How To Answer “What Do You Do For Fun?” (With Examples)

During an interview, you may encounter the question “What do you do for fun?” This is one of the most frequently asked interview questions. Knowing how to answer can help you leave a positive impression on hiring managers and distinguish yourself from other candidates.

In this article, we’ll explore why hiring managers and recruiters ask this question, provide tips for crafting effective answers, and offer several sample responses.

Key Takeaways

• Interviewers ask about your hobbies to gauge your personality, work-life balance, and overall professionalism.

• Respond by mentioning one or two hobbies and explaining your enjoyment of them.

• If relevant, share a brief anecdote that highlights how your hobbies have prepared you for the job or set you apart from others.

Why Interviewers Ask “What Do You Like To Do Outside of Work?”

Like many interview questions, hiring managers seek to understand who you are as a person and whether you’re a good fit for the position.

When they ask what you enjoy doing for fun, they’re not just curious about your personal interests. They want to see if your hobbies align with the job, if you fit within the company culture, and if you’re an engaging person to converse with.

Here are a few insights that hiring managers might be looking to uncover through this question:

1. Work-Life Balance. They want to ensure you understand how to manage work stress without allowing personal interests to detract from your productivity.

2. Common Interests. Since your coworkers will spend a significant amount of time with you, they want to know if you share any non-work-related interests. They’re also interested in your willingness to engage with others rather than isolating yourself with niche hobbies.

3. Professional Discretion. Certain hobbies may not be suitable for discussion in a professional setting, so interviewers want to assess your ability to self-censor when necessary.

Alternative phrasing of this question could include:

• What do you do in your spare time?

• What do you enjoy outside of work?

• Do you have any hobbies?

How to Answer “What Do You Do for Fun?”

Unlike other interview questions, you don’t need to overprepare for this one—doing so might even hinder your response.

Instead, aim to find common ground with your interviewer while showcasing your unique interests in a way that conveys what you value about your hobbies.

Here’s a four-step strategy to effectively answer the question “What do you do for fun?”

1. List Your Hobbies. Identify one or more hobbies you actively engage in. If one hobby highlights relevant job-related skills, focus on that. Alternatively, showcasing two or three diverse interests can also be effective.

2. Connect to the Job. Your hobbies can reveal what you value outside of work and may tie into skills or qualities relevant to the position. For instance, if you enjoy gardening, you might mention how it teaches you patience and attention to detail.

3. Share a Story. While this isn’t a behavioral interview question, a brief, engaging anecdote about one of your hobbies can enhance your answer. If you can illustrate how your hobby has equipped you with skills or aligns with the company’s values (like sustainability), your response will be more compelling.

4. Highlight Your Uniqueness. Instead of simply stating your hobbies, explain what motivates you to pursue them and what benefits you gain. Sharing your intrinsic motivations can help you stand out as a candidate.

Example Answers to “What Do You Do For Fun?”

While there are numerous hobbies people engage in for fun, here are some noteworthy examples:

• Outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, cycling, etc.

• Reading, learning, documentaries, podcasts, etc.

• Puzzle games such as crossword puzzles, chess, Sudoku, etc.

• Cooking

• Travel

• Gardening

• Creative pursuits like art, music, crafts, writing, or podcasting

• Volunteer work

• Community activities such as clubs, sports teams, or organizations

• Video games (but explain why)

While you may choose to connect your hobbies to job-related skills, avoid forcing the link. Sometimes, straightforward answers are just as effective.

Here are a few sample answers:

1. Salesperson Example Answer

   “Travel is my passion. I’ve explored 21 countries so far, and I’m eager to see more! I love learning about new cultures and discovering commonalities among people everywhere, especially through food.”

   “There’s a certain magic to communication, much of which is nonverbal, and I’ve honed my skills in picking up on body language, which helps me engage clients effectively.”

2. Marketing Manager Example Answer

   “I really enjoy cooking. Every Sunday evening, I experiment with a new recipe. While some creations are less than successful, it’s always gratifying to find a dish that works. I’m constantly tweaking my recipes to enhance them—except for my grandma’s meatballs, which are perfect as they are!”

3. Accountant Example Answer

   “I’m a huge Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast. I organize a biweekly game night with friends, and I love being the dungeon master. It’s a fantastic way to blend my love for bookkeeping with my creative storytelling.”

4. Retail Clerk Example Answer

   “I have a diverse range of hobbies. I hike with my dog and husband on weekends, enjoy boating in the summer, and go skiing in the winter. I’ve also recently taken up knitting, though I still need practice before making mittens!”

None of these responses attempt to overly insert job-specific keywords, but they each imply qualities that are valuable for their respective roles.

• A salesperson needs to be adaptable and perceptive.

• A marketing manager should be experimental and open to learning.

• An accountant benefits from being detail-oriented and creative.

• A retail clerk with varied interests can connect with different customers.

Consider how your hobbies intersect with your career, and you’ll be on your way to a strong answer.

