Can What Do You Like To Do Be The Secret Weapon For Acing Your Next Interview
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
The question "what do you like to do" might seem like a casual icebreaker, a polite inquiry into your personal life. However, in the context of a job interview, college admission, or even a crucial sales call, it's a strategic probe. Interviewers aren't just looking for your hobbies; they're assessing deeper qualities like cultural fit, interpersonal skills, underlying motivations, and your ability to communicate effectively. Mastering your answer to "what do you like to do" can transform a seemingly simple question into a powerful opportunity to showcase your strengths and personality.
Why Do Interviewers Ask What Do You Like to Do
Interviewers ask "what do you like to do" for several key reasons, extending far beyond simple curiosity. Their primary goal is to gain insight into your personality, work ethic, and potential fit within their organization or program. This question helps them assess cultural alignment, understand your interpersonal skills, gauge your motivation, and evaluate your communication ability. It's a chance for them to see the real you—your passions, how you spend your time, and what drives you outside of professional obligations. A well-articulated answer to "what do you like to do" can reveal if your values resonate with the company's ethos, how you handle challenges, or if you possess qualities like teamwork or leadership that might not be evident from your resume alone [^4].
How Can You Connect Personal Interests to Professional Skills When Answering What Do You Like to Do
The art of answering "what do you like to do" lies in skillfully aligning your personal interests with the skills or qualities relevant to the role. Think about your hobbies and activities not just as leisure pursuits, but as opportunities to develop transferable skills. For example, if you enjoy team sports, you can discuss how it hones your collaboration, leadership, and strategic thinking. If you like playing a musical instrument, you might highlight discipline, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving. Answering "what do you like to do" effectively means translating your passion into a narrative that demonstrates your suitability for the position. This approach makes your answer to "what do you like to do" not just memorable, but also highly relevant.
What Effective Communication Strategies Help You Answer What Do You Like to Do
Effective communication is paramount when addressing "what do you like to do." Your response should be clear, concise, and structured, ideally using a storytelling framework like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) [^1]. Instead of just stating a hobby, tell a brief anecdote that illustrates how that interest has contributed to a valuable skill. For instance, if you enjoy organizing community events, use STAR to describe a specific event you managed, the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the positive outcome, linking it back to organizational or leadership skills.
Be concise and engaging: Avoid rambling or going off-topic [^1].
Show enthusiasm: Let your passion for "what do you like to do" shine through your tone and body language.
Maintain eye contact: This shows engagement and confidence.
Practice active listening: Even for a personal question, pay attention to the interviewer's cues and adapt your response.
Key Communication Tips:
How Can You Tailor Your Answer to What Do You Like to Do for Different Interview Contexts
Customization is crucial when discussing "what do you like to do" across various professional communication scenarios. The core message should always align with your strengths, but the emphasis will shift depending on the context:
Job Interviews: Focus on aligning your interests with job skills and cultural fit. If you enjoy solving puzzles, you might connect that to your analytical abilities crucial for the role. Frame "what do you like to do" in a way that highlights qualities the employer values.
Sales Calls: Here, discussing "what do you like to do" might be a rapport-building exercise. Share an interest that makes you relatable and demonstrates enthusiasm and relationship-building skills. The goal is to find common ground and establish trust before delving into the sale.
College Interviews: Emphasize how your passions outside academics contribute to your growth, demonstrate initiative, or show your potential for engagement within the university community. Your answer to "what do you like to do" should reveal your curiosity, passion for learning, and fit for the program's values.
Adapting your response to "what do you like to do" for diverse audiences and cultural backgrounds is also vital [^2]. Be empathetic and adjust your language and tone.
What Are the Common Challenges When Answering What Do You Like to Do and How Can You Overcome Them
Navigating the "what do you like to do" question can present several pitfalls. Being aware of these common challenges and preparing strategies to overcome them is key to delivering a strong answer.
Rambling or Overexplaining: A common issue is providing long, unfocused answers that dilute your main points. To overcome this, practice concise, relevant responses [^1]. Stick to 60-90 seconds.
Offering Generic or Unrelated Answers: Answers that fail to connect your personal interests to the job skills or context can seem insincere or irrelevant [^1] [^2]. Always bridge the gap between your hobby and a transferable skill or character trait.
Failing to Adapt Communication Style: Not adjusting your tone or language for different interviewers or cultural backgrounds can hinder connection [^2] [^3]. Observe the interviewer's demeanor and mirror their professionalism while maintaining authenticity.
Lack of Confidence and Preparation: Nervousness can lead to unclear articulation or missed opportunities to showcase your skills [^4]. Thorough preparation, including rehearsing your answers, builds confidence and ensures you convey your message effectively.
Using Jargon or Complex Explanations: While passion is good, avoid overly technical terms for your hobbies unless they directly relate to the job and are universally understood [^1]. Keep your explanation clear and straightforward.
By anticipating these challenges, you can craft a polished and impactful response to "what do you like to do."
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With What Do You Like to Do
Preparing for interview questions like "what do you like to do" requires practice and tailored feedback. This is where the Verve AI Interview Copilot becomes an invaluable tool. Verve AI Interview Copilot provides real-time, personalized coaching, helping you refine your responses to behavioral questions and perfect your delivery. You can practice answering "what do you like to do" as many times as needed, receiving instant feedback on your conciseness, relevance, and overall communication style. The Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you articulate how your personal interests align with professional skills, ensuring your answer to "what do you like to do" is compelling and effective. Learn more about how Verve AI Interview Copilot can elevate your interview performance at https://vervecopilot.com.
What Are the Most Common Questions About What Do You Like to Do
Q: Is it okay to mention a very casual hobby like watching TV?
A: It's generally best to choose hobbies that show initiative, learning, or social engagement, even if lighthearted.
Q: Should I lie or exaggerate my interests to impress the interviewer?
A: Never lie. Authenticity is key. Focus on highlighting transferable skills from genuine interests, however niche they are.
Q: What if my interests are completely unrelated to the job?
A: Even then, consider what soft skills (e.g., discipline, creativity, problem-solving) you gain from them and briefly link them.
Q: How long should my answer be?
A: Keep it concise, ideally 60-90 seconds. Enough to be insightful, not so long it becomes a monologue.
Q: Can I ask the interviewer what they like to do in return?
A: It can be a good rapport-builder, but gauge the flow of the conversation and the interviewer's demeanor first.
