There is an interview question that keeps coming up during job interviews, but candidates keep answering it incorrectly, and that question is what do you do in free time? Now, the majority of candidates think this is an invitation to start talking about how they go out with their friends drinking or how they spend loads of time on the internet or scrolling through social media. Those are not the things you want to say in response to this difficult interview question. If you have a job interview coming up soon for any role or organization, make sure you read this article from start to finish because I will give you the perfect scripted answer to help you pass your interview.
Let’s jump straight into the tutorial, so to help you pass your interview, I will cover the following four things during this tutorial.
- Number one, I will explain why the interviewer is asking you the question, what do you do in free time? Now there is a specific reason why this question is being asked, and if you want to pass your interview, you need to know what it is.
- Number two, I will then tell you five things you should never say you do in your free time during an interview. These five things are red flags to an employer, so make sure you avoid them at all costs.
- Number three, I will then tell you the 10 things you can do in your free time that the hiring manager will find interesting and appealing.
- And then number four, I will give you three brilliant scripted answers to the interview question, what do you do in free time to help you pass your interview.
Number one
So why is the interviewer asking you the question? What do you do in free time, whilst it really isn’t anybody’s business, what you do in your free time? The hiring manager is asking you this interview question for two reasons. Reason number one, what you do in your free time often says a lot about your personality, your values, your goals and your work ethic. They want to employ someone who uses their free time in a certain way and reason number two. If you are the type of person who burns the candle at both ends, you are likely to go off sick more than the average employee, and you are less likely to be flexible in your working hours. So, as you can see the answer you give to the interview question is going to contribute significantly to the overall outcome of your job interview.
Number two
Let me now tell you five things you should never say you do in your free time during a job interview. Now these five things are red flags to a hiring manager, so make sure you avoid them at all costs.
- Number one, don’t say you go out drinking and socializing regularly now. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with drinking and socializing, the hiring manager could think your concentration levels at work won’t be up to the required standard.
- Number two, don’t say you spend your free time on social media. Now again, whilst there’s nothing wrong with going on social media, it isn’t really a good use of your time and you could be the type of employee who is always scrolling on their phone when they should actually be working.
- Number three, don’t say you spend your free time playing computer games. Now, if you’re on your computer playing games for hours on end, you are less likely to be energized and motivated when you are at work.
- Number four, don’t say you spend your free time working now if you have a second job or if you are running a business in your spare time. These are not good things to say when answering this difficult interview question. Now, if the hiring manager thinks you are also working elsewhere, they won’t be convinced you will be one hundred percent committed to their company.
- And number five, don’t say you spend your free time watching television. Now, watching television is actually a good way to unwind and relax. However, if you spend hours on end watching television or YouTube videos apart from this channel, of course, the hiring manager might think you are someone who is lazy and lacks drive and ambition.
Number three
Before I give you those brilliant, scripted answers to the difficult interview question, what do you do in free time? Let me tell you 10 positive ways you can spend your time.
- Number one is to say that you read now there are so many benefits to reading, including increased concentration levels, improved use of words and vocabulary. It helps you to learn. It helps you. To relax, and it can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
- Number two is to say that you have a hobby or a pastime now if you have a hobby or pastime again, it can help you to relax. But it also tells the hiring manager You are the type of person who has a passion and you can commit yourself to something meaningful. Now, more often than not, hobbies require the ability to learn and apply yourself consistently over a prolonged period of time.
- Number three is to say that you play a musical instrument. Now, playing a musical instrument is great on so many levels. Firstly, you have to learn how to play the instrument, which takes time, effort, commitment and concentration. Secondly, it often means you play your musical instrument alongside other people, and this requires teamwork, understanding and collaboration skills. And finally, playing a musical instrument is a great way to relax, unwind and improve your mental health.
