Answering “What Are You Passionate About”

Updated June 17, 20222.8k

Most job seekers get asked, “what are you passionate about?” during an interview. Here’s how you can answer this question effectively and efficiently.

What Are You Passionate About

In a job interview, you’ll be asked several questions, and one popular question you might get is “what are you passionate about?” Like most interview questions, there’s an underlying meaning to this question. Here’s how you can create a good answer.

Why Do Recruiters Ask “What Are You Passionate About?”

First, it’s important to learn why recruiters ask “what are you passionate about?” in the first place. Learning why can help you come up with an effective answer.

Part of the reason hiring managers ask this question is to better understand your personal interests. Although it’s not the only reason, they want to know more about who you are on a personal level and what you like to do. After all, your personal life could affect (or even enhance) your job performance.

The main reason recruiters ask, “what are you passionate about” is because they want to see what you’re like when you’re comfortable. If you’re talking about a true passion, you’re probably going to be a bit more relaxed. As a result, this gives the interviewer some knowledge of your behavior in more informal situations, which is how you’ll likely behave on the job.

Additionally, recruiters may ask this to see if you’d be a good culture fit. The culture at each company is different, and if you don’t align with the company culture, it could impact your ability to work as a team. After all, your employer wants to see that your biggest passions align with those of the company and its employees.

Example Answers to This Question

Your answer to this question should highlight your personal passions in a way that is relevant to the job at hand. For example, you want to talk about a passion that you can connect to your soft skills, career achievements, and the type of new job you’re looking for.

Here are a few sample answers you might use during a job interview.

Customer Service Representative: “I’m passionate about health and fitness. Everyone knows how stressful customer service can be, and there’s nothing better than releasing stress with a workout.”
Software Developer: “I love writing poetry in my free time. It’s one of my biggest passions since it allows me to think creatively. Writing a bit each day helps me when I need a break from coding.”
Career Coach: “I’m passionate about reading and learning new information. Since I provide career advice to people for a living, I love learning new ways I can benefit my clients.”

In each of these examples, the answer relates the passion to the job while remaining truthful.

More Ways a Recruiter May Ask “What Are You Passionate About?”

Not all job interview questions will be structured the same way. For instance, a recruiter or hiring manager could ask essentially the same questions using different wording:

What makes you unique?
What are you most passionate about?
What do you love to do in your free time?
Do you have any driving passions?
What is your desired career path?
What are your personal interests?
Tell me about yourself.

You can answer any of these questions using the same approach discussed above. Talk about your passions and what’s important to you while connecting it with the job at hand.

FAQ: “What Are You Passionate About?”

Should I avoid talking about any passions?

If your passion seems obviously irrelevant or inappropriate to discuss with the company, you might want to find something else to talk about. Certainly, you can have more than one passion that you can connect to a new job. After all, this is one of the most common interview questions, so it’s a good idea to have a few topics to discuss with a potential employer.

Will my passion help me fit in with the company culture?

You can learn more about the company culture by researching the company before the interview and seeing what kinds of things they value. Are they a more formal company? Or do they address things more informally? Do they strive for employee growth within the company? Learn more about their goals and connect your interview answers accordingly.

Should I pretend to have different passions so I can get the job?

Pretending or lying during any part of the interview process will not get you very far. First, it’s hard to fake a passion because you talk differently about topics you’re interested in compared to topics you don’t care about. Additionally, you might be asked some follow-up questions, which can be hard to answer if you pretend to have a specific passion. That said, it’s essential to talk about your true passions and keep your answers as honest as possible.

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About The Author

Jessie Oleson Moore

Jessie Oleson Moore is a Philadelphia-based freelance writer / ghostwriter and artist. As a writer, she has written extensively on finance, day trading, personal growth, and career development and has extensive experience producing in-depth, research-based articles and guides. In addition, she is an accomplished illustrator and author who has appeared on The Today Show and been featured in Publisher's Weekly. In her free time, she’s an avid traveler, Ashtanga yoga practitioner, and unicorn enthusiast.