How to Answer 'Tell Me About Yourself: What Are Your Hobbies'
Short answer
When asked “Tell me about yourself: what are your hobbies?” in an interview, share hobbies that reveal positive traits or skills relevant to the job, such as teamwork, creativity, or discipline. Briefly explain what you enjoy and how it connects to your personal or professional growth, making your answer authentic and memorable.
What does the question “Tell me about yourself: what are your hobbies?” mean?
This question invites you to describe your personal interests outside of work or school. Employers ask it to get a sense of your personality, how you spend your free time, and whether you might fit well with the company culture. It is less about listing activities and more about showing the qualities your hobbies reveal. For example, if you enjoy hiking, you might show you have a love for nature and perseverance. If you like volunteering, it can highlight your community spirit and teamwork.
Hobbies are a natural way to give interviewers a glimpse beyond your resume. They can demonstrate soft skills like patience, creativity, or leadership. Answering this question well means choosing hobbies that are genuine and relevant without oversharing or mentioning anything controversial.
How should you answer the hobbies question in a job interview?
Start by selecting two or three hobbies that you genuinely enjoy and that can relate positively to the job or workplace environment. Then briefly describe what you do and what you gain from it. Keep your answer concise—about 30 to 60 seconds—and avoid overly personal or sensitive hobbies.
For example, if you are applying for a customer service job, you might say: “I enjoy playing team sports like soccer because it teaches me communication and collaboration. I also like reading mystery novels, which helps me develop attention to detail and problem-solving skills.” This answer connects hobbies to skills useful in the role.
Here’s a simple step-by-step approach:
- Choose hobbies you are passionate about.
- Explain why you enjoy them.
- Link them to characteristics or skills beneficial to the job.
- Keep it brief and positive.
This approach helps interviewers see your personality and potential contributions beyond your qualifications.
Why do employers ask about your hobbies?
Employers want to understand more about you as a person, not just a worker. Hobbies can reveal traits like reliability, creativity, or resilience—qualities that affect how you fit into a team. They also give interviewers a chance to build rapport, making the interview feel more conversational.
Additionally, sharing hobbies can demonstrate work-life balance, showing you have interests outside of work that help you recharge. This can suggest you’ll be a more productive and engaged employee.
Knowing your hobbies can also help interviewers remember you better. If your hobbies are unique or interesting, they can create a positive impression and maybe even a personal connection.
What kind of hobbies should you avoid mentioning?
Avoid hobbies that might raise red flags or seem unprofessional. For example, hobbies that involve risky behavior, excessive gaming, or controversial subjects might give a wrong impression. Also, avoid hobbies that suggest poor time management or commitment, like “watching TV all day.”
Steer clear of overly personal or sensitive hobbies that could lead to uncomfortable questions or bias. Keep your answer focused on activities that show positive qualities and are easy to discuss openly.
If you have hobbies that don’t seem relevant, try to frame them in a way that highlights a skill or trait. For instance, if you like knitting, you could say it helps you develop patience and attention to detail.
How can you relate your hobbies to the job you want?
To connect hobbies to the job, consider the skills or attitudes the role requires. For example, if the job involves creativity, mention hobbies like painting, writing, or cooking. If it requires teamwork, talk about sports or group activities. For roles needing focus and discipline, hobbies like yoga or playing musical instruments work well.
Here’s a table with examples of hobbies and the qualities they can reflect:
| Hobby | Qualities Demonstrated | Job Relevance Example |
|---|---|---|
| Team sports | Teamwork, communication | Customer service, sales |
| Reading | Focus, learning, critical thinking | Research, writing, analysis |
| Volunteering | Empathy, leadership | Social work, nonprofit, management |
| Playing an instrument | Discipline, creativity | Marketing, education, project management |
| Cooking | Creativity, planning | Hospitality, event planning |
By matching your hobbies to job qualities, you show you understand the role and bring valuable personal strengths.
What if you don’t have obvious hobbies or interests?
If you feel you don’t have hobbies, think about activities you do regularly or things you enjoy doing in your free time, even simple ones like walking, journaling, or watching documentaries. These can still show positive qualities like curiosity, reflection, or physical activity.
You can also frame daily habits positively. For example, “I enjoy going on walks because it helps me clear my mind and stay healthy.” Or “I like learning new things online, which keeps me curious and adaptable.”
If you want, you can also mention goals or skills you’re developing as hobbies, like learning a new language or practicing meditation. This shows motivation and growth mindset.
What should you do after sharing your hobbies in an interview?
Once you share your hobbies, be prepared to answer follow-up questions. Sometimes interviewers ask for details or examples. Be honest and enthusiastic but keep answers professional and relevant.
You can also steer the conversation toward your skills or experiences by linking back to your hobbies. For example, “Playing chess has improved my strategic thinking, which I use in managing projects.”
After the interview, reflect on how your hobbies helped shape your professional skills. Consider adding relevant interests to your resume or job applications, especially if they support your qualifications. See examples of what activities and interests to include on a resume for ideas.
If you want to improve your overall answer to “Tell me about yourself,” exploring other parts of the question like your background or strengths can be helpful.
Frequently asked questions
How detailed should I be when describing my hobbies in an interview?
Keep your description brief and focused on what you enjoy and the positive qualities your hobbies reflect. About 30-60 seconds is enough, emphasizing relevance to the job or skills you’ve gained.
Can I mention hobbies unrelated to the job?
Yes, as long as they show positive traits like discipline or creativity. Avoid hobbies that might raise concerns or seem unprofessional.
What if I don’t have time for hobbies?
Share habits or small interests like walking, reading, or learning online. These can still show qualities like curiosity and self-care.
Should I include hobbies on my resume?
Only include hobbies if they relate to the job or show useful skills. This can make your resume more memorable and show personality.
How to handle follow-up questions about hobbies?
Answer honestly but keep it professional. Use examples to show how your hobbies connect to your work skills or personal growth.