How to Answer the Interview Question: What are Your Hobbies? 

Recruiters try to know the real person behind a resume by exploring their hobbies. So, one of the questions they ask is ‘What are your hobbies?’ While this question might seem casual, there’s an important why most recruiters ask it. Let’s find out the reason that compels recruiters to ask this question and also discover the best answer for what are your hobbies and interests in this detailed blog.

Why are Recruiters Interested to Know Your Hobbies?

Interviewers use personal questions like this to determine if you will be a good cultural fit for the company. Employers are interested in having employees who fit well with their team members. Asking about your interests allows them to gain insight into what kind of person you are outside of work hours and whether or not you have any skills relevant to their needs as an organization.

It also gives interviewers some idea of how creative, passionate, and adaptive someone might be when problem-solving on behalf of the business. This is something that may help set one candidate apart from another. Learn business communication to help increase your chances of landing your first job.

Tips for Answering ‘What are your Hobbies and Interests?

Once you have a thorough understanding of your hobbies, interests, and skills, you can create an effective response to the question. Here are some suggestions on how to answer to what are your hobbies during a job interview:

1. Select Relevant Interest

One of the most important tips to answer ‘What are your hobbies’ is deciding and selecting your relevant interests. If you have activities, pastimes, or hobbies that could be applicable to the job role you are interviewing for then it is advantageous to bring them up during your meeting. Examples of relevant extracurricular interests may include:

• Travelling and exploring new cultures
• Participating in volunteer work or charity events
• Engaging in sporting activities such as joining a team sports league
• Creating artwork with writing

2. Provide Only a Few Interest

Summarizing a couple of your extracurricular activities in just a few words will allow you to demonstrate both your level of enthusiasm as well as give insight into areas outside work life where your skills may lie. Unless prompted by an interviewer, however, it is not necessary to go too deeply into detail about any particular hobby or interest. Rather try not to exceed more than several sentences when conveying information about them.

3. Mention & Relate Your Hobby Directly to the Company

Create a carefully formulated list of extracurricular activities that are indicators of success in your intended place of work. This list should also include those values and/or passions that align with any recent efforts taken on by the company.

4. Try Using an Example to Specify Your Skills

Try using the STAR interview technique if you need a more detailed answer on how to answer what your hobbies are. For example,

• S – Identify a situation when you engaged in this activity.
• T – List the tasks that were necessary for the completion of this activity.
• A – Mention all the actions that you took while working on these tasks.
• R – And present results from completing them such as awards earned or recognition gained.

Utilizing this approach can help draw attention to important aspects related to your skillset, qualities they display, and/or values that are being demonstrated through these interests.

5. Discuss Ways You Can Use Your Hobbies on the Job

Think about how your extracurricular activities could be useful in the role you are applying for or within the company itself. You can demonstrate that interest by asking questions at the end of your response regarding how those skills, passions, and/or experiences might be put to use in the workplace. For example, you can inquire whether the company encourages community service initiatives or whether creative expression is encouraged during team bonding events.

6. Showcase Your People Skills

The HR manager looks for evidence of relevant skills or characteristics that would make an individual the best fit for a given role. For instance, if the job is in customer service, they are likely looking to hire someone with great interpersonal and communication abilities who can take initiative and be cooperative as part of a team. Therefore, you must share any experiences which demonstrate attributes such as leadership.

