How To Answer “What Are You Passionate About?” (With Examples)

Hearing “What are you passionate about?” while in an interview may give you some anxiety if you’re unsure how to answer it. Interviewers ask this question to get an understanding of what your values are and what you are motivated by. What passions you discuss will show the interviewer who you are as a person.

To help ease any anxiety about this answer and give an answer the interviewer is looking for, we’ll go over how to answer “What are you passionate about?”, and provide some example answers. We’ll also go over some common mistakes to avoid when answering.

Key Takeaways:

• A hiring manager will ask “What are you most passionate about?” because they want to know what you value, what motivates you, and to find out more about your personality.

• When answering this question it should be a passion that’s work-adjacent, a passion that shows soft skills, or a personal passion.

• You should avoid making up a lie about your passion just because you think that’s what the hiring manager wants to hear.

How to answer “What are you passionate about?”

When answering “What are you passionate about?” it’s more than listing off the things you enjoy or restating the field your job title is in. The hiring manager is looking for specificity and reasons as to why you’re interested in the hobby or subject. Here is a more detailed list of how to answer this interview question:

1. A passion that’s work-adjacent. The first option for communicating your passions during a job interview is by focusing on a hobby or skill that demonstrates abilities that are semi-related to the position you’re going for.

   • It can be something that’s not directly required for the job you’re seeking, but it’ll be helpful for the role.

   • For example, a candidate hoping to get a job as a junior marketer who enjoys web development could focus on this passion because it might one day be an asset to the employer.

   • It’s not required to respond to “What are you passionate about?” with a job-related topic.

   • If you choose to take this answering avenue, focus on a passion that’s more narrow than just stating you’re passionate about your work. Choose an activity that’s relevant to your professional life, but that you also appreciate in your personal world too.

2. A passion that shows soft skills. A hiring manager is always looking for that magic combination of technical abilities required to do daily tasks of a job, and soft skills to get along well in a professional atmosphere.

   • Soft skills are characteristics that make an employee more efficient, cooperative, and pleasant to work with. When an interviewer asks about your passions, it’s an excellent opportunity to bring your soft skills to light.

   • Many of the innocuous personal passions that job applicants deem as completely unrelated to their career could actually display plenty of transferable skills.

   • For example, participating in an adult softball league during the weekends demonstrates teamwork and collaboration with others to meet a goal. An interviewee who’s passionate about painting in their spare time shows someone creative and innovative.

   • Take stock of the hobbies and passions that enhance your life, and consider how they might speak to your professional soft skills as well.

3. A personal passion. Bringing up a passion that is seemingly unrelated to the position you’re interviewing for is fair game too. As long as it’s an activity that is not only work-appropriate but also makes you appear as a competitive and competent applicant.

   When you choose to respond to the question “What are you passionate about?” with an activity that’s a little out of the left field, make sure that you’re super involved in the activity.

   You should have clear reasoning for why you consider it a passion and explain the measures you go through to make it a part of your life.

Example answers to “What are you passionate about?”

Here are some what are you passionate about sample answers for the different ways you can answer this question.

1. A passion that’s work-adjacent example answer

   “I’m passionate about data analysis. It may sound ridiculous for a receptionist who deals with computer software all day to find business and data analysis fascinating in their free time, but it’s something I really enjoy and I’m good at. I started learning more about data analytics when I was in college, so I have about ten years of experience with the hobby.

   “I find data analysis interesting because it tells a story of a business’s past and gives a trajectory for the future. It’s almost like being able to see into the future. I think that studying data analysis has also made me a better receptionist because it keeps me in tune with patterns that might be occurring administratively.”

   Why it works: This individual gives an answer that’s fleshed out well. They state their work-related passion plainly and then go on to explain their history and reasoning for loving the activity. The candidate even directly states how it could be helpful in the role they’re interviewing for.

2. A passion that shows soft skills example answer

   “One of my favorite activities to do in my spare time is play chess. I’ve been playing the game since I was 12 years old, so, I’d consider myself fairly passionate about it. I played in a lot of tournaments as a teenager, and even today, I go to play every Saturday with a few friends I’ve made in the chess community.

   “What I love about playing chess is that it keeps my mind sharp. It requires me to think several steps ahead and read other people. I think playing the game improves my critical and creative thinking, and all-around keeps me happy.”

   Why it works: This candidate manages to wrap their hobby into a demonstration of their soft skills all in a few sentences. They explain their background in the game of chess extensively and point out the soft skills that they use while playing. It’s an informative and impressive response to an interview question about passions.

3. A personal passion example answer

   “One of the things I’m most passionate about in my time outside of work is animal advocacy. While it’s not something that I do much during my time as an elementary school teacher, I love participating at the ASPCA during my personal hours.

   “I’ve loved animals since I was a child, but it wasn’t until I adopted my first dog from the shelter that I knew that I wanted to work with animals in whatever capacity I could. I spend most weekends at the animal shelter helping out in any way that I can. I’ve been doing it for more than five years now.”

   Why it works: While the candidate admits that the passion they talk about isn’t directly related to the job they’re interviewing for, it still demonstrates beneficial characteristics to the hiring manager. Their dedication and genuine care for animals depict a person who would bring positive qualities to their post if hired.

