"So, what do you like to do for fun?"
It seems like such a simple, innocent question during a job interview. Just a bit of friendly chit-chat to break the ice, right?
Not quite.
In reality, this casual-sounding question is a strategic tool interviewers use to peek behind your professional facade and get a sense of who you really are.
Surprisingly, many candidates find themselves stumbling when asked about something as personal as their hobbies.
Maybe you freeze up, wondering if admitting you spend weekends playing video games will make you seem immature.
Or perhaps you panic and claim you enjoy "analyzing spreadsheets for fun" (please don't say this unless it's genuinely true!).
The truth is, while there's no single "right" answer to this question, there are definitely approaches that work better than others.
And with a little preparation, you can turn this potential stumbling block into an opportunity to connect with your interviewer and strengthen your candidacy.
In this guide, we'll break down:
- Why interviewers actually ask this seemingly casual question
- How to select which hobbies to mention (and which to keep to yourself)
- Practical strategies for crafting an authentic yet strategic response
- Real examples that have helped candidates land their dream jobs
Let's get into it.
Why do interviewers really ask about your hobbies?
First, let's understand what's actually happening when an interviewer asks about your leisure activities.
They're not just making conversation (though building rapport is part of it). What they're really doing is digging for valuable information about you that might not appear on your resume.
Here's what they're actually trying to learn:
Are you a cultural fit?
Companies care about team dynamics, and they want to know if your personality will mesh well with the existing culture. Your hobbies can offer clues about your values, communication style, and how you might interact with colleagues.
For example, if you mention team sports as a hobby, it suggests you're comfortable in collaborative environments. If you enjoy solo activities like reading or painting, it might indicate you're self-motivated and can work independently.
Do you have a good work-life balance?
Employers know that burnout is real, and they want employees who have sustainable lifestyles. Mentioning hobbies shows you have interests outside of work and ways to recharge your batteries.
A candidate without any hobbies might raise concerns about their ability to manage stress or their tendency to overwork to the point of diminishing returns.
What skills do you bring beyond your resume?
Your pastimes can reveal valuable soft skills and personality traits not explicitly stated in your work experience.
A passion for chess might highlight your strategic thinking. Community volunteering could showcase your empathy and leadership abilities. Even something like gardening demonstrates patience and attention to detail.
How genuine and authentic are you?
The way you talk about your interests can reveal your authenticity. When people discuss things they truly enjoy, there's usually a natural enthusiasm in their voice and manner.
Interviewers can often tell when someone is making up interests to sound impressive versus speaking genuinely about something they love.
How to choose which hobbies to mention
Now that you understand the "why" behind the question let's talk about strategy. Not all hobbies will serve you equally well in an interview context.
Step 1: Create your complete hobby inventory
Before your interview, make a comprehensive list of everything you genuinely enjoy doing in your free time. Don't filter yourself at this stage - include everything from cooking and hiking to video games and binge-watching reality TV.
The key here is authenticity. These need to be activities you actually enjoy, not things you think sound impressive.
Step 2: Identify hobbies that showcase relevant qualities
Review your list and identify hobbies that demonstrate qualities valuable for the role you're seeking. For example:
- Leadership roles: Coaching a youth sports team, organizing community events, leading a book club
- Creative positions: Photography, writing, playing music, crafting
- Technical roles: Building computers, coding personal projects, solving puzzles
- Client-facing positions: Social volunteering, teaching, performance arts, team sports
Step 3: Consider cultural alignment
Research the company culture and values. If possible, look at the company's social media or team page to get a sense of what employees do outside work.
If you notice the company values community involvement and you volunteer, that's worth highlighting. If they pride themselves on innovation and you build robots in your garage, that's a natural connection.
Step 4: Prepare to discuss with depth and enthusiasm
For the hobbies you select, prepare to discuss them with some detail and genuine passion. Be ready to share:
- What drew you to this activity
- What you enjoy about it
- What you've learned or how you've grown through it
- Any achievements or milestones related to it
How to craft your perfect response
Now, let's talk about structuring your answer for maximum impact.
Keep it authentic
Nothing undermines an interview faster than getting caught in a lie. If you claim to be an avid rock climber but can't answer basic follow-up questions about the sport (and you've really only gone for a taster session), you'll damage your credibility.
Stick to hobbies you genuinely enjoy and can speak about comfortably.
Show dimension and balance
Ideally, mention 2-3 different types of hobbies that show different sides of your personality. For example:
- A physical activity (shows you value health)
- A creative pursuit (demonstrates creativity)
- A social or community activity (highlights interpersonal skills)
This gives a well-rounded picture of who you are outside work.
