Interview Question (applying, employer, job, companies)

[tmee1409]

I have an interview on Monday and every interview I have had asked me "what do I do for fun?"

How should I answer that? Since I am an engineer I am temped to say keep updated on current technologies, read about new things coming out...that type of stuff.

I have said play sports, hang out with friends and family...but when I said that I haven't gotten the job.

Any suggestions to answer this question?

[GypsySoul22]

I don't know, maybe it's me but what does this have to do with the job?
What I do (as long as it is legal) outside of work is not anyone's business.
How does this affect my work?

I think I have the British attitude to this...my time is my own and 'you don't need to know' what I do outside work.
But if you get asked, say what you do and if that 'really' keeps you from getting the job, then what can you do?

[tmee1409]

I agree with you gypsy!

I have been asked that by both private companies and government ones. I have always said the same thing about hanging out with friends/family, watching sports, and playing sports. I did know if there was something better to say though.

I think what I do in my free time is whatever I want to do. work is work and my time is my time.

[roncorey1]

Tell 'em you like to get wasted at the local bar...

[7 Wishes]

Sounds like they only want people who don't have a life..... (or who's entire life is the job...). Par for the course today sadly.....

Seriously, I'm not sure what they;re getting at but that's my guess, you can try the answer you gave in your OP (about current technologies, etc.) and see if it makes a difference or not. It's a "job lottery" to some extent anyway......

[LoveBoating]

I had an interview with a Manager one time ask me that question and I said "wife and I love to go boating and fishing". He smiled and said, "I've got a boat and take my son fishing quite a bit, where do you go fishing at?" And, a short conversation got going between him and I, which was cool. Unfortunately I didn't take the job and ended up moving out of the State. I know that some people can feel offended when asked "what are your hobbies/interests" because they think to themselves "what the heck does this question have to do with the position I'm applying for". As for me, I have no problem answering a question like that. Can an interviewer base you as a possible hire-hire-no hire on the answer to that question, they could........would they, maybe! Just never know.

[FarNorthDallas]

I have never been asked that. Are they trying to find out if you have children?

[hnsq]

Be honest. Getting to know a potential employer personally will lead to a job more than any qualifications. Most likely they are trying to get to know your personality. If you are cold and say 'it's none of your business' that is most likely the attitude you will bring into work - and it is definately not one an employer wants at their company. Obviously keep the conversation work appropriate, but if an interviewer asks that you are lucky. Take the opportunity to have a conversation with the person instead of just an interview.

If you get the job you will spend 5 days a week (at least) with these people anyway, so getting to know each other is very important.

[max's mama]

Originally Posted by tmee1409

I have an interview on Monday and every interview I have had asked me "what do I do for fun?"

How should I answer that? Since I am an engineer I am temped to say keep updated on current technologies, read about new things coming out...that type of stuff.

I have said play sports, hang out with friends and family...but when I said that I haven't gotten the job.

Any suggestions to answer this question?

Read. Can't go wrong with that.

[Hester Prynne 417]

When I went to a management training session, they told us to ask that question during an interview because we can use it to find out a lot about the person's background. Of course, the trainer was an elitist, pretentious snob who thought anyone without a country club membership was less than dirt.

I am very wary when I'm asked anything about my personal life in a job interview. I normally give very benign answers that don't reveal anything about whether I'm rich, poor, married, single, childless, etc.