What are you passionate about? This Is probably the most asked question In interviews, and why the interviewer would want to know what you’re passionate about, they’d prefer if your response to the questions is related to the job you’re applying for.
What I’m saying Is this – I like pets, dogs preferably. But it would be a misfit to talk about animals If I’m asked “what are you passionate about” In a sales job Interview.
A lot of persons make this mistake in Interviews, and why some recruiters would rephrase to make them understand what they meant, some recruiters are not patient. Especially when they have a number of other applicants waiting to be interviewed.
To be on the safe side in such a situation you need to practice your response to the questions “What are you passionate about”. This has become imperative as it gives you an edge over all the other applicants,
So, if you’re prepping for an interview or still on the lookout for a new job, you should definitely read this article.
Perhaps you just don’t know why the recruiters have reached out to you after submitting an impressive resume in your last interview, read this article.
You might come to find out that maybe your response to this question “what are you passionate about” wasn’t as good as you think it was.
Meanwhile, take a look at our table of content for an overview of this piece.
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How to Answer “What Are You Passionate About” in Job Interviews
While trying to answer this question, focusing on a particular area of interest would be nice. This will make it easier for you to remember what your response Is and to keep it very simple.
Additionally, keeping the response limited to a particular thing will keep you ready to give the appropriate response to a variation of this question “what are you most passionate about?”
If you get asked these two questions. you can keep it simple by giving the same response to it.
Therefore, your response can come thus: One thing I’m passionate about Is ….” You can now talk about whatever It is, as long as it’s proper for an office setting.
After telling what thing It Is you’re passionate about, you can take the liberty and explain a little to the panel or person Interviewing you why you’re passionate about the thing you said you’re passionate about.
If you can, relate It to the job, If not, keep It straight and simple.
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How Do You Know What You Are Passionate About?
This section is for you if you’re wondering, “What are my passions?” or if you’re still undecided about what to mention in your interview answer.
Looking at the job/industry and working backward to think about what thrills and intrigues you in that position is the greatest strategy to determine which passion to identify.
“What are the key aspects of this work that appeal to me?” ask yourself.
Working with technology, solving intriguing technological difficulties, assisting people, making a difference in people’s lives, assisting people in living healthier lives, and so on are examples of this. You and you alone can decide what It is for you.
If you’ve done this then you must consider why you’re excited about it or how it fits into your personal interests.
You’ll always have an answer that relates to the job you’re interviewing for if you approach the question this way.
However, if you have a different passion you’d like to share, that’s OK as well. I’m not recommending that you fabricate or lie during the interview.
Nonetheless, I believe that if you go to an interview for a Nursing position and claim that your interest is playing online video games, they would worry how hard you will work.
Or you talk about only animals when you are interviewing as a software engineer, just like I said earlier in this article.
One of the upcoming examples will show you how to name a non-work-related hobby while still sounding pleasant! So keep reading because the examples for the answers are about to appear.
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“What Are You Passionate About?” Answer Examples
Having examined some tips to see in answering the question “what are you passionate about” It’s time we look at some of the answers we’ve sampled. Hopefully, these responses will help you understand better – what we are trying to discuss In this article.
Example Answer 1
“Healthy living and eating are two things that I am enthusiastic about. It’s something I believe my parents instilled in me from a young age.
That is one of the reasons I appreciate working in the fitness sector. It enables me to combine my own hobbies and passions with my professional endeavors. I feel like I’m spending my time helping people with something meaningful, and it inspires me to perform outstanding work.”
The answer above describes how one’s passion has influenced his or her choice of career. Most Importantly, It shows his response to the questions was related to his Industry.
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Example Answer 2
Here’s another response you can look at.
“Learning about software and technology is my greatest love. I’ve always been fascinated by computers, so I decided to major in Computer Science in college and have stayed in that field since graduation. It’s been a fantastic decision for me! I get to shape how the internet progresses and how websites evolve as a front-end software engineer, and that excites me.”
Again, this respondent’s answer to the question “what are you passionate about” is related to his or her career choice. It shows that the respondents have been interested In this line of work way before he was even qualified to apply for it.
Example Answer 3
Sometimes, you might find yourself In a job that requires something different from the two responses we’ve looked at In this article.
In such situations, the response sample below might do the trick. However, It’s important that you find a link to how It connects to whatever role you’re applying for.
“One area that I’m passionate about is self-development and self-improvement in my personal life. I’m always looking to challenge myself and learn new things. That’s one reason I enjoy working in customer service; I’ve learned great communication skills, listening skills, and problem-solving skills that help me in my day-to-day work but also in my personal life in terms of confidence, communication, etc.”
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If you’re still not sure what you’re enthusiastic about or what to say, the answer we just looked at is a good starting point. Saying you appreciate self-improvement and learning new things would make you appear to be an excellent candidate for them to recruit.
And you can apply this to almost any job. Simply choose one good thing that you’ve loved learning in the past or that you believe you’ll enjoy learning in the future.
