How to Discuss Your Hobbies and Interests During a Job Interview
As a job seeker, a job interview is one of the most crucial stages of the hiring process. It’s where you get to meet your potential employer face-to-face and showcase your skills, qualifications, and personality. However, interviews are not just a one-way street; employers also want to know about your hobbies and interests, which can reveal more about your character and work ethic. And while it may seem like an easy question, discussing your hobbies and interests during an interview can be challenging. In this article, we will cover some tips and strategies for discussing your hobbies and interests during a job interview.
Understanding the Purpose of Discussing Hobbies and Interests During a Job Interview
Before delving into how to discuss hobbies and interests during an interview, it’s essential to understand why employers ask this question in the first place. While your hobbies may seem unimportant to the job you’re applying for, they reveal more about your character, personality, and work ethic than you may think. Employers want to know if your hobbies align with the company’s culture and values and whether you possess the skills that could enhance your work.
For instance, if you’re applying for a job at a marketing agency that values creativity, you could discuss your passion for photography or painting. This shows the employer that you’re not just creative in your work, but also outside of it. It’s important to keep in mind that you should discuss hobbies that are relevant to the job you’re applying for and avoid discussing controversial or potentially offensive topics such as politics or religion.
Preparing Your Response
So, how do you prepare for the “tell me about your hobbies and interests” question? Start by researching the company’s culture and values to identify the skills and attributes they value. You can also look at the job description to see which skills and qualities they’re looking for in a candidate. Once you’ve identified these, choose hobbies or interests that demonstrate these qualities. For instance, if the job requires teamwork, you could discuss playing a team sport or volunteering in a group.
It’s also essential to be genuine and honest when discussing your hobbies and interests. Choose hobbies that you’re genuinely passionate about and can speak about confidently. Avoid making up hobbies or interests that you think the employer wants to hear as it may come off as insincere.
Structuring Your Response
When structuring your response, it’s important to be concise, clear, and engaging. Start by introducing your hobby or interest and why you enjoy it. Then, discuss how it has helped you develop skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Finally, tie it back to the company culture and values to show how it aligns with the position.
For instance, if you’re discussing playing a team sport, you could start by saying, “I love playing basketball in my free time because it’s a great way to stay active and challenge myself. Playing on a team has also taught me valuable skills such as communication, collaboration, and leadership”. You could then tie it back to the company culture by saying, “I know that your company values teamwork and collaboration, and I believe these skills will be crucial in this position.”
Conclusion
Discussing your hobbies and interests during a job interview may seem like a small part of the process, but it can reveal a lot about your character and work ethic. By preparing your response and structuring it in a clear and concise manner, you can showcase the skills and qualities that make you a strong candidate. Remember to be honest, genuine, and choose hobbies that align with the company culture, and you’ll be well on your way to acing your next job interview.
