Answering: ‘What Are You Passionate About?’

Employers may ask the interview question, ‘What are you passionate about?’ to see if you are a well-rounded person outside of work. They may be looking to hire a diverse team of people with different life experiences, interests, and hobbies. Likewise, an employer could use this question to see if you fit in with their company culture. Although your passion doesn’t always have to relate to your work, it can show an employer that you are a motivated individual, which is helpful for any position.

Follow these steps to effectively answer, ‘What are you passionate about?’:

1. Be honest in your answer

When thinking of what your passion is, choose something that you are genuinely excited about. If you simply pick something to impress the employer, your answer may not come off as authentic. Don’t worry about choosing something that is directly related to the job, unless you are truly passionate about a specific skill or topic having to do with your career. This question is simply to give the employer a little insight into your personality, so don’t overthink it.

2. Find a few key talking points

Once you pick what you’re passionate about, think about a few interesting things you can share. For example, you could share how long this thing has been your passion and how you got into it. Finding a good balance of sharing some interesting information about your passion can show an employer that you’re a good conversationalist.

3. Discuss how you’re involved

Choosing a passion that you’re involved in can show an employer that you have the ability to commit to something. This is often a desirable trait for a candidate to have. For example, if your passion gives you opportunities to get involved in the community or do interesting volunteer projects, definitely bring these examples up. This can show that you are motivated and willing to follow through.

Follow these tips when answering, ‘What are you passionate about?’:

• Include memorable details. Adding a fascinating fact or interesting tidbit can help an employer remember you among a large pool of candidates.
• Choose a passion you know a lot about. It’s smart to choose a passion you know a lot about in case they ask you some follow-up questions. For example, if you’re passion is cooking, be prepared to share what is your favorite dish to make.
• Make sure your passion is work appropriate. Don’t discuss anything that’s illegal or unsavory to discuss at work. For instance, sharing that you like to drink with friends may not be the most appropriate thing to share when trying to impress an employer.
• Explain out-of-the-ordinary passions. If you’re interested in something the general public may not know about, dive into the topic a bit more. The employer may find it interesting to learn more about this new topic.

There are many ways you can discuss your passions during an interview. Use these example answers as inspiration:

Example 1

Ever since I was a little kid, I enjoyed tinkering with things. I first started off trying to modify my go-kart, and now that passion has grown into modifying actual cars. My specialty is anything between the years 1960 to 1990. It’s a nice way to use my mind and hands to create something tangible. Nothing is more satisfying than when I can get an engine roaring for the first time in years.

Example 2

I’m passionate about photography. Every weekend I take out when one of my cameras and start exploring. My husband and I often take weekend road trips just to scout out a new destination to take pictures of. I find that this creative outlet keeps me curious about the world around me. Although I primarily shoot in digital, I also play around with film when I’m interested in trying new techniques.

Example 3

My number-one passion is making sushi. When I was in college, I studied abroad in Japan for a semester, and ever since then, I have been addicted to perfecting a traditional sushi roll. I find the process of visiting the fish market to pick out fresh ingredients to be very relaxing and exciting at the same time. Once a month, I make a large batch to share with anyone who is interested. I’ve even started researching how I can make my own soy sauce.

Example 4

When I was little, my older brother passed away from leukemia. Although this way a huge loss for me, it also inspired me to volunteer at the local children’s hospital. I am proud to say that I have been an active volunteer for the past 20 years. As I have grown as a volunteer, I have taken on more responsibilities there. For example, for the past few years, I have organized their 5K race. I find it very rewarding to see families like mine enjoy a day of fun provided by us volunteers.

Example 5

My passion is running. Every Saturday morning, I meet with my running club to complete a 10-mile run. This activity has kept me in shape and led to some lifelong friendships. Starting this summer, I plan to train for my second marathon and beat my personal record.