How to Answer “Tell Me About Your Interests”

The interview question “Tell me about your interests” is a common one that can catch you off guard if you’re not prepared. But it’s also a great opportunity to show the interviewer who you are beyond your resume and to highlight your skills and personality.

Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?

Interviewers ask this question for a number of reasons. They want to:

Get to know you as a person.
Learn about your passions and interests.
See if your interests align with the company’s culture.
Identify potential areas for collaboration.

How to Respond

When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and authentic. Don’t try to give the interviewer what you think they want to hear. Instead, focus on sharing your genuine interests and what drives you.

1. Identify Your Interests

Before you can answer this question, you need to know what your interests are. What do you like to do in your free time? What are you passionate about? What do you find yourself talking about most often?

2. Choose Your Interests Carefully

Not all of your interests are going to be relevant to the job you’re interviewing for. So, when choosing which interests to share, keep the following in mind:

Relevance: Choose interests that are relevant to the job or company. For example, if you’re interviewing for a job in marketing, you might want to mention your interest in social media or digital advertising.
Variety: Don’t just list off a bunch of hobbies. Instead, try to choose a mix of interests that show your range and depth.
Personality: Your interests should give the interviewer a sense of who you are as a person. So, choose interests that you’re genuinely passionate about and that reflect your personality.

3. Prepare Your Answer

Once you’ve chosen your interests, take some time to prepare your answer. You want to be able to speak about your interests in a clear, concise, and engaging way.

Here are a few tips for preparing your answer:

Use specific examples: When describing your interests, use specific examples to illustrate what you’re talking about. For example, instead of saying “I’m interested in photography,” you could say “I love taking photos of nature and wildlife.”
Quantify your interests: If possible, quantify your interests to show the interviewer how passionate you are about them. For example, you could say “I’ve been playing guitar for over 10 years” or “I’ve volunteered over 100 hours at my local animal shelter.”
Connect your interests to the job: Finally, try to connect your interests to the job you’re interviewing for. For example, you could say “My interest in photography has helped me develop a strong eye for detail, which is essential for this job.”

4. Practice Your Answer

Once you’ve prepared your answer, practice it out loud a few times. This will help you feel more confident and comfortable when you’re actually in the interview.

Examples of Good Answers

Here are a few examples of good answers to the question “Tell me about your interests”:

“I’m passionate about music. I’ve been playing guitar for over 10 years and I love writing and recording my own songs. I also enjoy going to concerts and discovering new artists.”
“I’m fascinated by technology. I’m always reading about the latest gadgets and trends. I also love building and fixing computers and other electronics.”
“I’m an avid reader. I love getting lost in a good book. I’m also interested in writing. I’ve written a few short stories and I’m working on a novel.”
“I’m passionate about helping others. I volunteer my time at a local soup kitchen and I’m also involved in a number of community outreach programs.”
“I’m interested in learning new things. I’m always taking classes and workshops. I’m also a voracious reader and I love to travel.”

Conclusion

The question “Tell me about your interests” is a great opportunity to show the interviewer who you are beyond your resume. By preparing your answer in advance and choosing your interests carefully, you can make a lasting impression and increase your chances of getting the job.

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How Do You Respond To Tell Me About Your Interest