What is the hiring manager looking for?

Hiring managers ask this question to gain insights into your personality, interests, and values. They want to see if you have a life outside of work, as this can indicate your ability to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, your answer can provide clues about your communication skills, adaptability, and overall fit for the company culture.

How to structure your answer

To structure your answer effectively, follow these steps:

1. Identify and Choose Your Activities: Select activities or hobbies that align with your personality, values, and skills. Consider activities that demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving abilities, or other relevant skills for the role.

2. Explain Your Passion: Elaborate on why you enjoy these activities and what they mean to you. Share personal anecdotes or examples that illustrate your genuine interest and enthusiasm.

3. Highlight Transferable Skills: Connect your activities to the skills and qualities required for the job. Explain how the skills you’ve acquired through these activities can directly benefit the company and your role.

4. Demonstrate Work-Life Balance: Emphasize how your outside interests help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and contribute to your overall well-being. Explain how this balance enhances your productivity and creativity at work.

5. Conclusion: Summarize your answer by reiterating your passion for your activities and their positive impact on your personal and professional life.

Tips to answer this interview question

Tips:

* Be genuine and authentic. Don’t try to impress the interviewer with activities you don’t genuinely enjoy.

* Be brief and concise. Keep your answer focused and avoid rambling.

* Avoid sensitive or controversial topics. Steer clear of activities that may raise red flags or reflect poorly on your character.

Things to Avoid:

* Don’t say you have no hobbies or interests outside of work. This can make you seem one-dimensional and boring.

* Don’t talk about activities that are illegal or unethical. This can raise concerns about your judgment and values.

* Don’t complain about your job or coworkers. This is a red flag that you’re not a team player.

Example interview answers to this question

Sample Answers:

Answer 1:

“Outside of work, I’m an avid hiker and backpacker. I love exploring new trails, challenging myself physically, and connecting with nature. These activities help me stay active, relieve stress, and foster a sense of adventure. The problem-solving and decision-making skills I’ve developed through hiking and backpacking also translate into my work, where I often face complex challenges that require creativity and critical thinking.”

Explanation: This answer demonstrates the candidate’s passion for hiking and backpacking, highlighting the transferable skills gained from these activities, such as problem-solving and decision-making. It also emphasizes the positive impact of these hobbies on the candidate’s overall well-being and productivity at work.

Answer 2:

“In my free time, I’m a dedicated volunteer at a local animal shelter. I enjoy caring for animals, helping them find loving homes, and advocating for their welfare. These experiences have taught me the importance of compassion, empathy, and teamwork. I believe these qualities are essential in any workplace, and they’ve helped me build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.”

Explanation: This answer showcases the candidate’s passion for animal welfare and volunteering, highlighting the transferable skills gained from these activities, such as compassion, empathy, and teamwork. It also demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Answer 3:

“Outside of work, I’m an amateur photographer. I love capturing moments, telling stories through images, and expressing my creativity. Photography has taught me the importance of attention to detail, patience, and perseverance. These skills have been invaluable in my role as a project manager, where I need to juggle multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and maintain high-quality standards.”

Explanation: This answer demonstrates the candidate’s passion for photography, highlighting the transferable skills gained from this hobby, such as attention to detail, patience, and perseverance. It also shows how these skills directly benefit the candidate’s role as a project manager.