A Useful Guide for Sharing a Fun Fact About Yourself

Updated 27 March 2023

While networking or interviewing, someone may ask you to share an interesting fact about yourself. To ensure that you make a good impression, you can give due thought to this question whenever you have the time for it. There may not be a hidden intent to this question, as it is mostly just the prompt interviewers employ to get you to talk about yourself, thereby showing a bit of your personality.

In this article, we examine some common ways to share a fun fact about yourself, the importance of the information you share and some tips to keep in mind when you share a fun fact about yourself.

Why Is It Important To Know A Fun Fact About Yourself?

Many networking groups, classrooms and businesses ask individuals to state fun facts about themselves as an easy ice breaking exercise. The question “What is a fun fact about yourself?” is usually asked to get you talking without inhibitions. It is rare for the person who asks the question to read into it further and make judgements or assessments based on your answer. But this is also an opportunity for you to share an interesting piece of information that helps people remember you by.

In a classroom or group environment, this may be a talking point that circuits the room to make individuals stay in the minds of others. In a job interview, where you may be the only subject, it is just as much a tool for making a memorable impression. Your answer can be unique and engaging, often encouraging a person to ask further questions to carry the conversation forward. You may benefit greatly from giving this question due thought, so you have some interesting information to share when the situation demands it.

Example Ideas For Sharing A Fun Fact About Yourself

If an interviewer were to ask you this question, you can speak truly about yourself. Keep in mind that the person who asks you this question may want to understand your personality and what you can offer the organisation. If your fact relates to a relevant industry, it could be an obvious choice for an interview setting. Personal interests and experiences that highlight your skills can work well for you in both interview and casual settings. Below are some examples of interesting facts you could use about yourself as an introduction:

Hobbies and skills

These are some examples of hobbies and skills you can share:

Favourite hobby

Hobbies are a good place to start and for many, what may first come to mind. For many, what we like to do reflects who we are. Hobbies are also great ways to connect with people. Shared interests in something like a hobby makes for future connections and easy conversation. Unique interests show character and generate intrigue whereas being highly skilled at something could come in handy at the workplace. This is an especially good tactic if your hobby relates to your career.

Languages

It is always impressive when someone can speak multiple languages. You may come off as well-rounded and learned, with a skill that could come in handy both on the job and outside the workplace. If appropriate, give a quick demonstration.

Software and tools

If you are proficient in any software or tools, you can mention it and indicate the level of expertise in each. This is a useful approach in a job interview setting, especially if the software and tools you mention are relevant to the job role you have applied for. If you have any certifications, feel free to mention them and state the year of certification to indicate how updated your knowledge is.

Experiences and pastimes

These are some examples of experiences and pastimes that you can share:

Something you do on the weekends

Another route to take could be discussing your weekend life. Depending on the role or your interests, you can reveal either your frequent pastimes or specific destinations you have visited. Consider sharing goals you have related to these activities to show your growth mindset.

Something you have done in the past

If you have been on an adventure that warrants mention, you may share it. Displaying enthusiasm and zest for experience will make a good impression and spark warmth in your conversation. Talk about what you did, why you felt compelled to do it and anything exciting that happened while you were at it. Framing events like learning experiences also helps make a good impression.

Somewhere you have been

Travel can be a good conversation starter as it can give you the opportunity to share your unique experience. Such anecdotes often offer a glimpse into your character and passions. Perhaps you have journeyed to some lesser travelled locations that may generate excitement in your audience. Cast your journeys positively and highlight how they have helped you grow as a person.

People you admire

Speaking about the people you admire is an unconventional, but useful icebreaker, as your personality may be considered reflections of your heroes and ideals. Speaking about them is a good tool for standing out and can display that you are a unique and thoughtful individual. By stating who you admire and why you admire them, you are saying a lot about yourself with few words.

Biggest accomplishments

Speaking about an accomplishment that makes you proud is your chance to draw attention to your achievements and your determination. Narrate your personal journey and flesh out the details of your process. For example, if you have received a notable award or ran a marathon, this is a good opportunity to mention it.

Volunteer work

Discussing the causes that are dear to you can always make a good impression. You can reveal positive characteristics and display both passion and compassion. Furthermore, you may even find others who are committed to similar causes. This enables you to make a connection and encourages further conversation.

Personal favourites

Sharing your preferences or referencing your specific tastes in any domain can shed light on your personality and character to an extent. Moreover, it can also bolster camaraderie and initiate passionate discussions within your audience. Mention your favourite book or author and engage your audience by narrating how they have had a formative influence on you. Avoid mentioning highly controversial artists or work, as this may spark unhealthy debates. Here are a few common domains for speaking about favourites:

Books
Cinema
Artworks and artists
Sports teams
Musicians
Social media personalities or handles

Tips for choosing your fact

The list of possible topics and personal factoids is extensive and can range from anything listed above to the pets you keep or the food you like to eat. While there is not an exact science to sharing something interesting about yourself, here are a few tips you can use to ensure that you pick a good one:

Be creative

If there is a probability that the information you share may be perceived as generic, it may fail to grab attention or spark interest in your audience. For example, if you mention a worldwide bestselling book, there is a chance that many others who speak before and after you may share the same information. In such cases, it helps to point out specific information that sets you apart from the crowd in terms of originality and uniqueness. You may mention your favourite character in the book and choose to talk about how they influence you.

Consider the crowd

Depending on the nature of the crowd you are speaking to, your answer may lose or gain appeal quickly. Consider this before you share information and assess how your answer may be perceived by each member of the crowd.

For example, if your audience comprises academics, you may share information about your formal education background or your love for research in a specific domain. If your audience is composed of creative professionals and artists, consider speaking about your favourite art forms and notable practitioners in each domain. Avoid speaking about your personal politics if you feel it can cause a rift within your audience.

Engage your audience

It is a good idea to talk about subjects that have the potential to engage your audience. When you mention an obscure area of interest, there is a good chance that your audience may not be as invested as you are in the conversation. You may then find it difficult to create a dialogue and generate curiosity. Discussions which are one-sided are seldom memorable. People tend to remember discussions that actively involve the participation of several interested parties.