Overall, hiring managers want to know that you’re enthusiastic about the job and that you’re a pleasant person in general. They also want to learn a little bit about you as a person.
So, when you share your passion in a job interview, the sample answers above will do all of these objectives and help you receive more job offers.
Finally, you might choose a name that has nothing to do with the work. So, if you enjoy this method, check out the following example:
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Example Answer 4
The response below looks at the question from a whole new angle different from your job description angle. The Idea is that the recruiter might be genuinely interested to know you. Maybe they want to know If you have a life outside the work environment.
That is trying to find out what leisure you enjoy. For example, I love to swim. Whenever I’m inside the water It seems like all other things don’t exist, like I’ve got no problems to worry about. And It does help me clear my head and feel energized to work.
“I’m really passionate about sports and being outdoors. That’s usually how I spend my weekends and my time when I’m not in the office. I feel like I have more energy when I return to the office on Mondays if I’ve spent some time outdoors on the weekend.”
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So, if you really don’t want to answer with a work-related passion, you can give an example like the one we just discussed. This is still a smart response that reveals something about your personality to the interviewer.
If they share your enthusiasm or have questions about your passion, this might potentially begin a terrific back-and-forth dialogue. For instance, someone might respond, “Wow, that’s fantastic.” What has been your favorite hike so far?”
Example Answer 5
Your response could also stem from a place of experience. It could be a painful one or not. But showing the ability to turn a certain experience Into something you’re passionate about could do the trick for you.
Take a look at the response below.
I lost a sibling to pancreatic cancer, and I’ve been volunteering to help raise awareness and funding for cancer research ever since. I volunteer with PanCan, a non-profit advocacy organization, and am a member of its volunteer network. One of my greatest passions is assisting in the search for a cure in any way I can. On a personal level, I enjoy getting to know patients and survivors.
This answer can fly because it shows how the applicant took a personal tragedy and turned it into something positive.
But as I always recommend, your response should have something In common with the role you’re applying for. Unless otherwise stated by the recruiter or you intuitively feel like that isn’t what they want.
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Example Answer 6
I’m passionate about painting. I take an evening art class once a week and try to find time each weekend to paint. Painting is a good way for me to relax after a busy week. I also feel that it helps me to be more creative in other aspects of my life. Some of my most creative solutions to work problems have come when I’m painting in the studio.
Like I said earlier in this article, sometimes you just have to show that you have something going on apart from your work interest. The trick thing Is to know when such a response is required. Some recruiters may not make it clear about what they Intend to hear, therefore, you might have to ask to know.
You could also tell them about your passion that relates to the work you’re applying for and then go ahead to talk about your other passions.
Showing that you are able to take time away from work to relax shows that you’re a well-rounded candidate.
Example Answer 7
I’m passionate about baking. I love the process of researching new recipes and testing them out. I’ve been writing up my experiences with baking for the past three years, and every year, I host a massive cookie swap around holiday time with friends. I’m very detail-oriented and love the scientific aspects of baking. However, I’m also a very social person, and use my baking as a chance to get together with friends and family.
Why It Works: The candidate shows both soft and hard skills—research and interpersonal skills—in this response.
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Example Answer 8
Animals are my passion. I have two dogs and a cat, and I volunteer at my town’s pet adoption clinic every other weekend. I enjoy early morning walks and weekend hikes with my dogs. It helps me focus and gather my thoughts. I’m aware that your office has a dog-friendly policy, which I love!
The candidate shows her enthusiasm for her pets, which will be an asset in a pet-friendly workplace. This response also shows that the candidate has taken time to research the company.
While this response would be suitable for an animal-friendly organization, It wouldn’t fly for some other organizations. The idea is to at all times know what will work for an employer. This isn’t saying you should make bogus claims about your passion.
If you do, It’s going to come back and bite you In the butt.
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Example Answer 9
The response below is a suitable one for one looking to become a teacher. The idea that he or she wouldn’t let the slower students behind would definitely warm the hearts of his or her recruiter.
Working with students who are having academic difficulties is my passion. Once a week, I tutor a group of first-graders in reading and writing. I enjoy assisting kids in making connections in subjects where they are having difficulty.
This response is effective because the candidate expresses a desire to assist others and donate his or her time. This is an attribute every employer would want in his or her employee.
Example Answer 10
The final example we have is about volunteering. If you’re interested In working In an environment that is probably a non-profit, or an outreach organization, such passion would come In handy.
“Last year, on behalf of my church, I was able to attend a retreat. We went to a third-world country to build homes for the least fortunate for two weeks. Helping individuals in need is an absolute passion of mine.”
Conclusion
In an attempt to give the right or appropriate response to the question “what are you passionate about” In an interview, one must recognize the dissimilarity in his intended response and his or her Intended job.
If there’s any, then you must find something better for the person interviewing you. Unless on exceptional cases where the said interviewer Is genuinely Interested In what you do for fun.
If not, tell them about a passion of yours that will make you a good fit in their organization.
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