Plot twist: 66% of candidates love being asked about their hobbies.

They're wrong to love it.

Here's what last week's survey really revealed about this seemingly harmless question:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘁:

66% view it positively (love showing personality + good ice-breaker)

35% see it as problematic (unprofessional + discriminatory)

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝘁 Informed Decisions

While we understand why some interviewers ask about hobbies, we recommend avoiding this question.

Here's why:

Yes, there are seemingly valid reasons professionals still ask:

- It offers a fuller picture of candidates beyond work experience

- It can reveal extraordinary achievements, stamina, or endurance

- It might show passion and dedication that indicates growth potential

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗜𝗔𝗦 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁:

- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁: Hobbies often reflect opportunity, not just talent.

A Pew Research study shows 84% of high-income adults engage in hobbies vs. 47% of low-income adults.

Are we inadvertently favoring privilege?

- 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗮𝘀: That former quarterback? Not automatically a team player.

And those without team sports?

Not automatically lone wolves.

Don't let false assumptions narrow your talent pool.

It's your job to assess relevant skills during the interview process.

- 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗮𝘀: We're naturally drawn to people with similar hobbies.

You might subconsciously favor the candidate who shares your passion for rock climbing.

But diversity drives innovation.

In talent assessment, there's always a tradeoff between more information and potential bias. As professionals, it's our responsibility to focus on skills and potential.