Interviewing for a job is always a tough process. You want to make a good impression and stand out from the rest of the candidates, but you also don't want to say anything that will disqualify you. One question that is often asked is "What do you like to do for fun?" This can be a difficult question to answer because often people's hobbies and interests vary widely.
How can you answer job interview questions about having a good time?
Take your time thinking about the question. You want your interviewer to notice how you carefully consider your responses to these questions. The best way to answer this question is to think about the things that make you happy. What activities do you enjoy doing that makes you feel good? When you can share something that makes you happy, it can show the interviewer that you are a positive person who is looking for a job that will allow you to have fun.
Think about your hobbies and interests, and try to find a common ground with the company you are interviewing with. If the company has a culture of being active and enjoying the outdoors, then mention it. Be honest with your answer. If you don't like to do anything for fun, that's okay! Just be sure to share something that is interesting about you. Be careful not to lie about your hobbies or interests, as this could come back to bite you later.
Make sure you ask clarifying questions. This will help you to better understand the company's culture and the types of activities they enjoy. When answering this question, it is important to keep in mind the company's culture and what they are looking for in a candidate.
If you are interviewing for a job at a tech company, for example, your interviewer might not be interested in hearing about how you like to go camping every weekend. However, if you are interviewing for a job at a nature preserve, then mentioning your love of camping would be more appropriate.
Describe how you go about making decisions because this is also a key indicator of personality. Do you like to take time to think about things before making a decision, or do you prefer to make decisions quickly? This is an important question to answer because it can show how you might handle work-related decisions. When answering this question, try to give an example of a time when you made a decision that was important to you. Sharing an example can help the interviewer understand how you think.
What will you do for fun – how to answer?
Here are some pieces of advice for you to consider when answering such a question in the interview.
Choose a hobby for yourself
The first and most important thing you can do to answer this question is to choose a hobby for yourself. Don't try to copy what the interviewer says, or worse – make something up on the spot. This will only show that you're unprepared and uninterested in the job. Instead, take some time to think about what you like to do in your spare time, whether it's playing sports, reading books, or watching movies.
Pay attention to the values
How you use your free time says a lot about what you care about in your life outside of work. If you choose a hobby that is in line with the company's values, it will show the interviewer that you're interested in the company and its culture. For example, if the company emphasizes environmentalism, you could choose a hobby like hiking or biking.
Be yourself
As with all interview questions, it's important to be yourself when answering this one. Choose a hobby that genuinely interests you and that you can talk about with enthusiasm. This will make it easier for the interviewer to get to know you better and see if you would be a good fit for the job. In the end, the most important thing is to be genuine and honest.
Tell a tale
At first, it seems like a difficult question, but with a bit of thought you can come up with a great answer. Think about an interesting hobby that you have, and tell a story about it. This will help the interviewer see what you're like outside of work and learn more about your personality. For example, if you enjoy cooking, you could talk about the time you made a three-course meal for your friends. Not only will this show your skills in the kitchen, but it will also give the interviewer a taste of your personality.
Tell why you enjoy it
Finally, you could also answer this question by telling the interviewer why you enjoy your hobby. This will show them that you're passionate about it and that you have a good amount of experience with it. It can also help them see how your hobby could relate to the job. For example, if you like painting, you could talk about how you've been painting for years and have learned a lot about color theory and composition.
What can you tell when an interviewer asks fun facts about yourself?
Sometimes your future employers want to listen to see if you have a good personality and will be a good fit for the company culture. Other times, they're just curious about what makes you tick. They also want to check your logic and quickness in making decisions. Because in such a case a person who applies for a position should be asked to think and answer on their feet.
So, the first option is to tell about your non-traditional career path. It would be interesting to know why you have chosen this specific career and what other options you have considered.
The second option is to share your passion for a hobby or activity. Employers love employees with hobbies because it means they're not just working all the time. They also want to see if you can be passionate about something outside of work.
Remember an SFW story that will paint you in a good light. SFW story is a story that is safe for work.
Another hint for you is a story about the skill you have learned recently, It may be helpful to think about what you have been doing in your spare time. For example, if you recently learned how to swing dance, you could share that story with the interviewer.