How to Answer ‘What Are Your Hobbies & Interests’  Based on Your Profession

When deciding how to answer the question ‘What are your interests’ based on your profession, it’s important to showcase activities that reflect your personal passions while also demonstrating skills or qualities relevant to your job. Here are the best answers to the interview question ‘What are your hobbies & interests’ based on various career choices:

1. Hobbies for Teachers

Here are some hobbies to balance and enhance your teaching journey. These activities foster personal growth and creativity:

1. One of my favorite hobbies is reading books. I’m particularly fond of non-fiction titles, especially those related to history and science. It’s been very beneficial as far as improving my knowledge about various fields and topics such as teaching & leadership techniques. It has also expanded my understanding of diverse cultures worldwide, something invaluable when striving towards being a more effective teacher/leader.
2. Baking cakes is one of my favorite leisure activities, and it has also been incredibly helpful to me in furthering my career as a teacher. Through baking, I have developed expertise that can be applied professionally. This hobby has enabled me to become more organized and methodical with my work-related tasks. Overall, participating in cake-baking pursuits is an activity that serves both pleasure purposes as well as aiding developmentally within the professional realm.

2. Hobbies for Software Engineer

Here are some hobbies to complement and enhance your coding & tech passion. These activities offer a way to unwind, stimulate creativity, and broaden skills. Let’s explore interests engineers have beyond the lines of code.

1. I absolutely love solving Rubik’s cubes and have been doing it for a few years now. I may not be the fastest, but I’m constantly trying to better my own speed so that I can finish in under two minutes. Through this hobby of mine, I’ve come to understand just how important patience and practice are when mastering any skill – success isn’t going to happen overnight; it takes time and commitment from all aspects if you really want to excel at something. This thought process is one that has benefited me greatly both personally as well as professionally.
2. As a software engineer, I’m passionate about creating efficient, dependable, and user-friendly systems. In my free time, I combine two of my passions – designing programs and tinkering with cars. Working on this allows me to get creative with different components and modify my cars for the best performance. From working on vehicles, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of precision in what you do as well as having patience and an open attitude to learning new things. This dedication has translated over into programming where being able to complete tasks without compromising quality is essential whilst always staying up-to-date with modern tech trends too.

3. Hobbies for Artists

Here are some hobbies to balance and enrich your creative journey. These activities provide a way to explore new artistic dimensions, find inspiration, and fuel passion for self-expression

1. For more than ten years, art dealing has been my cherished hobby. I take joy in uncovering the tales behind every piece of artwork. Certain artworks stir up an emotional response in me due to their powerful messages and meanings. I’m fascinated by all sorts of creative expressions coming from different parts of the world, reflecting unique cultural perspectives. This special hobby fills me with happiness and admiration for the beauty in the different parts of the world we live in.
2. I am truly passionate about graphic design as a hobby. It is incredibly gratifying to bring my creative ideas and solutions to life, turning visions into visually stunning and purposeful designs that leave an impression. I find joy in finding new ways of telling stories with visuals while simultaneously creating something beautiful and functional. Graphic design allows me the freedom to express myself through artistry combined with real-world application.

4. Hobbies For Sales Professionals

Here are some hobbies to complement and enhance your professional skills. These activities offer a way to sharpen communication, build relationships, and foster personal growth

1. I’m passionate about networking. I love getting to know new people and hearing their stories. It’s such an interesting way to learn more about the world around me, and what other folks are interested in or motivated by, as well as stay on top of industry trends. Plus it’s also a great opportunity for making valuable connections which can be incredibly helpful professionally.
2. I am passionate about the art of persuasion and communication as a hobby. I take great delight in learning more about negotiation and influence tactics, whether it be convincing friends to try out new things or simply engaging in debates with them. Through such activities, I get to hone my skills when expressing myself so that people can appreciate my ideas better while simultaneously bringing us closer together. This hobby not only brings me joy but also helps me further understand how conversations shape many aspects of life around me.

5. Hobbies for Management Positions

Here are some hobbies to balance and enrich your leadership journey. These activities offer a way to develop essential managerial skills, foster creativity, & maintain work-life balance

1. I’ve been blogging for about five years now, and it’s truly become one of my favorite hobbies. It allows me to express myself freely, plus I have picked up so much knowledge on social media marketing and branding from the experience as well. As someone who works in brand strategy, this has really enabled me to refine my message-crafting abilities while also helping me identify target audiences more easily plus figure out how best to reach them. Blogging is such an essential tool when you’re looking to build your personal brand.
2. Traveling and getting to know other cultures has been a really enriching experience for me. It not only allowed me to gain insight into foreign perspectives, but I was also able to connect with people from around the world on a more meaningful level. On top of that, it’s actually helped advance my career as well. Through all these amazing connections I’ve made while traveling abroad, I have opened professional doors that I may never have if I weren’t given this opportunity – talk about life-changing experiences.

