, the response to your hobbies can reveal a lot about the employer. Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume, points out that rejecting someone over something innocuous like olive oil might signal a rigid or uncurious culture. "It doesn’t reflect very well for the company," she says.
Ultimately, prioritize qualifications first: experience, skills, and achievements should dominate your resume. Hobbies are the optional spice—not the main course. As Escalera puts it, "The number one most important thing, of course, is to get hired."
In a world flooded with generic applications, a well-chosen personal detail can help you pop. Just make sure it's thoughtful, relevant, and authentic to you. Who knows? Your "olive oil" equivalent might just land you the conversation—and the job—you've been waiting for.