How much do interviewers care about hobbies that aren’t directly related to finance? Should I include them in my resume or rather not? I do roadbiking and triathlon, so maybe it could be valued as a sign of perseverance?
I totally get where you're coming from, and honestly, hobbies like road biking and triathlon can actually be a real asset in interviews! It might feel like they’re not directly related to finance, but they can show a lot about who you are as a person, which can be just as important.
At the end of the day, your hobbies show that you’re a well-rounded individual. Just remember, it's about balance. Your professional experience should always come first, but sharing a bit about your personal interests can definitely help show the full picture of who you are. So go ahead and mention your love for biking and triathlons, but tie them back to those key traits that make you an amazing candidate.
Best,
Rita
You can add them or not. In the end, it will not make the big difference and your professional experience is much more important.
If you need any support with polishing your CV, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Hobbies can definitely be relevant in an interview, even if they aren't directly related to finance, especially when they reflect valuable qualities that interviewers are looking for. The key is how you present them and what they say about you as a person beyond just your technical skills.
For something like road biking or triathlon, these can absolutely be seen as positive attributes. These hobbies demonstrate traits like perseverance, discipline, and commitment—qualities that are highly valued in investment banking (IB), where long hours, high pressure, and endurance are part of the job. Sharing how you’ve trained for and completed these challenging activities can highlight your ability to handle stress, stay focused, and push through tough situations—qualities that are definitely transferable to the workplace.
In terms of whether to include hobbies on your resume, I’d say yes, but be strategic. Include them if they can help highlight your personality or soft skills in a way that strengthens your application. Make sure to tie them to qualities that are relevant to the job—like teamwork, resilience, time management, or goal-setting. For example, you could mention that training for a triathlon has taught you how to manage your time effectively and persevere through physical and mental challenges, which parallels the demands of working in IB.
If your hobbies don't directly relate to finance, it’s still a good idea to include them, as they can provide an opportunity to connect on a more personal level with your interviewer. It shows that you’re well-rounded and have a life outside of work, which helps balance the picture of you as a potential hire.
So, go ahead and include road biking and triathlons on your resume—but make sure you’re ready to explain how they reflect your work ethic and can translate into success in the workplace. It’s all about connecting the dots between what you do in your free time and the skills or mindset you’ll bring to the role.
Honestly, I’ve wondered about this too. From what I’ve seen, hobbies aren’t the most important part of a resume, but they can still help, especially if they show something about your personality or skills that’s useful in finance.
For example, road biking and triathlon sound like they could be a plus. They show perseverance and that you’re good at setting and sticking to goals—stuff that’s pretty relevant in finance.
I included my hobbies (cooking and pottery) on my resume, even though they’re not exactly “finance-related.” I figured they might make me seem more approachable or well-rounded.