Common Answers to the Question “What are Your Hobbies?”

When you’re asked ‘What are your hobbies’ in an interview, use it as an opportunity to share interesting aspects of your personality. Your answer can reveal your personality, interests, and how you spend your free time. Here are five simple and relatable answers you can give:

1. Reading

Reading is a common hobby that shows you enjoy learning and exploring new ideas. You could say, ‘I love reading different kinds of books, especially fiction and history. It helps me relax and learn new things about the world.’

2. Traveling

Traveling is a great way to show that you enjoy new experiences and are open to learning about different cultures. You might say, ‘I love traveling to new places and meeting people from different backgrounds. It helps me see things from a fresh perspective and grow as a person.’

3. Sports and Fitness

Sports and fitness activities highlight your commitment to staying healthy and working as part of a team. You could say, ‘I enjoy playing basketball with friends. It keeps me active and teaches me the importance of teamwork and staying focused.’

4. Volunteering

Volunteering shows that you care about others and like to give back to the community. A simple answer could be, ‘I spend time volunteering at a local animal shelter. It’s rewarding to help others, and it has taught me the value of kindness and responsibility.’

5. Cooking

Cooking is a hobby that combines creativity with careful planning. You might say, ‘I love cooking and trying out new recipes. It’s a fun way to be creative, and I enjoy sharing meals with family and friends.’

What Not to Say When Talking About Your Hobbies

Rehearsing the answer to, ‘What are your hobbies?’ is just as important as preparing for other questions in an interview. You want to make sure that you know what kind of words and phrasing will be most effective, so pay close attention when choosing how to properly articulate your interests outside of work. Here are a few tips on what not to say when answering the ‘What are your hobbies’ interview question:

1. Controversial Subjects

It is important to maintain a professional demeanor and conversational tone when attending an interview. Refrain from discussing topics such as politics or religion, as well as any illegal activities. Instead, emphasize your qualifications and experiences that are applicable to the position you are applying for in order to have a successful conversation with the interviewer.

2. Be Careful About Personal Conversation

Try to keep conversations during the interview more focused on topics related to your hobbies or interests, rather than bringing up any personal issues. Asking interviewers questions about their own life outside work can also be off-putting, so try not to bring those things into conversation with them either.

3. Don’t Talk Too Much About Your Hobbies

It’s okay to bring up your hobbies and extracurricular activities as a part of the conversation, however, it is important not to get too carried away. During an interview, you should try to keep answers brief while still providing key information about yourself that would show why you’re suitable for the job. You don’t need to go into great detail unless specifically asked by the interviewer. Remember, they are more interested in overall fit than any individual hobby or activity.

4. Don’t Say You Have No Hobbies

Not having an answer ready when asked about ‘What are your hobbies and interests,’ may suggest that you don’t take the time to pursue activities outside of work. Anything that brings enjoyment or satisfaction can be considered a hobby, regardless of whether it is widely recognized as such and even if it doesn’t make you more educated or wealthy. Even though what you do for fun might not seem like “hobbies” in the traditional sense, talk openly about whatever interests bring joy into your life.

Conclusion

Ace the answer to the question, ‘What are your hobbies’ and set yourself apart from other applicants. Use the STAR method and pick interests that showcase skills related to the job or align with company values. Don’t discuss overly personal topics, focus on areas that show off relevant abilities and make you stand out positively. Showcase what makes you unique.

Want to learn more job interview tips? Check out our blog on common interview questions for freshers and learn how to answer them.

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