How to Answer "What Are You Passionate About?" in a Job Interview

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Tips for nailing this interview question (plus sample responses)

Co-authored by Seth Hall and Aimee Payne, MFA

Last Updated: April 29, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Answer

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Dos & Don'ts

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Sample Answers

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Why Employers Ask About Passion

Have you ever been asked, "What are you passionate about?" in a job interview? It may seem like it's coming out of nowhere, but when you expect this question—and have a chance to think about your answer—it can show your interviewer why you're a great fit for the position. We're here to help you prepare to answer this question with confidence and ease so you can impress your interviewer.

Top Answers for “What Are You Passionate About?”

When your passion is connected to your career: Say what you’re passionate about, why it sparks your interest, and how it helps you succeed in your work.
When your passion is unrelated to your job: Share what your passion is, why you enjoy it, and what skills transfer to your work
If you aren’t sure what your passion is: Choose an activity you spend a lot of time on, say why it interests you, and how it helps you grow.

Section 1 of 4:

Crafting an Answer to “What are you passionate about?”

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Be positive and enthusiastic with your answer. No matter what your answer is, you’ll make a good impression if you have a good attitude and seem excited to share your experiences. Keep your answers focused on how your passion has helped you grow as a person.
- For example, you can tell the interviewer about lessons you’ve learned while pursuing your passion, focusing on skills like determination, creative problem-solving, and diligence.
- Don’t hesitate to share what you really love about your passion project. This helps the interviewer understand what motivates you.
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Use the "what, why, and how" structure to answer the question. Having a structure in mind when you answer an interview question helps you stay focused. No matter how closely your passion aligns with your job, being able to clearly define what it is, why you love it, and how it informs who you are can make you stand out from the other candidates. ^{[1]
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- Tell the interviewer what your passion is. The key here is to look and sound like you’re happy to share your passion with someone new.
- Explain why you’re so passionate about it. Describe what you find rewarding about your passion to give the interviewer clues about your character and what motivates you.
- Talk about how your passion relates to your career. Find a way to connect your passion to the skills needed to do your job. For instance, a passion for fitness can enhance your drive and dedication, which can help you complete projects and meet deadlines.
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Connect unrelated passions to your job. It’s perfectly acceptable to talk about a passion that’s not obviously related to the open role. But if you’ve spent time and energy on your passion project, you’ve most likely gained skills that are transferable to your career.^{[2]
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Research source} For instance, a passion for crafting can teach you patience and give you a keen eye for detail.
- Most employers want to hire candidates who are interested in more than just work. Workaholics might seem like the best choice on the surface, but they tend to be stressed and less likely to take creative risks.^{[3]
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- Employers like well-rounded employees because they’re more flexible. Many times, a new assignment or project doesn’t quite fit into a particular job description. If you have skills outside of your official list of duties, you can make a good impression and set yourself up for successfully climbing the corporate ladder.^{[4]
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Talk about your hobbies when you haven’t settled on a passion. If you’re in the process of searching for your passion, you can still come up with a great answer to this question. Consider your interests, and try to narrow them down to one or two you’re most excited about.
- Choose something you’ve been interested in for a while so you possess more in-depth knowledge. This can help you be more relaxed and genuine when answering follow-up questions.
- Think about what appeals to you about the job and how it fits with your personal interests.
- Even if it doesn’t seem like it relates to the job, your hobby shows that you have interests outside of work. As long as you can talk about why you enjoy it, you can give the interviewer an idea of your personality.
- Try to come up with a few transferable skills.^{[5]
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  Research source} For example, if you like to go fishing, you can talk about how it has taught you patience helps you relax after a stressful work week.