- Number four is to say that you look after your family or your relatives. You might be a single parent, or you might be taking care of elderly or sick relatives. Now, if you are a single parent. Hats off to you. This takes discipline, patience, understanding and lots of energy. If you are looking after sick parents or relatives, it shows you to be a compassionate and considerate person. Now, all of these skills and qualities are very much needed in the workplace, and they will be appealing to the hiring manager.
- Number five is to say that you are part of a group, club or society. Now this is a brilliant one to say how you spend your free time. You might sing in a choir, be part of a neighborhood watch group, be a member of a swimming or running club, or even be part of a dance class, whichever one it is. If you are part of a group, club or society, it tells the interviewer You are someone who has good team working and communication skills.
- Number six is to say that you study online training courses. Now, if you are the type of person who often studies online by way of videos or training courses through websites such as Udemy. This shows you to be someone who wants to continually learn, improve and grow as a person, which can only be a good thing for the employer.
- Number seven is to say you keep yourself fit and active. Now, if you keep yourself fit and active by attending a gym or by cycling, running or gardening, for example, it often means your concentration levels are far better than the average person. You have lots of energy, and you can easily deal with the stress and pressures of the workplace.
- Number eight is to say that you spend your free time with friends and family. Now, if you spend time with your friends and family, it will often mean you are a caring person. You are settled and stable, and you have specific social and interpersonal skills that are undoubtedly going to be useful in the workplace.
- Number nine is to say that you have creative interests now. Creative interests include painting and drawing, sewing, acting and even digital photography. Now, creativity is an invaluable workplace skill that can help a business grow. Increase sales and also develop new products and services.
- And number 10 before I give you those scripted example answers is to say that you are volunteer. This is a brilliant one. Now, volunteering is a great way to use your free time, and I guarantee it will impress the hiring manager. If you volunteer, you are probably a caring person with a selfless attitude who always puts the needs of others before your own.
Number four
Let me now give you three brilliant examples scripted answers to that really difficult interview question, what do you do in free time? Please tell me in the comment section below the article, which answer option one, two or three you think is the strongest.
Answer option number one
Number one. Here we go. I like to use my free time productively. I visit the gym three times a week to do cardio workouts. I particularly enjoy using the cycling and rowing machines. Exercise helps me to maintain a positive mindset. It reduces stress and it increases concentration levels. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, family and reading. I have just finished reading Jocko Willink book and titled Extreme Ownership. It was a great read because it taught me the skill of taking ownership of difficult challenges in my life and how to achieve my goals.
Answer option number two
Number two. Here we go. I am a creative person. In my free time, I enjoy digital photography, reading and studying self-development training courses. I taught myself how to take professional standard photographs by undertaking online training tutorials and by reading books. I am at my happiest when I am learning new things and I have the discipline to sit down, apply myself and learn. Finally, I love animals and I have a seven year old dog that I take care of and often walk in my free time.
Answer option number three
Number three. I am a single parent whose free time is mostly taken up by raising my children. Being a single parent has given me numerous important life skills. I am a good multitasker. I am reliable. I have empathy for others, and I always make sure my tasks and responsibilities are completed on time. Finally, I do enjoy keeping fit and want to get the time. I like to go out running. Running makes me happy. It gives me energy, and it helps to reduce stress and increase concentration levels when I am at work.
So there’s three brilliant example answers to that really challenging interview question. Don’t forget to tell me in the comment section below the article, which answer option one, two or three you think it is the strongest.
Now the next thing to do is head through to my website and you can find full set of interview questions and top scoring answers, including the ones I’ve worked through together today so make sure you go through to the website because I’ve also placed more questions on there that I recommend you prepare for. There’s also some really important additional tips that will help you to polish your interview. Make sure you check those out.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the tutorial. As I said at the start, it’s really important because I can then help you not just pass every job interview, but I can help you to negotiate a salary, get a pay rise and also get a promotion and make sure you share your feedback on the comments section. That’s all I ask that motivates me to create more articles for you. It’s really good to connect with like minded professionals such as yourself. Thank you so much for reading, and I wish you all the best for passing your interview. Have a brilliant day!