How to answer, "How did your passion for this field develop?" in a job interview

So you've rehearsed and rehearsed how you could best answer different questions for your job interview.

On the day you're feeling quite proud of your performance — until the employer asks, "So how did your passion for this field develop?"

Uhmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Passion? What passion?

Surely passion for my aunt's macaroni cheese doesn't count — right???

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

There's really no need to panic because when an employer asks this question. What they really want is to get to know you better.

Your potential employer wants to:

• Get an idea of your life outside work

• Understand what might motivate you if you got the job

• Understand how important the job will be to you

• It's not the end of the world if you're not in love with the topic or skill related to the job. Not everyone is passionate about their profession, especially when they're starting out.

• An interest leads to a passion.Many find that one skill leads to another. Eventually this journey equals more passion as time goes by.

Not everyone knows what they want to be yet.

Remember:

This question is an opportunity to talk about yourself and how well you could do the job!

Think about...

• When did your interest in this field begin?

• Why does this field interest you?

• What made you become interested in it?

• How do your interests and hobbies relate to the job?

• How do your answers make you a good candidate for the company?

For best results:

Write or draw your answers to fully understand your interests and how they might connect with a job you are interested in.

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

1. You knowhow your passion began

For a repair specialist role: "When I was younger, I used to help my Dad fix gadgets around the house. This was the beginning of my obsession for understanding how things work! I want to carry this obsession into this role."

For a stage manager role: "I remember watching an incredible dance at a show I attended. This inspired me."

2. You don't know how your passion began

For an electronics engineer: "I am not sure how my passion started. I just love electronics and can't wait to learn as much as I can."

For a graphic designer: "I don't know how my passion began but I am a hard worker. I have a large portfolio of work I would love to show you."

• Don't panic, take your time to answer.

• Give it some thought, be honest — and even if you don't give an inspiring response, it might actually be ok, as long as you connect your answer to job skills.

• Explain why you are interested in this field.

• Explain why getting the job is important to you.

• Communicate how your passion (or interest) could help the company.

  

Jason is at an interview for a graphic design position for a TV production agency. The employer wants to get to know Jason. They ask, "What are your passions for this field?"

Congratulations!

You're now ready to ace your interview question about how your passion developed more confidently. The employer can get to know you better if you learn things about yourself first.