Can What Do You Do For Fun Be The Secret Weapon For Acing Your Next Interview
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
The question "what do you do for fun?" might seem like an easy, informal break during a high-stakes job interview, a college admission interview, or even a professional networking event or sales call. But don't be fooled. Interviewers aren't just making small talk; they're often gathering crucial insights into your personality, soft skills, and potential fit within their culture. Understanding how to answer what do you do for fun effectively can significantly boost your candidacy or help build rapport in professional settings.
It's a subtle but powerful question that can reveal far more than your weekend activities. It shows how you spend your time outside of work or academics, offering clues about your passions, discipline, ability to relax, and even transferable skills that aren't obvious from your resume alone [^1].
Why Do Interviewers Ask What Do You Do For Fun
Interviewers ask about what do you do for fun for several strategic reasons, extending beyond simple curiosity. Their primary goal is to get a more holistic view of you as a person. Hobbies and interests can reveal aspects of your personality, such as curiosity, creativity, discipline, or social skills, that might not come up during traditional behavioral questions [^2].
Furthermore, your answer to what do you do for fun can highlight valuable soft skills essential for success in almost any role or environment. Activities like team sports can demonstrate collaboration and leadership; individual pursuits like writing or painting can show initiative and creativity; and intellectual hobbies like reading or puzzles might signal analytical thinking and a commitment to continuous learning [^3]. They are also looking for cultural fit – does your personality and energy seem compatible with the team and company environment?
How Do You Choose the Right Hobbies to Share for What Do You Do For Fun
Selecting which hobbies to share when asked what do you do for fun is crucial. Authenticity is key – talk about activities you genuinely enjoy [^4]. Fabricating interests will likely feel inauthentic and can undermine your credibility.
However, balance personal passion with professional impression. While you should be genuine, steer clear of anything controversial, illegal, or potentially inappropriate for a workplace setting [^4]. Instead, focus on hobbies that allow you to naturally showcase positive traits.
Consider the role and company culture. Are they big on teamwork? Mention group activities. Is the role highly creative? Talk about your artistic pursuits. For instance, reading might be great for a fresh graduate showing intellectual curiosity, while team sports could be perfect for a sales role emphasizing collaboration and competitiveness. The best hobbies to share are those you can easily link back to valuable skills or positive personal attributes relevant to the professional context [^3].
What's the Best Way to Structure Your Answer to What Do You Do For Fun
Having a simple, effective structure can make your answer to what do you do for fun concise, clear, and impactful. A recommended format is to break down your response into four parts:
What the hobby is: Clearly state what you do for fun (e.g., "In my free time, I really enjoy hiking.").
Why you enjoy it: Briefly explain your motivation or what you get out of it (e.g., "...because I love being outdoors and the challenge of exploring new trails.").
What it has taught you: This is where you connect it to valuable skills (e.g., "Hiking has taught me the importance of preparation, perseverance, and problem-solving when faced with unexpected obstacles.").
How it connects to the role or skills required: Explicitly link the learned skill back to the job or context (e.g., "These are skills I believe are directly applicable to navigating complex projects in the [Industry/Role] field.").
Using this structure allows you to tell a mini-story, making your response memorable and demonstrating your ability to reflect on your experiences and connect them to your professional life [^1].
What Are Common Challenges When Answering What Do You Do For Fun
Many candidates feel awkward or unsure when asked what do you do for fun. Some common challenges include:
Feeling Inauthentic: Don't feel pressured to invent impressive-sounding hobbies. Focus on genuine interests, even if they seem simple [^4].
Difficulty Linking to Skills: It requires critical thinking to identify the transferable skills developed through your hobbies. Does cooking teach you planning and execution? Does playing an instrument require discipline and practice?
Nervousness About Sharing: Maintain professionalism. Share enough to be personable but avoid overly private or controversial activities [^4].
Perceiving You Have "No Hobbies": This is rarely true. Subtle interests like reading, cooking, listening to podcasts, or casual volunteering count and can show positive traits like curiosity or a willingness to help others [^4].
Overcoming these challenges involves preparation: identify genuine interests, brainstorm the skills they require, and practice articulating the connection using the suggested structure.
Can What Do You Do For Fun Help in Sales Calls or College Interviews
Absolutely. The question what do you do for fun, or similar inquiries about personal interests, isn't limited to job interviews. In sales calls, discussing relevant hobbies can serve as an excellent icebreaker, helping to build rapport and find common ground with a potential client. Sharing a bit about what do you do for fun humanizes the interaction and can make you more relatable and trustworthy.
Similarly, in college interviews, talking about what do you do for fun allows admissions officers to see your personality, passions, and how you might contribute to campus life outside of academics. It demonstrates emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with others on a personal level, which is invaluable in building relationships in any professional or academic environment [^2].
Using personal interests strategically can ease tension, create connection points, and show a more well-rounded individual beyond the professional or academic credentials.
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With What Do You Do For Fun
Preparing for interview questions like "what do you do for fun?" can be significantly streamlined with the right tools. Verve AI Interview Copilot is designed to help you polish your responses and build confidence. By practicing your answers, including how you talk about what do you do for fun, with Verve AI Interview Copilot, you can get real-time feedback on your articulation, conciseness, and how effectively you connect your experiences to the role. Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you practice structuring your answers using the recommended format and ensure you highlight relevant skills learned through your hobbies. Leverage Verve AI Interview Copilot to turn what seems like a simple question into a compelling opportunity to showcase your potential. https://vervecopilot.com
What Are the Most Common Questions About What Do You Do For Fun
Q: What if I don't have any "interesting" hobbies?
A: Focus on genuine interests like reading or cooking; almost any activity teaches transferable skills.
Q: Should I tailor my hobbies to the company culture?
A: Be authentic first, but highlight aspects of your genuine hobbies that align with the company's values or the role's needs.
Q: How much detail should I give?
A: Be concise. Use the "what, why, what learned, connection" structure to keep it focused, typically 30-60 seconds.
Q: Can sharing hobbies hurt my chances?
A: Avoid controversial or inappropriate activities. Keep your answer professional and positive.
Q: Is it okay to say I don't have much free time?
A: While true, it misses the opportunity. Even small activities like listening to podcasts or learning a language count.
Q: How do I practice answering what do you do for fun?
A: Reflect on your hobbies, identify skills, structure your response, and practice speaking it aloud or use tools like Verve AI Copilot.
[^1]: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/interview-question-hobbies-and-interests
[^2]: https://www.themuse.com/advice/hobbies-job-interview-question-answer-examples
[^3]: https://topinterview.com/interview-advice/interview-question-what-are-your-hobbies-and-interests
[^4]: https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/what-are-your-hobbies