Section 2 of 4:

Dos & Don’ts for Talking about Your Passion

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Do:
- Be honest. Never lie about your passion. Not only can it make you seem inauthentic, but it can also be awkward if the interviewer asks a follow-up question.
- Run through a practice interview. When preparing for an interview, have a friend ask you what you’re passionate about so you can practice and get feedback on your answer.
- Expect follow-up questions. If you’re passionate about something, it’s common for others to want to know more. Be prepared to share more details.
- Keep the focus on your skills. Stick to a few key points about your transferable skills when talking about your passion in an interview
- List your achievements. If you spend a lot of time on your passion, you probably have earned some impressive accomplishments.
- Choose what you share wisely. There’s nothing wrong with being passionate about online gaming, but it might come across as a potential distraction from work.
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Don’t:
- Rush your answer. It’s okay to pause to think for a moment and take a breath. This allows you to gather yourself, which can make your answer seem more thoughtful.
- Choose a controversial topic. Political, religious, and some other passions can come with baggage. Stick to neutral topics or those that align with the mission of the company.^{[6]
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- Compare yourself to others. This question is about you. The interviewer wants to get an idea of who you are. When you compare yourself to others, it can make you look insecure.
- Get too far off-topic. It’s easy to get off-topic when you’re talking about your passion. Be aware of how in-depth you’re going and wrap up when appropriate.
- Be too passionate. It’s natural to be excited about your passion, but if you start talking too quickly or rambling, you could make a negative impression.^{[7]
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Section 3 of 4:

Sample Answers for "What are you passionate about?"

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I’m extremely passionate about continuous learning because I believe it’s the key to both personal and professional development. I love to learn new things, and I’ve always been committed to keeping up to date with the latest trends and emerging technologies.
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I’m incredibly passionate about staying up to date on the latest marketing trends. The internet is constantly changing how we market products and services. The only way to be as effective as possible is understanding the current marketplace.”
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Music has always been my passion. I’ve played piano for over 15 years because it helps me unwind. It’s taught me the value of dedication and perseverance when learning new things. I also find that keeping a regular practice schedule helps sharpen my ability to focus, which translates to my work.
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I’m passionate about reading. I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction, but I find true stories about how real people overcome obstacles in their lives inspiring. It has helped me better understand the value of hard work and determination when it comes to meeting challenges.
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I have several interests at the moment, but I especially enjoy solo hiking. Not only do I like having time to myself to think, but hiking alone has taught me creative problem-solving skills and the importance of proper planning.
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In the last year or so, I’ve become increasingly interested in baking. I enjoy the science behind baking a loaf of bread, a cake, or a batch of cookies. It has helped me become more detail-oriented and curious about understanding how the process affects the outcome of a project.

Section 4 of 4:

Why Employers Ask About Your Passion

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They want to get to know you. Interviews are about more than whether you can do the job. A company wants to know more about you as a person. It can also give them a better sense of your communication skills.
- Always be honest and genuine in your answers since that's the best way to show a potential employer who you really are.
- Interviewers can often tell when you're being inauthentic, which can make the interview more awkward.
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They want to know if you will be a good cultural fit. An interview is about more than just going over the skills listed on your resume. Your interviewer is trying to determine if you’ll fit in with the team and whether your passion fits with the company’s overall culture.^{[8]
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- Make sure to research the company thoroughly before the interview so you're prepared to talk about how you and your interests fit in with the company's mission.
- Try to relax and be yourself. That's who they want to meet.
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Your answer reveals your potential strengths and weaknesses. Asking what you're passionate about isn't only about getting to know you. Your interviewer is also interested in the skills you’ve developed while pursuing your passion.^{[9]
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- Be sure to highlight any transferable skills when you answer, but try to be truthful.
- It can be helpful to jot down a short list of skills related to your passion before the interview.
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They want to build rapport with you. Recruiters and hiring managers know how stressful interviews can be. They ask what you’re passionate about to help you relax and put your best foot forward.
- Take a deep breath and remember that this isn't a trick question.
- Your interviewer cares about the answer to the question because it helps them learn more about who you are outside of work.
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They want to learn what interests you personally and professionally. If they’re looking to create a team with a range of interests and life experiences, your answer could be key to telling them whether you fit with their plans. Don't be afraid to tell them you like to knit or play backgammon.
- Don't worry if you don't think your passion is very exciting on the surface. Your enthusiasm and what you get from it are more compelling than you think.
- Give them an honest, thoughtful answer. Being yourself can help you ace the interview and land a job that fits your skills and your passion.