The best way to answer this question is to stay positive and avoid sharing any negative stories. No one wants to hear about your messy break-up or how you got a ticket for speeding last month. Keep your answer light and focus on things that make you happy.
Option 1:
I actually have a non-traditional career path. I didn't follow the traditional route of going to school, getting a job, and working my way up the ladder. I started my own business and it's been doing well ever since.
Option 2:
I love hiking and camping. I'm always looking for new trails to explore and campsites to camp at. My friends would say that I'm always up for an adventure.
Option 3:
I'm a big fan of puzzles. I love the challenge of trying to figure out the solution. I usually have a few puzzles going at once and I like to see how fast I can solve them.
Option 4:
I'm actually pretty new to swing dancing. I started taking lessons a few months ago and I'm really enjoying it. It's a lot of fun to learn something new.
How do I express my hobbies in an interview?
There is another point when you are trying to describe what do you usually do for fun – how can you do it correctly? Because some people do not really have any hobbies, or they might not want to talk about their boring hobbies. So what can you do in this case? Tell the interviewer about your hobbies with passion! This is a good opportunity to show your personality. For example, if you like to read, talk about the last book you read and why you liked it. If you like to cook, talk about your favorite recipe and how you came up with it. If you like to travel, tell a story about your best trip.
Hobbies may be the key to your personality. Use them to your advantage! When you are asked what do you like to do for fun, don’t be afraid to show your personality and talk about your hobbies with a passion. It will help you stand out from the other candidates.
Still, keep your reply brief and to the point. It must be relevant to the job you are interviewing for. Otherwise, you might lose their interest. Connect your passion to your career. In some or other way you should link your hobby to the future job, The interviewer wants to hear about your sculpting for fun when applying for the position of web designer rather than your origami passion when applying for a nurse. That is because the interviewer is looking for clues about how you might approach your job, should you be hired. So if you can find a way to talk about your hobby that is relevant to the job at hand, go ahead and do it!
But don't force it – if you can't think of anything, just stick with the basics. Be truthful and concise, and don't oversell yourself. Remember, your hobbies are just a small part of who you are as a person. Just relax and be yourself!
Don't discuss politics or subjects that might be considered controversial. You don't want to risk saying something that might offend the interviewer. Any controversial issue, even if you are a fan of one football team and an interviewer likes another football team will decrease your chances of being hired.
Never tell people that you have no interests. If you have nothing to do for fun, that's okay! Just say that you like to relax by reading, watching movies, or spending time with family and friends. Don't make up some hobby that you don't really have – it will be easy to spot if you're lying, and it will ruin your chances of getting the job.
In short, just be honest and talk about your hobbies with enthusiasm! It will help you stand out from the other candidates.
What are some other tricky interview questions for you to know?
Besides the question about your hobbies, here are some other tricky interview questions to watch out for:
- "What is your greatest weakness?"
- "What are your salary requirements?"
- "Why are you leaving your current job?"
- "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
- "Why is there a gap in your work history?"
- "Tell me about a time when you screwed up"
To answer all those tricky questions, it's important to be prepared. Do your research on the company, read up on the latest industry news, and practice answering common interview questions. For example, if you are asked about your weaknesses, be prepared to give an honest answer that also shows that you are working on improving that weakness.
Saying that you like to read books in your free time for fun is much different than saying that you read medical journals in order to stay up-to-date on the latest medical procedures for work. Both of those examples would be true, but one sounds much more interesting than the other. Try to find a way to make your hobby interesting!
What are good icebreaker questions for you to use during the interview?
Icebreaking questions are those that help to break the ice and start a conversation. They can be about anything from the weather to travel. Here are some examples:
- What was the most valuable piece of advice you've ever been given?
- What do you want to be remembered for when you die?
- What is your favorite thing you've purchased this year?
- What is the most amazing scientific discovery for you?
Such questions are always a great way to help the interviewer get to know you better. Be prepared to answer them with enthusiasm, and don't be afraid to share some of your personal thoughts and feelings. The interviewer wants to see that you are a friendly and personable individual – someone they would want to work with!