What Do You Do for Fun? 17 Ways to Answer

Inside: Do you have any ideas for things to do that are both fun and relaxing? This what do you do for fun guide has suggestions for answers. When asked by the interviewer, you will be prepared.

We all know the feeling. You’re at a networking event, or perhaps on a first date, and someone asks you the inevitable question:

What do you do for fun?

Your mind goes blank. You can’t think of anything interesting to say, so you mumble something about watching TV and call it a night.

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

However, when you are interviewing for a new job, you need to nail the sometimes awkward question.

So, the next time this happens, try one of these 13 conversation-starting responses:

How do you answer what I do for fun?

Answering the question “What do you do for fun?” during an interview is important because it provides insight into your personality and whether you would fit in with the company culture.

To answer the question effectively, it’s important, to be honest and showcase your unique interests and passions.

• One way to answer is by discussing a hobby that relates to the job or demonstrates valuable skills.
• Another option is to talk about a hobby that showcases your personality or values.
• You could discuss a recent experience or accomplishment that you’re proud of, showing your drive and dedication.

In any case, be sure to keep your answer professional and engaging, while highlighting what makes you stand out as a candidate.

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How to Answer “What do you do for Fun” in an Interview

“What do you do for fun?” is a question that can throw many job seekers into a loop during an interview.

It’s not always easy to answer, especially if your hobbies and interests aren’t the most “conventional” or if you don’t have any hobbies at all.

Step 1: Be Honest

It is crucial to be honest when answering the question “What do you do for fun?” in an interview because it shows that you are an honorable candidate.

Being truthful demonstrates integrity, and it is a quality that people value.

Moreover, honesty prevents you from being caught in a lie, which can harm your credibility and chances of getting the job.

It is also vital to keep your answer simple and relevant to the job you are interviewing for. For instance, if you are applying for a position at a sports company, mentioning your interest in sports can make you stand out. However, it is essential to be genuine and not makeup stories to impress the interviewer.

Step 2: Show your passion

When answering the question “What do you do for fun?” in an interview, it’s important to showcase your passion and enthusiasm for the activity.

For example, if you enjoy hiking, you could explain how the beauty of nature and the physical challenge of the activity inspire you.

Additionally, you can mention how this passion translates to your work ethic, such as by demonstrating your dedication and perseverance in achieving your goals.

By highlighting your genuine interests and tying them to your professional skills, you can show the hiring manager that you are a well-rounded and committed individual.

Step 3: Pick one or two things

When answering this question, start by considering your hobbies and interests, then narrow it down to one or two that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Explain why you enjoy these activities and how they’ve helped you develop skills that could be beneficial in the workplace.

Keep your answer concise and enthusiastic, with a friendly tone.

Step 4: Emphasize how this will help you in your job

When it comes to talking about hobbies during a job interview, it’s important to make a connection between your interests and the job you’re applying for. This can demonstrate how your hobbies can be an asset to the company and how they can help you succeed in the role.

For example, if you’re applying for a marketing job and you enjoy painting, you could talk about how your creative skills from painting can be applied to your work. Similarly, if you’re part of a sports team, you could discuss how the teamwork and collaboration skills you’ve developed can translate into being a better team player in the workplace.

It’s also worth mentioning how your hobbies help you decompress and recharge after work. For instance, if you’re applying for a high-stress job, you could talk about how reading helps you unwind and come back to work feeling refreshed.

When mentioning your hobbies, it’s important to be truthful and genuine. Don’t make up interests that you don’t actually have just to impress the interviewer. This can backfire and cost you the job offer.

Step 5: Use necessary details only

For those who love to talk, this tip is for you! Make sure to detail only what the other person may be interested or that will give you a heads up.

Avoid oversharing or rambling by speaking about all of your hobbies.

Avoid cliche responses and discuss specifics about what you like to do for fun with friends or family. Remember to keep your answer positive and to the point, supported with a few brief details.

Step 6: Find common ground

During a job interview, it’s important to find common ground when answering the question “What do you do for fun?” This will help you stand out in the interviewer’s memory and establish a connection with them.

Look for shared interests and use them to your advantage.

If you notice the interviewer wearing a brand of clothing you like or supporting a sports team you also support, mention it and use it as a launching point for your answer.

