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"So, what do you do for fun?"
You're in an interview, and you've prepared for interview questions about your strengths, your weaknesses, your biggest challenges, and your greatest achievements, but you weren't prepared for this one.
What do I do for fun, anyway? Does this interviewer really have a genuine interest in hearing about my video game records or my knitting skills?
When a hiring manager asks questions about your personality, what you do in your free time, or how you unwind, they look for more than a one-sentence answer.
Sure, you love movies, but why?
You're passionate about your local sports teams, but does that translate to you being a loyal employee?
When answering this question, finding ways to relate your hobbies and passions to the job is great. However, it's not imperative to find ways to match every hobby and activity to your job. Perhaps your hobbies have nothing to do with your career. Maybe you play basketball or play crossword puzzles specifically to disconnect and recharge. That's great, too!
In this article, we'll give insight into answering this question while making a good impression in an interview setting.
Why Do Interviewers Ask “What Do You Like to Do for Fun?"
Why do interviewers care about what you do for fun or what you do outside of work? How can your love of hiking or passion for creating recipes from scratch translate into your sales role?
You might be surprised.
Hiring managers ask this question to get a feel for who you are as a person. They want to see whether your interests align with the job, company culture, and potential coworkers.
Many hiring managers ask this question to get a feel for who you are. They might want to know that you have clear work-life balance. They might even be looking to talk about hobbies to find common ground.
There aren't really any bad answers to this question, but it's important to create interesting connections between your hobbies and your motivations. Answering this common interview question is all about providing context. Let the interviewer know a little bit about who you are by giving a peek into your leisure time.
How to Answer “What Do You Do for Fun?”
The best way to prepare for this type of question is to refer back to the job post for some hints.
You can expect a variation of this interview question in a job interview. Here are a few variations of the interview question, "What do you do for fun?"
- What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
- How do you like to spend your free time?
- What activities do you enjoy when you're not working?
1. Make a List of Your Hobbies
What activity do you daydream about during a grueling workday? What is the one thing you look forward to spacing to over the weekend?
Think about your hobbies. Now, let's create a list of your favorite things to do. We'll edit it later.
Hobbies to Consider Sharing in an Interview:
- Photography: Capturing beautiful moments and exploring different perspectives through photography.
- Hiking: Exploring nature trails and enjoying the great outdoors.
- Cooking/Baking: Trying out new recipes and experimenting with different cuisines.
- Reading: Engaging in various genres, from fiction to self-improvement books.
- Painting/Drawing: Expressing creativity through visual art.
- Playing a Musical Instrument: Enjoying the beauty of music through playing an instrument like guitar, piano, or violin.
- Gardening: Cultivating plants and creating a serene green space.
- Traveling: Exploring new cultures and destinations to broaden horizons.
- Volunteering: Giving back to the community and helping others in need.
- Playing Sports: Staying active through sports like tennis, basketball, or soccer.
- Writing: Expressing thoughts through blogging, journaling, or creative writing.
- Yoga/Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and relaxation through yoga or meditation.
- Collecting: Building a collection of items like stamps, coins, or vintage memorabilia.
- DIY Projects: Crafting and building things with your hands.
- Gaming: Playing video games or board games for entertainment.
- Dancing: Learning and dancing to different styles, from salsa to hip-hop.
- Astronomy: Observing celestial objects and studying the stars and planets.
- Film/TV Series: Enjoying movies and binge-watching TV series.
- Wine Tasting: Exploring different wines and appreciating their flavors.
- Running: Participating in marathons or jogging for fitness and challenge.
- Self-care: Taking care of your own physical and mental health.
You might not want to share some of these hobbies. For example, many of us like to snuggle into our cuddliest blankie and watch Netflix for hours on end to rest and recharge. That might not be something to share in an interview—unless, perhaps, you're interviewing at Netflix. In that case, you could share some of your favorite programs and why you loved them so much!
Perhaps you play on an intramural soccer team on the weekend. Maybe you're even the captain of your team. This is a great hobby to share—and relates directly to your aspirations to gain the leadership role for which you are interviewing.
