Have you ever considered responding to the job interview’s general query, i.e., What are you passionate about? A passion is an activity or hobby that you find fulfilling, giving you a sense of joy and peace. You will like your work more if you follow your passion as a career. When an interviewer asks you this question, it’s your chance to discuss your pastimes. Similarly, firms want to hire someone enthusiastic about life who will bring that energy to the workplace. Therefore, you should be the best version of yourself and be dedicated to what drives you. Note that the employer may ask this question to build rapport.
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What are You Passionate About
This article covers tips and ways to respond to the most common interview question: what are you passionate about?
Clues to Different Aspects
When responding to what are you passionate about, include the interest that guided you to explore careers like how to get into cyber security or data science.
Motivation & Engagement
It’s useful for companies to know what motivates their employees. They want to know how to maximize teamwork. It also tells them you can devote yourself wholeheartedly to a project. Hence, telling them about any extra skill may offer further growth opportunities.
Ask About Strengths
While sharing your pursuits, you can tell them about the strengths required in tech sales, digital marketing, and more jobs. You are more inclined to invest time and energy in something you are eager about. So, firms can find these strengths useful by utilizing them.
Personal & Professional Interests
Companies may ask about your interests to learn more about your work ethic, morals, and personality. Creating a personal connection can help employers assess their suitability for the company. They can even know where you share their company values.
Cultural Fit
The hiring manager is often curious about how your passions fit the corporate culture. They look for people with comparable interests and values. Likewise, some applicants have a higher chance of succeeding in the company.
Long-term Commitment
Your level of commitment to your passion speaks clearly to potential recruiters. Are you someone who is always looking for ways to improve? Apart from all this, people eager to learn have a higher bent to remain committed.
Steps to Find What are You Passionate About
You can use these steps to answer this query when preparing for your job interview.
Pick an Idea, Activity, or Skill Set
Pick a passion, hobby, or job aspect you can easily discuss. Think back to your favorite weekend activities or prior tasks. You could also bring up an effective goal, such as improving workplace security. Thus, your passion and expertise will highlight your commitment to work.
Select a Passion You’re Actively Involved
Select a passion that is a personal pastime or a talent relevant to your work. If you are interested in coding, describe your subsidies to open-source projects and how often you attend tech meetups. It displays your firm commitment to what inspires you.
Explain Your Reasons
Explain your enthusiasm about this hobby and how it connects to your work. If you enjoy cooking, describe how it improves your ability to manage your time, follow directions, and be creative. Link these skills to the job specifications and show how your passion adds value to the workplace.
Provide Suitable Example
Give clear examples of the steps you’ve taken to pursue your passion. For instance, if you strongly commit to equal rights, highlight your work with relevant groups. Mention your ambitions for any training project and your goal-achieving skills.
Relate It To the Job
Make a connection between your work and passion. If you’re enthusiastic about writing and applying for a PR job, describe how your experience and writing abilities make you a good fit. Prove how your passion improves your fit and complies with the job criteria.
Tips and Tricks
There are a few tips and trips that might help you qualify during your job interview:
Take Some Time
Consider taking a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. It could assist you in covering the topics you want. However, choose a passion that fits the positions you are looking for.
Have Mock Interview
Have a friend or coworker simulate an interview with you, asking these and other typical questions. They can provide you with feedback on how to improve your response. So, you can gain confidence by rehearsing in a setting where you feel at ease.
Consider Follow-up Questions
Employers often inquire about your interest. Therefore, picking a subject you can speak extensively about is critical. For instance, if you love doing theatre, you may introduce a few characters you’ve portrayed or your artistic skills.
Be Authentic
The most crucial factor may be that you speak about a subject you are sincerely passionate about. A lack of transparency will affect your ability to build rapport with the interviewer. Still, explain briefly what excites you and draws you to an activity.
Share Examples
Give specific examples of your passion-pursuit activities, such as goal-setting or volunteering. For example, if you enjoy jogging, mention your marathon training. These specifics will help you establish rapport with the interviewer. Further, they prove your devotion by showing your follow-up skills and strategic thinking.
Provide a Why
Make your response relevant by focusing on your passion for the task and making a connection to your job. For example, if you like coaching, stress how much you love teamwork and training. On the other hand, if you like to work in a team, talk about how you’re keen to use it in the workplace. Thus, it shows your excitement and how your hobbies fit the job role.
The Bottom Line
In an interview, employers could try to find out what drives you. That is the reason the managers ask: What are you passionate about? They may ask you about your pastimes and the subjects or topics that are most important to you. You can answer them by telling them how you achieve this. If you prepare a clear response to these queries, you can connect with potential workers and land a job that fits your values and interests.
FAQs on What are You Passionate About
What should not be said as an answer to this question?
Be clear about what are you passionate about. Don’t convey improper or useless pursuits in the interview. Saying you’re not excited about anything can come across as apathy. Also, refrain from responding in an overly general manner.
How do you show passion in a job interview?
To show your passion, talk about your hobbies and how they apply to the job at hand with enthusiasm. Give examples of how your interests have improved how you live. Keep up positive body language, like smiling and keeping eye contact.
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