Most job seekers get asked, “what are you passionate about?” during an interview. Here’s how you can answer this question effectively and efficiently.
Answering “What Are You Passionate About”
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:
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What makes you unique?
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What are you most passionate about?
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What do you love to do in your free time?
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Do you have any driving passions?
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What is your desired career path?
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What are your personal interests?
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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.
