What do you like to do in your free time?
The interviewer asks this question to gain insight into your personality and see if you enjoy the same hobbies and activities as the rest of the team. Not that you have to like the same things as those you work with, but it can make an enjoyable environment when coworkers have common interests. The interviewer also wants to see that you have healthy ways to decompress and debrief from the stressors of the job.
Focus on giving three or four examples of what you like to do in your free time. Describe how these activities help you relax and rejuvenate you for your next shift.
You want to avoid mentioning activities that may look childish or unprofessional to the interviewer, even though they are harmless. Suppose you say that you like to lay around playing video games or get drunk with your buddies while watching a game. While there is nothing wrong with spending your free time however you please, the interviewer might disagree with your choices. It is best to mention activities that include spending time with your family, exercising, reading, or playing music, which are all neutral activities that most interviewers would identify with.
"In my free time, I like to spend it with my husband and three children. We like to take our dogs to the beach, go boogie boarding, have barbeques with our neighbors, and spend time planting vegetables in our garden. With my line of work, I rarely have a lot of time to spend with them, which they understand. I also like to do yoga and meditate every morning, which helps me clear my head for the day."
"For the past four years, I have been a full-time student and part-time employee, so I do not typically have a lot of free time. When I have a day off, I like to go for mountain bike rides with my girlfriend, go to a CrossFit class, or practice playing my guitar. Those are all activities that help me rejuvenate and bring my stress levels down."
Unlock all 40 Investigator questions
Prepare for behavioral scenarios and technical questions that test investigative judgment.
Get Started