Job Interview Question and Answer: What Do You Like to Do Outside Work?

This is your chance to give your potential employer some insight into who you are as a person. After all, if they hire you they’re going to be spending at least 40 hours a week with you – so they want to know what sort of person they’ll be taking on board.

In general, it’s fine to be honest about your hobbies and interests – whether that be kick-boxing, attending salsa classes, footy matches or the theatre, building model trains or playing Guitar Hero. If you can demonstrate that you are a well-rounded person with passions and interests, that can only be a good thing. But there’s no point trying to pretend to be something you’re not – just be yourself and show them what an interesting, multi-faceted person you are.

However, it is most definitely in your interests not to mention anything that might ring alarm bells in the interviewer’s mind – such as your penchant for getting trashed several nights a week with your mates, or spending hours playing the pokies every night at the pub. Whatever you do, you don’t want your interviewer thinking that you are an out-of-control or addictive personality – because the chances are that they’ll never call you back.

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Here's an example: 

I’m a bit of a fitness freak. I was a pretty keen road cyclist for a while, but after an injury, I’ve switched to long distance running and I actually completed my first full marathon last week! There’s just something about endurance sports that really appeals to me. I love pushing myself and I love pushing my limits.

See our full list of interview questions and answers to help you in your next interview!