What are you passionate about for an interview? Explain in 4 steps
Last Updated on Apr 13, 2023
Introduction
Have you thought that the things you’re most passionate about could be something that can be asked of you in an interview?
Are you aware of the things that make you passionate? You might know a bit much about something you are passionate about. But the question comes, How?…. So many things coming to your mind right now, isn’t it?
This article will walk you through how you can collect that information and present it in a splendid way that the interviewer has nothing but a yes to say to you!
Why does the interviewer ask you about your passion?
Knowing about your passion or dreams has probably nothing to do with the interviewer. It can also be unrelated to the job you are applying for, so why does the interviewer ask this question to you? Have you thought about it?
The primary and most definite reason for asking this is the personality check that most recruiters do this way. According to psychology, people who are passionate about something are more likely to perform better at work than those who lack passion or interest in things apart from their work.
This means they want to see if you have interests outside of your work and are good at managing both.
How to answer in just 4 simple steps:-
Following are the steps to consider to answer the question: What are you passionate about:-
1. Be authentic
Know what you’re passionate about? Share.
Don’t know what you are passionate about?. Say no.
Still, figuring out? Also, Tell them.
Whatever stage you think you are at, accept it and tell it to the interviewer. It is better to say than to pretend to be someone you are not. Being your most authentic self will get you more appreciation than anything else.
2. Share some interesting story
Do you have a memorable story in your head that came up reading this? Well, share that. And if you don’t get any, it’s magnificent. You can share your experience instead.
Share the story of your recent activity you have started doing or thinking of doing something new. Tell them how you feel when you play badminton every Sunday, for example. You can say it is your go-to activity whenever you need a recharge to work better.
You can share even the little thing as watching a show/ or a movie that keeps you motivated after working for long hours.
3. Define your interests
Suppose you are the kind of person who has so many interests. Share about it, and if it’s unique or elaborate, you like to make a paper craft that acts as a therapy for you. Fantastic!
Define the process, share how you started, and show your progress. This will not only make you look excited but also innovative that you like to explore something exciting and completely distinct from your profile.
Whether you are a side artist or a sports player, showing that side of you with genuine enthusiasm and knowledge will make a compelling impact on your impression.
4. Relate it to your work
Whatever you are passionate about, try to relate it to your work. If you think you are already doing a job that is also your passion. Lucky you! But if you come under the majority of people with different passions or interests outside their work. Then the best thing to do in that case is to relate your passion with your work.
For example, if you are some extra good in web designing and have a keen interest in doing it in your free time but are applying for a mechanical engineer job, to relate your passion with it.
You can say,
“Well, since I am fond of web development and learned it during college, I made my website XYZ, where I post some educational content related to engineering life. This helps me learn something new every day and has guided over 200+ students in their careers.
You may find it easy to describe something randomly, but what if they ask
another related question?
Sample examples for reference
Sample
When you have lots of hobbies/interests:
“My biggest passion is learning about people and their behaviour. I was fascinated with this from a young age, so I decided to study Psychology in college, and I’ve continued in that direction since graduating. It’s been a great choice for me! As a professor, I get to shape many young brains and their mindsets and, most importantly, how they can serve the future of science, and that’s exciting to me.”
When you don’t know much about your likes and dislikes:
“I’m not sure if I’m more of a hobby connoisseur, honestly, but one area that I’m always passionate about is self-development and self-improvement in my personal life. I’m always looking to challenge myself, reading books and learning new things. That’s one reason I enjoy working in health care and interacting with patients; I’ve known excellent communication, listening, and problem-solving skills that help me in my day-to-day work and personal life in terms of confidence, communication, patience, etc.”
When you have no clue on what to tell about your passion:
“I have a few interests, but lately, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in nature, and I’ve developed an intense desire to do something for it. I joined a local NGO, and I love their mission and working with animals, so it’s been the perfect opportunity for me. While volunteering, I’ve honed my organizational skills in keeping the animals on a daily routine and have worked in compliance with the Humane Society and welfare programs .”
Key points:
- Do not forget to show excitement about your passion.
- As said earlier, be authentic with what you want to say.
- It may feel awkward to share things that may not look professional or sound childish, but if it’s your passion. Share anyway.
- Always join the clues with your job. This will help the interview to know more about how you use your passion in your work.