Why Your Resume Needs an Interests Section

We’ve seen hundreds of legal resumes, and we’re here to tell you: skipping the interests section is a missed opportunity.

Yes, your resume’s main job is to highlight your legal skills, credentials, and achievements, but you’re more than just a JD. You’re a person. A real human with hobbies, quirks, and passions, and believe it or not, hiring partners care about that. Including a short interests section at the bottom of your resume can make you more relatable and memorable.

Why It Matters

It Can Spark Conversation

Are you a Barry’s Bootcamp fanatic? I was. When I was interviewing for 2L summer positions, I listed Barry’s as an interest and ended up having at least five conversations about Barry’s during OCI. It turns out that several firms actually organize Barry’s classes for summer associates as part of their summer programs. That one interest gave me a real, human moment with interviewers and helped me connect in a way my transcript never could.

It Makes You Stand Out in a Sea of Lookalikes

A lot of legal resumes look the same. Same top law school. Same journals. Same practice area. A well-thought-out interests section is a small but powerful way to differentiate yourself. It shows that you’re not just another commercial litigator: you’re the one training for a marathon or who has read every Agatha Christie novel three times.

 It Helps You Pass the Vibe Check

Hiring decisions aren’t just about your credentials. They’re also about whether you are someone the practice group actually wants in the trenches with them, in the middle of trial or during a 2:00 am closing. An interests section signals I’m not a robot. I have a life. I’m someone you would want on your deal team. It shows personality, relatability, and gives a glimpse of what kind of colleague you will be.

Tips for Writing a Strong Interests Section

• Keep it short. Three to five items max. One line in list format.

• Be specific. “Travel” and “food” are too vague. Try “backpacked solo through Southeast Asia” or “on a quest to try every Michelin-starred restaurant in NYC.”

• Make it authentic. Only list things you genuinely enjoy. If it’s on your resume, it’s fair game in an interview, so skip anything you can’t actually talk about.

Bottom Line

Your interests section won’t land the job on its own, but in a competitive market, it can move the needle.