Was+Had/Am+Has

The context will determine what the best choice is. As a grammar consideration both are usable depending on what the context is.

In a best usage scenario, the advice is to keep it in the active voice...to keep engaging the attention of the reader. Also it is unclear if this event is something that has happened in the past. I may be off-base to suggest the present tense....but....

If you're including this sentence in a job application, I'd suggest the following:
"My hope is that they would see that I am a serious individual who has an interest in business."

Thanks for your helpful feedback, Ragman. OK, the full context was a college report in which I was talking about my past work experience. This section read:

'I dressed smartly every day and maintained professional behaviour. My hope was that they would see that I am a serious individual who has a strong interest in business.'

I'm confused because, yes, it's a report on past activity, but it's describing my current traits (serious and businesslike!). It reminds me of the "one-tense back" rule; I wonder if that applies?

Keep it in the present tense and active voice - especially because those traits are still true and that is what they want to know.

Many thanks!