Connect subtly to job-relevant skills
Without being too obvious, draw subtle connections between your hobbies and valuable professional skills.
For example, if you're applying for a project management role, you might mention how organizing hiking trips for your friend group has taught you about planning, risk management, and adapting to changing conditions.
Use the STAR method for standout stories
For hobbies that mainly showcase your strengths, consider using the STAR method to tell a brief, impactful story:
- Situation: Set the context for your hobby
- Task: Explain a particular challenge or goal
- Action: Describe what you did
- Result: Share the outcome or what you learned
For example, instead of just saying, "I enjoy running," you might say:
"I've been an avid runner for about five years. Last year, I challenged myself to complete my first marathon (Situation/Task). I created a six-month training plan and stuck to it despite a busy work schedule, gradually building my endurance (Action). I finished the marathon in just under four hours, which taught me a lot about setting ambitious goals, creating structured plans to achieve them, and pushing through moments of discomfort for long-term rewards (Result)."
Real-world examples that have impressed interviewers
Let's look at some sample answers that effectively showcase different personalities and skill sets:
Example 1: Marketing professional
"Outside of work, I'm passionate about photography. I started with landscape photography during hiking trips, but lately, I've been challenging myself with street photography. It's teaching me to observe subtle details, find beauty in everyday moments, and tell stories visually - skills that directly translate to creating compelling marketing campaigns.
I also volunteer twice a month, teaching digital skills to seniors at my local community center. There's something incredibly rewarding about helping someone send their first email to a grandchild or set up a video call with family across the country. It keeps me grounded in the human impact of technology and reminds me why clear communication is so important."
Why it works: Shows creativity, technical skills, empathy, and communication abilities - all crucial for marketing roles.
Example 2: Software developer
"I actually have a bit of an unusual hobby - I'm part of an improvisational theater group that performs monthly shows. It might seem different from coding, but I've found improv actually makes me a better developer. It teaches quick thinking, collaboration, and adapting on the fly when things don't go as planned - which happens in both comedy and code!
When I need some solo time, I enjoy hiking and have been slowly working my way through all the state parks within driving distance. There's something about disconnecting from screens and solving problems in nature that gives me a fresh perspective when I return to coding challenges."
Why it works: Demonstrates teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and a healthy work-life balance that prevents burnout.
Example 3: Financial analyst
"I'm an avid chess player and compete in local tournaments when time permits. The strategic thinking, forward planning, and risk assessment in chess mirror a lot of the analytical work I do professionally. I also find it keeps my mind sharp and hone my ability to recognize patterns.
On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, I love cooking and hosting dinner parties for friends about once a month. It's my creative outlet and a way to bring people together. There's something satisfying about taking raw ingredients and transforming them into something that makes people happy."
Why it works: Shows analytical thinking and attention to detail (chess) balanced with creativity and social skills (cooking/hosting).
Common mistakes to avoid when answering this question
When answering this question, steer clear of these potential pitfalls:
Don't overshare controversial hobbies
While authenticity is important, use good judgment about which hobbies to highlight. Activities that are highly political, potentially dangerous, or could raise eyebrows in a professional setting might be best left unmentioned.
Be selective and in control. If you wouldn't tell your grandparents, maybe don't tell your potential employer
Avoid claiming work as your only hobby
Saying "I'm so passionate about marketing that I spend all my free time reading industry blogs!" might sound dedicated, but it can raise red flags about potential burnout and lack of work-life balance.
Don't be too vague
"I like hanging out with friends" doesn't tell the interviewer much about you. Be specific about what activities you enjoy and why they matter to you.
Don't panic if you're in a hobby drought
If you're in a busy season of life and haven't had much time for hobbies lately, it's okay to mention activities you've enjoyed in the past and hope to return to or simple pleasures you incorporate into your routine. Just be honest about it.
Wrapping up
"What do you like to do for fun?" might seem like small talk, but it's actually a valuable opportunity to round out your professional image and connect with your interviewer on a more personal level.
With thoughtful preparation, you can craft a response that's both authentic to who you are and strategically aligned with the qualities the employer is seeking. This question allows you to showcase dimensions of yourself that wouldn't otherwise emerge in standard interview questions about your work experience.
Remember that the best interviews feel like conversations, not interrogations. When you share your genuine interests with enthusiasm, you create opportunities for real human connection - and that memorability might just be what sets you apart from equally qualified candidates.
Need more personalized interview coaching?
At MentorCruise, our experienced mentors can help you prepare for every aspect of the interview process, from technical questions to tricky behavioral ones. Book a session today and transform your interview performance from good to unforgettable.