Your MBA résumé is not just a record of professional achievements; it’s also a window into who you are beyond work. Admissions committees want to know who you are outside your workspace, so your non-work activities, including community engagement, hobbies, and interests, play a significant role in presenting a well-rounded profile.

However, I often see candidates list generic hobbies, such as ‘traveling, hiking, trekking, reading, and cooking,’ without providing specific details that showcase their unique personalities.

Here’s how you can elevate this section to truly stand out:

Showcase Specificity

Providing laundry lists that merely name your interests will not offer insight into your personality. Instead, show details that depict your hobbies’ depth and scope.

 Examples of Specific Details for Hobbies:

Traveling:

1. Visited 15 countries, lived and worked in Hong Kong and the U.S.

2. Explored 40+ countries to explore different cultures and landmarks

Hiking:

1. Hiked seven trails in British Columbia’s interior, exploring remote alpine ecosystems.

2. Scaled the Chandrashila Peak in the Himalayas (13,000 feet above sea level).

Trekking:

1. Backpacked through eight U.S. national parks, embracing diverse landscapes

2. Alpine mountaineering enthusiast—climbed the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Peru, and India.

Reading:

1. Enjoy biographies of global leaders to study their decision-making styles

2. Read finance books to deepen knowledge of investment strategies

Cooking:

1. Experiment with traditional Italian recipes using organic ingredients.

2. Specialize in vegan fusion dishes inspired by Southeast Asian flavors.

Sports:

1. Regularly participate in regional tennis tournaments; semi-finalist in the 2023 state-level championship

2. Completed six half-marathons, with a personal best time of 1:45 in 2022

Adding depth to your hobbies and interests section does more than fill space—it gives the admissions committee a glimpse into your passions, dedication, and personality. It makes you memorable and helps your application resonate on a personal level.

Remember, every section of your résumé is an opportunity to tell your story. Make it count!

Good luck with your Round 2 applications😊

About MER (myEssayReview)

Poonam Tandon, the founder of MER (myEssayReview), is a Ph.D. in English with 13 years of MBA consulting experience and three decades of teaching experience in India and the US. Poonam has successfully guided hundreds of students from around the world to gain admission into the esteemed MBA, EMBA, and specialized master's programs in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Throughout her four-decade-long professional career, she has reviewed 11,000+ essays written by applicants worldwide. Poonam was among the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club from September 2012 to December 2023.

Need help with resumé construction? Fill out the free consultation  form or email Poonam at poonam@myessayreveiw.com

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