4. A passion that helps others example answer

   “I am genuinely passionate about community service and helping others. I find fulfillment in giving back to the community and making a positive impact on others’ lives. I often volunteer at local shelters or participate in environmental clean-up initiatives.

   “Community service allows me to connect with diverse individuals, hear their stories, and understand their unique challenges. This firsthand experience helps foster empathy and find a broader perspective.”

   Why it works: This answer shows the candidate’s personal interest in the well-being of others and the community as a whole. When someone has a passion for community service, it shows a high level of empathy and the ability to understand and connect with people from various backgrounds.

Why interviewers ask this question

Hiring managers ask “What are you passionate about?” to get an understanding of what you value and what you are motivated by. The passions that you choose to discuss will speak volumes about who you are and what drives you.

While most answers in an interview should focus on professional qualities and experience, this question opens the door to understanding more about your hobbies outside of the office. It allows an employer to further gauge your personality.

Areas of passion are also of special interest to a hiring manager because these are usually specialties that a person focuses a lot of their time on. This can uncover some talents or usefulness that could be helpful in the role they’re interviewing for.

Tips for answering “What are you passionate about?”

When answering questions about your passion, you should choose your answer strategically and discuss things that make you a stronger candidate. You should also share a story about your passion. Here are some more tips for answering “What are you passionate about?”

• Choose your answer strategically. When an interviewer is asking about your passions or anything, choose your response strategically.

  Never lose sight of the fact that everything you say and do throughout an interview is being evaluated, and can either help or hinder your performance. Only bring up things that make you a stronger candidate to the interviewer.

• Dress the part. Succeeding in an interview begins the moment you walk through the door, with your outfit of choice. The clothing and accessories you wear to an interview form the earliest impressions on the hiring manager. Make sure your attire reflects well on your professionalism.

• Research the company beforehand. Heading into an interview having done research on the role, company, and field makes you more prepared to answer any questions that a hiring manager might throw at you.

  In addition to preparing you for questions about the company and role in an interview, it also provides information that can help make a decision on a job offer when the time comes.

• Bring copies of your resume or portfolio. While most interviewers come to an interview equipped with all the information they need to know about an applicant, mistakes happen

  A hiring manager can interview upwards of 50 candidates in a short span of time. To avoid any confusion or issues, bring extra copies of your resume and portfolio to an interview.

• Share a story. This is the time to go into detail and share a story about your passion. You don’t want to answer this question with one word or a sentence. When sharing your story, this is the time to share your goals and how you worked to achieve your passion. This is also the time to explain why you love your passion.

• Be honest. You should never lie about having a passion. This isn’t the time to give an answer that you think the employer will want to hear. When talking about something that brings you joy, your excitement will resonate with the hiring manager and show what type of person you are.

• Think about what they’ll ask next. An interview is never composed of only a single question. After an interviewer asks you about your passions, there will be more inquiries that they throw your way. Take some time to think about what questions they’ll ask next.

  Some common interview questions that could follow “What are you passionate about?” include:

  • What makes you unique?

  • What sets you apart from other candidates?

  • What gets you up in the morning?

  • What is your greatest accomplishment?

  • How do you define success?

Common mistakes to avoid when answering

When answering “What are you passionate about?” you should avoid mentioning any unprofessional activities or lying to the hiring manager. Here are some more mistakes to avoid when answering:

• Unprofessional activities. Everyone has at least one or two personal hobbies that aren’t necessarily appropriate for the workplace.

  Whether it’s drinking at the bar with your friends from college on the weekends or gambling online, these are not hobbies that should be shared with a potential employer.

  Asking about your passions doesn’t require information about your guilty pleasures. Be strategic in your response.

• Lies. Many candidates feel pressured to have some extraordinary hobby to present during an interview, which can lead them to lie in an attempt to fit the mold.

  Unfortunately, lying is rarely beneficial to any interview situation, and even if it does manage to get you a job offer, it hurts you in the long run. Choose an activity that you’re truly passionate about, not one that you think will sound impressive.

• Pretend enthusiasm. Try not to get over-influenced by the word “passionate” when answering this question. A lot of candidates try to inject their response with overwhelming enthusiasm for their passion, only to come off sounding fake.

“What are you passionate about?” FAQ

1. What are some examples of professional passions?

   Some examples of passions at work include:

   • Community service such as participating in charity runs or organizing fundraisers

   • Personal growth such as learning a new skill or reading a self-help book

   • Perusing education such as attending a seminar or listening to educational podcasts

   • Physical fitness such as golfing or tennis

2. What does it mean to be passionate about something?

   When you are passionate about something, you often have strong feelings that are difficult to control. Passion can be love, hate, or lust. Many people will fall into the trap of chasing happiness instead of finding what they are passionate about. You can chase desires and fulfill them for a short time but finding something you’re passionate about will keep you happy for a long time.

3. How do you find your passion?

   To find your passion you can create a personal vision statement and determine your values. Another way to do this is to make a list of things you love to do and assess the things you don’t love. You should also acknowledge your strengths and achievements. Some questions you can ask yourself to help determine what you’re passionate about include:

   • What is your heart set on doing?

   • If you could live forever, what would you do?

   • What interests and thrills you?

   • What makes you tick?

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment Interviewing: Seizing the Opportunity and the Job

Author

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.