Sometimes during a job interview, it’s easy to anticipate what an employer may ask.
“Do you like being part of a team”, or “Tell me about a time when you faced an irate customer (or another problem)
While these questions are common, employers frequently ask, what are you passionate about?
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Why do employers ask, “What are you passionate about”?
It is critical to understand the employer is trying to find the best person for the role. They want people in their organisation who are there not just because they are qualified, but they actually want the job.
Do they want to be here?
Asking a candidate what they are passionate about signals to the employer, are they really interested in the position? Depending on your answer, the employer can discern whether you will enjoy the job and willing to make a long-term career out of it. Or, they may realise you’re here simply because you need an income, with no real interest in the position or the industry.
What value do you bring?
Invested and interested candidates add value to the organisation. It’s very difficult to thrive in a job you hate. If this is your passion however, it is very likely that you will work diligently, be open to learning, an asset to the team and truly enjoy your experience at the company. Quite simply, interested and passionate individuals are a pleasure to work with.
What competencies you possess?
Employers may want to identify other skills you may have as a result of the things you are passionate about. These skills can potentially be used around the organisation at some point. For example, if you say you’re passionate about planning events, mentoring, catering or making customers happy, these are all capabilities the company can leverage when necessary.
More details about you
Possessing the skills and qualifications is one thing, but they may want to know how you spend your free time. Some employers do this just to get further into your personality. You can tell a great deal about a person based on the things they enjoy doing.
How to answer, “What are you passionate about”?
Ensure your answer is fitting for their satisfaction by considering the following:
Mention something productive
Always remember employers love productive people. Skip the ‘hanging with friends’ or ‘spending time with family’ cliches. Those may be admirable but doesn’t help the employer or differentiate you from other candidates. Specify a productive hobby such as some type of craft, volunteer work or a charity that you enjoy. This shows that even in your free time, you derive fulfilment from worthwhile activities.
Highlight a particular skill
Your passion must make you valuable! Include an activity that requires skill. Activities such as watching TV, going out with friends or reading does not require skill. Instead, do you perform any work around the house? Carpentry? Gardening? Cooking? Are there any sports or musical instruments you can play? Whatever it is, state your passions involve a tangible skill that brings some sort of benefit.
What do you get out of it?
People often derive fulfillment, stress relief, personal growth or purpose from the things they’re passionate about. Highlight the reasons for your passion during the interview. Which employer wouldn’t want a fulfilled, stress-managed and purposeful person on their team?
Relate it to the job!
Employers are looking to see if what you’re passionate about relates to the job. For example, you can mention, “I am passionate about health and fitness which works great for this position because exercise gives me a burst of energy and manages my stress. I also get my most creative ideas during that time”.
Spend the most time relating your passion to the job. Whatever activity you select, ensure there is a benefit for the employer. You must make them understand, the very things you’re passionate about will help you to excel in this position.
Non-verbals are important
Let your passion and enthusiasm shine through your body language. Lean forward a bit more, smile, make eye contact and show some excitement so the employer can feel your energy.
Choose carefully
Choose activities that you truly care about, but also work in your favour. Mundane, reckless or activities that may conflict with work should not be brought up. Save those conversation for the informal water cooler meetings.
Sample answers for “What are you passionate about”?
I lost both parents to lung cancer in my early twenties. Since then, I have been an advocate for lung cancer awareness. I have spent lots of my free time volunteering to help raise sponsorships and donations for cancer research. I volunteer for The Cancer Society, and other smaller advocacy groups, and also manage their social media activities. This has improved my digital marketing and social media management skills while helping to find a cure, for present patients and future generations to be cancer-free.
I’m passionate about culinary arts (cooking). I learnt from my grandmother who was a master in the kitchen. She was surprised what a fast learner I was. By sixteen I was already handling family dinners, parties and other events around my neighbourhood. I love the process of researching new recipes and testing them out. New experiences excite and motivate me. I’ve also started a blog with some of my favourite and unique recipes to share with busy moms, and basically any food lovers out there. This has led to another skill of content writing and online marketing as I promote my blog in several places. Promoting my cooking blog has enabled me to be a very social person, and use my culinary skills to entertain and bring people together.
My passion is teaching. I love working with students who are struggling academically or require remedial tutoring. It has taught me patience, being a great communicator and leader. I tutor a group of CXC students on weekends in accounting, economics and mathematics. For me, teaching is a great way to give back, pass on a valuable gift of education and make a positive change in a young person’s life. I delight in helping students make improvements and seeing their achievements in subjects they previously struggled with.
