What do you like to do in your spare time? 6 Interview Answers

How we spend our leisure time reveals much about our personalities and levels of energy. Many interviewers may inquire about your hobbies or interests outside of the workplace. They attempt to comprehend who you are and what they can anticipate from you in the workplace. The question can be phrased in a variety of ways, such as “Please describe three activities you enjoy most in your spare time” or “What do you enjoy doing on weekends?” or “What do you enjoy doing outside of work?”

In the end, however, they always ask about the same thing, and the seven sample responses on my list will work regardless of the question’s wording. Below the answers, you will find a brief analysis of the question and some suggestions that should help you formulate the ideal interview response.download 39

Example responses to the question, “What do you enjoy doing in your free time?” interview question

  1. I enjoy going for walks or hikes in the wilderness. The majority of my days as a market research analyst are spent in front of a computer, which is obviously unhealthy. In order to give my eyes and back the well-deserved rest they require, I try to limit my screen time outside of work. You could say that I enjoy being outdoors and active when I am not working.
  2. I enjoy reading books about human psychology, true stories, and philosophical fiction. First and foremost, I enjoy reading them, but I also believe they broaden my horizons and teach me a great deal that I can apply to my sales job. In addition to helping me improve my vocabulary and communication skills, they also help me relax a bit.
  3. Honestly, when I’m not working, I enjoy nothing more than lounging on a couch, reading a good book, or watching a good movie. At my current job, I perform a great deal of physical labor, and I frequently arrive home exhausted. I’ve learned to pay attention to my body, and when it demands rest, I oblige. On weekends, I prefer to take short trips or ride my motorcycle through the countryside.
  4. Leisure time? I have none, to be completely honest. My children are still young, so when I return from work, I spend as much time as possible with them. I try to play with them and answer all of their questions because I am aware that it is important to them. I do not wish to imply that I do not enjoy spending time with them; on the contrary, it is wonderful. However, this is not truly leisure time. Anyway, that’s life; I enjoy being a father, and I’ve managed to do a good job as both an employee and a family man thus far. If hired, I hope to continue the same trajectory in your organization.
  5. I enjoy socializing in my free time, particularly on the weekends. Going out for coffee or a healthy snack with friends and socializing. When I’m not working, I attempt to make up for the time I spend alone during the workday. But it’s not just about drinking and having a good time. I also try to assist my friends in any way I can. Someone builds a house, while another requires assistance with auto repair, and so on. I do the best I can.
  6. Sports are my primary interest. When I have free time, I ride my bicycle or swim for an hour. I attempt to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Given the amount of time we spend sitting at work, I try to move as much as possible when I am not working. It’s my method for staying healthy, and it’s been working wonderfully so far.

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Your extracurricular activities can help you establish rapport with your interviewers.

Hiring managers and recruiters are individuals similar to you and me. They also have hobbies and pastimes that they enjoy during their free time.
And just like everyone else, they enjoy spending time with those who share the same wavelength of thought and perhaps the same interest in something (be it art, sports, anything).

Before you interview for a job, search online for their LinkedIn and Facebook profiles. Examine the professional groups they belong to and the content they post. This should provide you with an idea of the leisure activities they enjoy. And if you share a common interest with them, mention it when they ask about your leisure activities. A shared interest can serve as a bridge to help you win them over and ultimately land your new job contract.

* Special Hint: This question is relatively simple, but you will encounter many difficult questions during job interviews. Questions regarding prioritization, handling pressure, navigating ambiguity, and other challenging workplace situations. Take a look at our Interview Success Package if you want to ensure that your answers stand out and that you surpass your competitors. Up to ten premium answers to 31 challenging scenario-based questions (and more) will make your life significantly easier during interviews. Thank you for your interest.

A healthy lifestyle will always earn you bonus points.

Employers are aware of the average worker’s Achilles heel, as revealed by statistics. People are becoming increasingly ill. Without a cup of coffee in the morning, many of us would be unable to even leave the house… We struggle against diseases and addictions.

If you participate in any activities that promote good health, such as walking, power hiking, running, cycling, yoga, or meditation, you should absolutely mention it in your interview. Even if you are just beginning (or if you ran for the first time yesterday), you should mention it.

Companies prefer to hire individuals with high levels of energy and who will not be sick every week. Assure them that you are doing your best to maintain your health.

The best in any field never cease to learn.

Learning is another leisure activity that will impress interviewers. The world evolves swiftly (actually the pace is quite crazy). A technology or piece of information that performed miracles for us a year ago may now be ineffective. The best employees are those who never stop learning (and enjoy the process).

This does not mean you must enroll in ten online courses or read five new books per month. It is sufficient to state that you may enjoy reading industry news in your spare time, or that you occasionally attend conferences or watch documentaries on weekends, or anything else. Your demeanor is important to the interviewers. If they observe that you enjoy acquiring new knowledge in your spare time, you will receive bonus points for your interview response.

Also acceptable (and a sad reality for many of us:) is not having any spare time.

If you have a family, care for someone else after work (your elderly mother, for example), or even have a second job (part-time waiter, for example), you can say calmly that you do not have any free time as long as you provide an explanation.

Once you demonstrate that you are a responsible mother or father, or son, or that you have your goals (or debts) and do not mind working extra hours each day to make some extra cash, you present yourself as a responsible person, someone they could rely on. And this is essential for all employers…

In conclusion, examples of responses to more challenging interview questions

Each interview response is crucial. The hobbies we pursue in our spare time reveal a great deal about our personality and outlook on others, work, and life.

Attempt to demonstrate that you are not bored with life and that you do not exist solely to work. You enjoy your free time, take care of your health, and remain passionate about at least some activities.

Lastly, if you and your interviewer share a common interest, bring it up during the interview. It can help you connect with them on a more personal level, and such a connection is invaluable for your interview success…

Athina Iliadis is a Human Resources Professional with over 25 years’ experience in corporate environments working for companies such as Pearson, LexisNexis, Hershey, and Reckitt. In her current role as a consultant working with clients around the world, she coaches managers and employees on HR issues, supports leaders in their business, produces content about careers, interviews, and job opportunities. She is fluent in English, French and Greek, and she holds a BBA with a major in HR from Université du Québec à Montréal. Find her on LinkedIn and at athinailiadis.com

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