Be honest and specific about your interests, and showcase any skills or values that you have gained through them.

The 13 best ways to answer “What do you do for fun?”

We all know the feeling.

You’re sitting in an interview, and the interviewer asks you a question that feels like it’s designed to trip you up. For some people, this question is “What do you do for fun?”

Answering this question well can be the difference between nailing the interview and not getting the job.

Here are some ideas to help you answer this possibly awkward question.

1. Start with Hobbies & Interests

When discussing your hobbies, aim to share areas that you are truly interested in and passionate about. This can lead to follow-up interview questions and potentially create a great relationship with the interviewer.

When asked about your hobbies in an interview, it is important to be truthful and genuine about your interests and hobbies outside of work.

It may be helpful to prepare in advance by brainstorming two to three hobbies that you enjoy and can speak passionately about.

If you happen to spot something in the interviewer’s appearance that indicates a shared hobby, such as a Garmin sports watch indicating a love for running or cycling, it can be beneficial to mention your own interest in that activity.

However, even if you do not spot anything obvious, sharing multiple hobbies can improve your chances of connecting with hiring managers.

2. Relate Your Personal Activities to the Job

When it comes to discussing your hobbies and interests during a job interview, it’s important to establish a connection between what you like to do for fun and the job you’re applying for.

This can be done by identifying common skills or attributes that apply to both your hobby and the job. For instance, if you’re an artist applying for a marketing job, you can talk about how your creative skills from painting can help you perform well at work. Similarly, if you’re part of a sports team, you can discuss how the collaboration and teamwork involved in the sport can directly translate into helping you become a better team player at work.

In addition to highlighting the skills and attributes that apply to both your hobby and the job, you can also discuss how your hobby helps you decompress and maintain a work-life balance. If you’re applying for a high-stress job, for instance, you can talk about how a simple hobby like reading helps you unwind and recharge, allowing you to come back to work feeling refreshed.

3. Be a Storyteller – Not the Interviewer

When asked this question, the interviewer wants to get to know your personality and how you communicate with others.

This is an interpersonal skill that will you help you to land the job.

You want to tell an intriguing story, but not go into the details that the other person finds boring. You want to be engaging – that shows your potential employer or date how you will interact with others.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask open-ended questions yourself.

4. Make Sure to Qualify what makes you special

When answering the question “What makes you unique?” during a job interview, it is important to provide a well-rounded view of yourself.

The interviewer wants to know what unique skills you could bring to the team. It is essential to ensure that your answer is positive and to the point.

You should not try to mention all of your interests or list them off.

By highlighting unique activities or lesser-known facts about your interests, you can make yourself stand out in the interviewer’s eyes, and the hobby may become your identifier when the hiring manager is making their decision.

Sample Example Answers to “What do you do for fun”

Here are some examples you can give to the hiring manager or your date:

1. Cook delicious meals

2. Bake goodies for others

3. Spend Time With Friends and Family

4. Get Out in Nature and go hiking, cycling, rock climbing, paddleboarding or skiing.

5. Singing or acting

6. Read for Pleasure

7. Watch Movies or TV Shows

8. Listen to podcasts or watch documentaries

9. Make Art

10. Meditate

11. Take Photos

12. Play Board Games

13. Plant a Garden

14. Listen to Music

15. Volunteer

16. Fishing

What to Avoid in Your Answer

When an interviewer asks you, “What do you do for fun?” this is not an invitation to launch into a list of your hobbies.

It’s actually a behavioral interview question, which is meant to reveal something about your character.

So, make sure you don’t do these things.

1. Avoid Clichés Like “I Like to Keep Busy”

It’s important to avoid clichés like “I like to keep busy” when answering the question “What do you do for fun?” in an interview or social setting because they provide no real information about who you are.

This answer makes it seem like the job or starting a new relationship is not important.

Avoid common clichés like “hanging out with friends” or “spending time with family” as they are too broad and uninteresting.

Choose to share things that you actually do for fun, make a connection where you can, and keep it simple and honest.

2. Don’t Mention Things You Don’t Actually Enjoy Doing

Avoid mentioning activities that you do not actually enjoy doing, as this can come across as insincere and potentially cost you the job.

