Why Sharing Your Hobbies and Interests in a Job Interview Can Benefit You

Sharing Your Hobbies and Interests in a Job Interview Can Benefit You

We all know that job interviews can be nerve-racking. The thought of sitting across the table from a stranger and attempting to sell yourself to them can provoke feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. One of the easiest ways to combat these feelings is by sharing your hobbies and interests with your interviewer. Sharing these things can change the tone of the interview, create a personal connection, and convey that you’re a well-rounded person with passions beyond the workplace. Here’s why sharing your hobbies and interests in a job interview can benefit you.

It Humanizes You

Sharing your interests can help humanize you in the eyes of the interviewer. Instead of just listing skills and experiences, you’re letting them in on a bit of your personality. For instance, if you mention that you enjoy rock climbing, it can show them that you’re adventurous and determined. If you tell them that you volunteer at an animal shelter on the weekends, it can demonstrate that you’re compassionate and empathetic. Moreover, interviewing is not just about job-related knowledge and technical skills, but it’s also about finding the best person for the company culture. By sharing their hobbies and interests, candidates can give an insight on how they think, feel, and live when they’re not at work.

It Helps Form a Connection

When you share your hobbies and interests, you’re potentially opening up a window for the interviewer to relate to you on a personal level. They may share similar hobbies or have tried ones you’re interested in, which can be an instant connection. It’s a natural human tendency to be attracted to people with whom we share similar interests and passions. This shared connection can create a rapport that endures throughout the interview process and beyond.

It Shows You’re Well-Rounded

Sharing your interests can also show that you’re a well-rounded person. Employers want candidates who are passionate and curious in life, not just during work hours. Having hobbies and interests outside of work demonstrates that you’ll have an outlet for stress outside of the office. Additionally, it can indicate that you’ll add value to the workplace by bringing unique skills and perspectives acquired through hobbies. For instance, if you enjoy photography, it can make you a better communicator, observer, and more visually-oriented.

It Demonstrates Commitment and Drive

Some hobbies require discipline, hard work, and perseverance, such as learning a musical instrument, training for a marathon or developing talents in art. Employers like individuals who have an inner drive, patience, and determination. When you share these hobbies, it shows that you understand what it takes to achieve long-term goals and stick with something until you can see results. These personality traits are transferable assets that are desirable in the workplace.

Conclusion

Sharing your hobbies and interests may seem like small talk, but it can make a big difference in a job interview. By doing so, you’re breaking the ice, humanizing yourself, forming a personal connection, and conveying that you’re a well-rounded person. It gives you a crucial advantage compared to applicants who solely speak about work-related subjects, and it can leave a lasting impression on the interviewer’s mind. Do not underestimate the power of sharing your passions, whether it is on your CV or during an interview. It might be the factor that sets you apart from other candidates and lands you the job.