The short answer: when an interviewer asks about your hobbies, they want to get to know you as a person and see what you’re like when you care about something. Answer in three parts: name one or two real interests, add a specific detail or achievement, and (lightly) connect it to something useful at work, such as discipline, curiosity or teamwork. Keep it to about 30 seconds, be genuine, and be ready for a follow-up question, because they’ll ask. Avoid controversial or risky topics. Below are ten example answers.
Example answers are illustrations, not quotes from real candidates.
Why interviewers ask
Mostly to build rapport and see your personality, energy and how you talk about something you enjoy. But it can also influence decisions more than people think. In a study of hiring at elite U.S. investment banks, law firms and consulting firms, sociologist Lauren Rivera found that more than half of evaluators ranked cultural fit, the perceived similarity to existing employees “in leisure pursuits, background, and self-presentation,” as the most important criterion at the interview stage. That’s a reason to answer thoughtfully, and for interviewers to be careful about bias.
The three-part answer
- The interest. One or two real hobbies. Specific beats generic: “trail running” rather than “sports.”
- A detail that shows depth. A goal, a project, how long you’ve done it, or something you learned.
- A light link to work (optional). Only if it’s natural. Don’t force every hobby into a job skill.
Ten example answers
Running
“I run, mostly trails. I trained for my first half marathon last year with a 16-week plan and finished in just under two hours. I like having a goal and seeing progress week by week, which is probably why I enjoy setting team targets at work too.”
Cooking
“I cook a lot, and I’m working my way through regional Mexican cooking. Every Sunday I try one new recipe. It’s my way to switch off, and I’ve learned that following a recipe exactly the first time and then improving it works for most things.”
Reading
“I read about 20 books a year, a mix of history and science fiction. Right now I’m reading about the history of the printing press, which is surprisingly relevant to how new technology spreads.”
Volunteering
“I volunteer twice a month at a food bank, where I now help coordinate the Saturday shift of about 15 volunteers. It’s taught me a lot about organizing people who don’t have to be there.”
Music
“I play guitar in a small band with friends. We play a few local gigs a year. Rehearsing together has made me a better listener, which helps in team meetings more than I expected.”
Team sports
“I play in a weekend soccer league. I’m not the most skilled player, but I’m the one who organizes the team chat and makes sure we have eleven people every week.”
Gaming or puzzles
“I love strategy games and puzzles, especially chess. I play a few online games a week and review my mistakes afterward. It’s a good habit for work, too.”
Creative hobbies
“I do watercolor painting. I started during a quiet winter three years ago and now sell a few prints at a local market each year.”
Learning and side projects
“I’ve been learning Spanish for a year with an app and a weekly conversation group. I can now hold a basic conversation, and my goal is to be comfortable on a trip to Mexico next spring.”
Family and the outdoors
“Most weekends I’m hiking with my family. We’re trying to visit every state park in our state; we’re at 23 out of 30.”
Hobbies to avoid or handle carefully
- Political or religious activities, unless directly relevant to the job. They’re personal, and they can invite bias.
- Anything risky or illegal-sounding, or that might suggest you’ll often be unavailable or injured.
- Solitary, passive interests stated alone, such as “watching TV.” If you binge documentaries, say what you’re learning from them.
- Hobbies you can’t discuss in depth. Don’t make one up; interviewers ask follow-up questions.
If you don’t think you have hobbies
Talk about how you actually spend your time: family, walks, learning something, a community role, or a show or podcast topic you follow. Example: “Honestly, with two young kids most of my free time is family time. We spend a lot of weekends at the park, and on evenings I’ve been listening to history podcasts. I just finished a series on the Roman Empire.”
Related questions
- “What do you do for fun?” or “Tell me something that’s not on your resume.” Same approach.
- “What did you do last weekend?” A short, real, positive answer.
- These often come early, so they set the tone. See tell me about yourself.
Should you list hobbies on your resume?
Only if they’re relevant to the job, show a skill the role needs, or you’re early in your career with limited experience. Keep it to one line, and make sure you can talk about each one.
Frequently asked questions
How do I answer "What are your hobbies?" in an interview?
Why do interviewers ask about hobbies?
What hobbies should I avoid mentioning?
What if I don't have any hobbies?
Should I put hobbies on my resume?
Sources
- Lauren A. Rivera, Hiring as Cultural Matching: The Case of Elite Professional Service Firms, American Sociological Review 77(6), 2012. Read on 1 October 2026.
- ScienceDaily, Employers often more interested in hiring potential friends than the very best candidates (summary of Rivera’s study, 29 November 2012). Read on 1 October 2026.