Additionally, do not avoid the question or give an incomplete answer. Instead, be honest and share 1 or 2 things that you actually do for fun.

If an activity you enjoy relates to the company, mentioning it can make a positive impression.

This is especially true when applying for low stress jobs without a degree.

3. Don’t Be Self-Deprecating

Self-deprecation may make the person answering seem insecure or lacking in confidence. Instead, focusing on positive and confident answers can make a better impression on the interviewer.

It’s important to avoid self-deprecating answers when asked about what you do for fun because they can come across as negative and uninteresting. For example, talking about hobbies or interests that you are passionate about and that showcase your strengths can be a great way to show your personality and skills.

For instance, you might say that you enjoy hiking and exploring new trails in your free time, which demonstrates a sense of adventure and a willingness to take on challenges.

4. Don’t Try to Impress with Your Hobbies

Making up stories or pretending to be interested in something that you’re not can backfire and harm your credibility, self-esteem, and sense of integrity.

Instead, focus on sharing what you actually enjoy doing and tie your hobbies to skills that would fit the job. Even if your hobbies seem mundane to you, they can be extremely interesting to others.

Plus, being authentic and real can help you connect with the other person and avoid any damage control later on.

5. Don’t Include Unrelated Skills

When it comes to talking about hobbies or skills during a job interview, it’s best to tie them to the job you’re applying for. While it’s acceptable to mention hobbies that are not directly related to the job, it’s best to avoid discussing completely unrelated skills.

Talking about unrelated skills may give the impression that you’re not truly interested in the job or that you lack the necessary skills for the position.

For example, if you’re applying for a software engineering position, it’s probably not a good idea to talk about your love of painting. While painting may be a great hobby, it doesn’t have much relevance to the job you’re applying for. Instead, you could talk about your interest in coding and how you enjoy working on personal coding projects in your spare time.

6. Don’t Write About Hobbies that Are Too Exotic

Activities that are considered extreme or dangerous can make you appear as a risk to the company, and hobbies that could bring your morals into question, such as partying or drinking or many other things I’m not going to mention in this blog can paint you in a negative light.

It’s important to remember that as an employee, you will be a representative of the company, and any negative view of you could reflect poorly on the company.

Instead, focus on the more interesting and relevant hobbies that showcase your skills and personality.

7. Don’t Use Excuses for Not Having a Hobby

It’s essential to avoid making excuses for not having a hobby when answering the question “What do you do for fun?” during an interview because it can come across as uninteresting or lacking in personality.

However, It’s better, to be honest and admit that you don’t have any particular hobbies than to make up stories that might not be true.

Think of things you would do if you had more time in your day.

Those are your hobbies regardless of how much time you have dedicated in the past days.

Example Answers

Here are some example answers to get you started.

Example 1

One hobby I enjoy doing in my free time is hiking as it is a great way for me to unwind and reconnect with the outdoors. I find it to be a great way to exercise and explore nature.

I love the feeling of being surrounded by trees and fresh air, and the physical challenge of climbing hills and mountains. Once a month, I try to go hiking.

Example 2

One fun activity that I enjoy doing with a group of friends is playing board games. The sound of laughter and friendly banter fills the room as we gather around the table, each armed with our own game piece.

The competitive spirit is alive and well as we try to outwit each other and come out on top. But it’s not just about winning – it’s about spending time together, bonding over shared experiences, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Whether it’s a classic game like Monopoly or a newer favorite like Settlers of Catan, board games provide the perfect opportunity for socializing and having fun with friends.

Example 3

One of my favorite activities to do with friends and family is going on picnics.

I love the feeling of laying out a blanket on a grassy field, surrounded by nature and good company. The sound of laughter and conversations mixed with the rustling of leaves and birds chirping creates a peaceful atmosphere.

Sharing delicious snacks and refreshing drinks while enjoying the scenery and each other’s company brings me immense joy.

FAQ

Now, What do you Like to do for Fun?

This guide is to help you during an interview, but something you use in other relationships as well.

Honesty is always the best policy.

With these fun ideas, you will be able to answer the interviewer’s questions with ease.

So, the next time someone asks you what you do for fun, you will be able to answer with confidence.

Find ideas for what should I do today.

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