How To Answer “What Are Your Outside Interests” In An Interview

Why Does Interviewer Ask This Question?

Interviewers may ask about an applicant’s outside interests for several reasons. One of the main reasons is to gain insight into the applicant’s personality and character. An applicant’s outside interests can reveal a lot about their personality, such as if they are a team player, if they are creative, if they are adventurous, etc. This information can help the interviewer determine if the applicant would be a good fit for the company’s culture and values.

Another reason for asking about outside interests is to see how well-rounded the applicant is. Having a variety of interests and hobbies can indicate that the applicant is curious and open to new experiences, which can be valuable traits in an employee. Additionally, an applicant’s outside interests can provide insight into their work-life balance and how they handle stress.

Furthermore, an interviewer may also ask about an applicant’s outside interests as a way to break the ice and make the interview more relaxed and conversational. This can help the interviewer build a rapport with the applicant, which can make the interview more productive.

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5 Tips To Answer This Question

Be Honest And Authentic: When answering the question about your outside interests, it’s important, to be honest, and authentic. Don’t try to come up with interests that you think the interviewer wants to hear. Instead, share your genuine interests and hobbies.
Highlight How Your Interests Align With The Company Culture: If possible, try to highlight how your outside interests align with the company culture and values. For example, if the company values teamwork and collaboration, you can mention that you enjoy playing team sports or volunteer work.
Show How Your Interests Have Helped You Develop Valuable Skills: Explain how your outside interests have helped you develop skills that would be valuable to the company. For example, if you enjoy photography, you can mention that it has helped you develop attention to detail and creativity.
Be Prepared With Specific Examples: When discussing your outside interests, be prepared to provide specific examples of how you engage with them. For example, instead of simply saying you like to read, mention what types of books you enjoy and how often you read.
Express Your Passion And Enthusiasm: Make sure to convey your passion and enthusiasm for your outside interests. This will demonstrate to the interviewer that you are truly passionate about what you do and that you have a positive attitude.

Things To Avoid While Answering This Question

Lying Or Exaggerating About Your Interests: It is important, to be honest about your interests during a job interview or other professional setting. Exaggerating or lying about your interests can lead to mistrust and damage your credibility.
Being Too Vague: Saying “I like to read” or “I like to watch movies” is too vague and doesn’t give the interviewer any insight into your interests. Be specific about what you enjoy reading or watching.
Being Overly Negative: Avoid discussing interests that are negative or controversial, such as complaining about a hobby or discussing an interest that may be considered offensive.
Focusing On Irrelevant Interests: Even if you have a unique hobby, it may not be relevant to the job or company you’re interviewing with. Be mindful of what you share and how it relates to the position or company.
Not Having Any Interests: It is important to have interests outside of work, as they can demonstrate that you are well-rounded and have a life outside of your job. If you don’t have any interests, it may make you seem one-dimensional or uninteresting.

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How To Answer “What Are Your Outside Interests” In An Interview?

In an interview, it is important to present yourself as a well-rounded individual with interests outside of your professional field. When asked about your outside interests, it is best to mention a few specific hobbies or activities that you are passionate about and can speak about in detail.

First, think about what hobbies or activities you enjoy that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, you could mention that you enjoy writing and have experience creating content for a blog or social media. If you are applying for a job in technology, you could mention that you enjoy programming or building websites in your free time.

Next, think about any volunteer or community service work that you have done. This shows that you are a responsible and engaged member of your community and that you have the desire to make a positive impact on the world.

You can also mention any leadership roles you have held in extracurricular activities or clubs. This demonstrates that you have experience working with others and that you are comfortable taking on responsibilities.

It’s also important to mention any personal or professional development activities you’ve undertaken, such as learning new languages, attending workshops or conferences, or pursuing other forms of self-education. This shows that you are dedicated to continuous learning and self-improvement.

You can also mention any travel or cultural experiences you’ve had, as they can demonstrate your adaptability, flexibility, and open-mindedness.

Finally, when discussing your outside interests, it is important, to be honest, and authentic. Don’t try to invent hobbies or interests that you don’t really have, as it will be obvious during the interview.

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Example

Answer: “One of my main outside interests is fitness and staying active. I enjoy going to the gym, running, and playing sports like soccer and basketball. I find that regular exercise not only helps me stay in shape but also improves my overall well-being and mental health.”
Answer: “I am a passionate traveler and love to explore new places and cultures. I believe that traveling is one of the best ways to learn and grow as a person, and I try to take at least one international trip per year. I also enjoy reading about different cultures and customs to get the most out of my travels.”
Answer: “I am an avid reader and have a wide range of interests when it comes to literature. I love to read both fiction and non-fiction, and I especially enjoy books on history, science, and psychology. Reading not only provides me with knowledge but also gives me a sense of escapism and relaxation.”
Answer: “I am a nature lover and enjoy spending time outdoors. I enjoy hiking, camping, and backpacking, and I try to get out into nature as much as possible. I also enjoy bird-watching and gardening. Being in nature helps me clear my head, rejuvenate, and feel more connected to the world around me.”
Answer: “I am a sports fan and enjoy watching and following my favorite teams and players. I especially enjoy football, basketball, and baseball. I also like to play fantasy sports and enjoy the strategy and competition involved.”