This brings us to our next step. Let's relate our favorite fun things to the skills we want to highlight in this interview setting.
2. Relate Them to Your Job
We already mentioned that you don't want to give simple, one-sentence answers to this question. If you're going to share your hobbies, find a way to relate the to lucrative job skills—especially the skills needed for the job at hand.
Here's are some examples of how you could relate the hobbies above to today's best job skills:
- Photography: Demonstrates attention to detail and creativity, valuable for roles that require visual design or content creation.
- Hiking: Exhibits discipline and perseverance, valuable in problem-solving and project management roles.
- Cooking/Baking: Showcases organizational skills and ability to follow instructions accurately, relevant for positions that require attention to processes and procedures.
- Reading: Highlights continuous learning and a thirst for knowledge, essential for roles that involve research and staying updated on industry trends.
- Painting/Drawing: Illustrates a keen eye for aesthetics and the ability to think outside the box, beneficial for roles in graphic design or artistic endeavors.
- Playing a Musical Instrument: Demonstrates dedication and practice, indicative of a strong work ethic that translates to professional roles.
- Gardening: Exhibits patience and nurturing abilities, which can be valuable in leadership or mentorship positions.
- Traveling: Demonstrates adaptability and cultural awareness, crucial for roles that involve international business or multicultural interactions.
- Volunteering: Highlights compassion and empathy, traits that can be valuable in roles focused on customer service or community engagement.
- Playing Sports: Reflects teamwork and a competitive spirit, relevant for positions that involve collaboration and goal-oriented tasks.
- Writing: Showcases effective communication skills and the ability to convey ideas clearly, vital for roles in marketing, content creation, or public relations.
- Yoga/Meditation: Demonstrates stress management and emotional intelligence, beneficial for roles that require resilience and leadership under pressure.
- Collecting: Exhibits attention to detail and organizational skills, valuable for roles that involve data analysis or record-keeping.
- DIY Projects: Illustrates problem-solving and hands-on skills, relevant for roles in engineering, construction, or any practical field.
- Gaming: Highlights strategic thinking and adaptability, beneficial for positions that involve analytical tasks or project management.
- Dancing: Shows confidence and creativity, relevant for roles in performing arts, events management, or public speaking.
- Astronomy: Demonstrates curiosity and scientific thinking, valuable for research or data analysis roles.
- Film/TV: Exhibits storytelling abilities and a grasp of visual media, relevant for media production or marketing roles.
- Wine Tasting: Demonstrates a refined palate and attention to sensory details, valuable for hospitality or product development roles.
- Running: Illustrates dedication to personal health and goal-setting, relevant for roles that require self-motivation and perseverance.
- Self-care: Reflects the ability to maintain work-life balance and prioritize well-being, valuable for roles that require stress management and leadership skills.
We are not suggesting that every hobby or activity you engage in needs to relate to your work, but it's great to prepare to mention some leisure activities that can relate to your job.
3. Create Your Story
We love weaving stories into job interviews whenever possible. By sharing stories, you're actively showing what sets you apart from other candidates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering “What Do You Do for Fun?”
Last but certainly not least, there are some answers or topics to avoid when crafting your answer.
Don't Undersell Yourself
One of the reasons it's crucial to prepare to answer this question is so that you don't give a simple or underwhelming answer. Don't say something like, "I don't really have hobbies," or "I don't know. I'm always working."
Interviewers ask this question specifically to get to know another side of you. Give them an answer that has context and adds dimension to who you are as a candidate and a person.
Don't Talk About Illegal Activities
When answering "What do you do for fun?" try to steer away from answers that are illegal—or on the edge of being illegal. You can also avoid sharing anything that might cause an interviewer to have bias against you.
Avoid Religion and Politics
It's also best to avoid hobbies touching your political or religious beliefs. These are typically subjects that are not appropriate in interview settings.
Don't Embellish the Truth
Don't lie about any hobbies or interests—especially in an effort to impress any hiring manager. Be truthful when speaking about what you do for fun.
When answering this interview question, the key is to be genuine and share hobbies that genuinely interest you and align with your personality. It's also a great conversation starter and can help create a positive first impression during the interview.
