How To Answer The Interview Question: What Are You Passionate About?
Answering open-ended interview questions can be one of the trickiest things to do in the job search process. Asking yourself the right questions, preparing your answers in advance, and delivering them effectively can help you stand out from the competition and land the job.
Open-ended interview questions like “tell me about yourself” or what are you passionate about can be the dream questions to the ears of some candidates, whilst for others, a nightmare. In this article, we'll provide tips on how to answer these tough interview questions and help you make the most of each opportunity. Here’s how.
Start with S.T.A.R.
If you are new to interviewing, you may have not heard of the S.T.A.R. format.
S.T.A.R. stands for:
S: Situation
T: Task
A: Action
R: Result
The S.T.A.R. format is an effective way to approach an interview, as it allows you to deliver well-structured answers in a concise, memorable manner. This interview response structure is a very simple way of communicating information in a story-based format that is short, sweet and to the point. It’s also a fantastic format for answering questions that seem directionless as it helps candidate’s create a framework for delivering answers in a systematic, guided way that help them stand out in interviews.
Here is an example of a very simple response to “name one of your strengths and a time you exemplified it” interview questions.
S: Once I was in a group school project and we had to create a mobile application for a class assignment. I knew this was a big project so leadership was going to be important.
T: I volunteered to be the project manager, or group leader. Leadership has always been a strength of mine so I was happy to put these skills to use to help our team succeed.
A: As project manager, I was able to formulate a project strategy, align our group communication methodology through Microsoft Outlooks and Teams and create project check-ins and deliverables using advanced project management software. Since many of my fellow team members were new to the project software, it was also a chance to educate and mentor teammates in learning a new technology.
R: As a result of my leadership, our mobile application was a success! Our presentation earned an A from our professor and it was one of the best group projects I’ve ever been part of. If I am selected for this role, I am confident that I can bring the same skills and abilities I used in this project to my position and be successful in the role and be in service to those around me.
S.T.A.R. is that simple! Interview questions don’t need to be super long or very deep in detail. Say what you mean and mean what you say and communicate it in a way that is straightforward and direct.
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Be Authentic and Truthful With Your Passions
Applicants should choose a passion they actually believe in, aligns with who they are and is truthful. The amount of times I’ve sat in on an informational interview with folks and they say a passion like analytics but they’re applying for a very creative position, I have to scratch my head. I often ask back- then why are you applying to a creative position when your interest and passion is in quantitative analytics?
More often than not people are giving answers they THINK the interviewer wants to hear and doesn’t truthfully represent the applicant. Be authentic and truthful in interviews! If your passion is being outside, say that! And then say how you plan on incorporating aspects of passion into work. Or how pursuing your passions makes you a stronger employee.
Make Connections
Making connections between your passions, skills and what you are good at AND tying it into the job you are applying for is the sweet spot. Future employers want to see how this position is going to challenge you professionally in your skill set and knowledge base but also to make sure you actually are interested, engaged and excited about the work you are doing. So be sure to bridge that gap for them when answering interview questions.
Be Specific
General passions like solving world hunger or curing cancer are admirable but make sure to be specific with how this passion has grown within you and how you explore it. What is your WHY. Is there a way to tie it back to the company mission? If you believe in affordable housing for all and the company has pictures on their news section of their website showing employees volunteering with Habitat for Humanity this might be a nice way of being specific and making connections between your passion alignment and the company vision on volunteerism. It shows you did your homework on the company and how the company is a good fit for you!
Related:
10 Perfect Questions For Young Professionals To Ask An Interviewer
Tips To Professional Growth After College From Two Career Coaches
4 Tips To Writing The Perfect Elevator Pitch (With Examples)
Meet The Writer!
Hi! My name is Nadia Ibrahim-Taney and I help people design happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at Nadia@beyonddiscoverycoaching.com