Tips for Answering “What Do You Do For Fun?”

When discussing your interests in an interview, be genuine and express enthusiasm about what you enjoy. Ensure your answers remain professional and be mindful of your interviewer’s interest level in detail.

• Start Broad, Then Get Specific. For example, discuss your love for video games in general before diving into specific titles or strategies, gauging your interviewer’s interest.

• Show Enthusiasm. When discussing your hobbies, convey how important they are to you. Speak passionately; otherwise, the recruiter might question your genuine interest.

• Mention Constructive Hobbies. While it’s fine to mention simpler hobbies like binge-watching shows or taking long walks, balance these with more productive pursuits.

• As a Last Resort, Discuss Interests. If you struggle to identify constructive hobbies, consider discussing interests or activities you’d like to pursue in the future.

• Answer Directly. Avoid dodging the question or discussing things you dislike. This may raise concerns about your honesty or willingness to engage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering “What Do You Do for Fun?”

While it might seem easy to navigate this question, a poor response can leave a lasting negative impression. If you and another candidate share similar qualifications, an engaging personality could sway the hiring manager’s decision in their favor.

Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Don’t Claim You Have No Hobbies. Even if true, this reflects poorly on you. Frame your interests in a way that is relatable to others.

• Avoid Lying. The best-case scenario is being hired only to reveal that you exaggerated your interests. The worst-case scenario is being caught in a lie by someone knowledgeable about the subject.

• Steer Clear of Illegal Activities. This should go without saying. Additionally, mentioning excessive drinking or smoking as hobbies is unprofessional.

• Avoid Generic Answers About Friends. While it’s common to mention spending time with friends, make sure to elaborate on specific activities you enjoy together.

• Don’t Discuss Religious or Political Hobbies. These topics can be polarizing, and it’s wise to avoid them unless you are certain of your audience’s views.

What Do You Like To Do In Your Free Time FAQ

1. What does “What do you do for fun?” mean?

   Interviewers ask this question to understand more about your personality, work-life balance, and communication skills. Your response offers insights into how easily you might connect with team members and how well you manage work-life balance.

   It also reveals your ability to discern which activities are appropriate to discuss in an interview and how to communicate them effectively.

2. How do you answer, “What do you enjoy most in your work?”

   Answer by stating what you enjoy and why. This could pertain to specific tasks or more abstract concepts like “collaboration,” “variety,” or “problem-solving.”

3. How can I identify what I enjoy doing?

   You can identify what you enjoy by considering what you choose to do in your free time. This is a key indicator of your interests.

4. What are some example answers to “What do you enjoy doing?”

   Example answers to “What do you enjoy doing?” include:

   • Outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, cycling, etc.

   • Reading, learning, documentaries, podcasts, etc.

   • Puzzle games such as crossword puzzles, chess, Sudoku, etc.

   • Cooking

   • Travel

   • Gardening

   • Creative pursuits like art, music, crafts, writing, or podcasting

   • Volunteer work

   • Community activities such as clubs, sports teams, or organizations

   • Video games (but explain why)

Ask the Experts

How To Answer “What Do You Do For Fun?”

Ed Samuel
Executive Career Coach

If you’re not asked, “What do you do for fun?” during an interview, don’t miss the chance to share something personal that reveals who you are beyond work. A great opportunity to do so is early on when asked, “So, tell me about yourself.” Weave in one or two hobbies, volunteer activities, or shared experiences with loved ones.

Tips For Answering “What Do You Do For Fun?”

Marty Nemko
Career Advisor, Blogger Psychology Today

For roles in companies that emphasize productivity over work-life balance, you might mention that you find certain work aspects enjoyable. For instance, “I genuinely find work fun. Crafting concise articles from research or delivering presentations is often more enjoyable than my hobbies, like playing basketball or the video game Stardew Valley.”

Tips for Answering “What Do You Do for Fun?”

Stacie Garlieb
President, Successful Impressions LLC

To prepare for this question, research the company. Understand its community involvement and see if it aligns with your interests. For example, if the organization supports volunteering, you might say, “I do several things for fun, including volunteering for X organization. This experience has allowed me to meet new people, apply my skills to help others, and give back to the community.” If the company promotes wellness or work-life balance, mention how you engage in those activities as well.

Final Thoughts

When discussing what you do for fun, remember that enjoyment—similar to beauty—is subjective.

Your definition of fun may differ from someone else’s, but that’s not the main goal. What matters is that you engage in enjoyable activities outside of work and can communicate your passions effectively, even if they don’t resonate with others.

While this question may seem straightforward, you can make a significant impact by linking your hobby to a job-related skill or quality. However, don’t feel compelled to force a connection if it feels unnatural.

In the end, just express what you love and why, and you’ll do just fine.

References

1. InterviewPenguin – Interview Questions Answered: What Do You Like to Do For Fun?

2. Career Sherpa – Answering “What Do You Like to Do For Fun?” The Right Way

Author

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.