3 key takeaways
- Sharing fun facts during interviews can create memorable first impressions and help demonstrate cultural fit.
- They should be relevant to the job and professional yet personal enough to be interesting.
- Use Teal’s AI Resume Builder to highlight relevant fun facts in your job search materials when appropriate.
“Tell me about yourself.” As predictable as this job interview question is, a surprising amount of job seekers are unprepared to answer. After all, what’s interesting to one hiring manager or company may not be as entertaining to another.
You have to know your audience. Are they interested in hearing a funny story, like your most embarrassing moment, an irrational fear, your favorite podcast, or your childhood celebrity crush? Or do they prefer something more relevant, like your dream job?
To leave a lasting impression on potential employers, share interesting facts about yourself. These "fun facts about me" serve as icebreakers, building connections and showcasing your unique personality. In this guide, we'll explore the art of crafting engaging fun facts, provide over 100 examples, and demonstrate how to use them in your job search.
Want to make a lasting impression? Use Teal’s free AI Resume Builder to create a resume seamlessly integrating relevant, unique details.
Fun facts in your job search
Fun facts are more than just icebreakers—they can be strategic tools in your job search. And while your job search materials—like your resume and cover letter—don't need to be fun at all, there are some situations and times (like job interviews!) where having a few fun facts handy can be helpful.
Employers use fun facts as a window into your personality beyond professional qualifications. It's their way of gauging how well you might fit into their company culture and interact with team members and clients.
Fun facts can set you apart by:
Creating a memorable first impression: In a sea of qualified candidates, a well-crafted fun fact can help set you apart. It’s the unique hook that makes you memorable and gives interviewers something to associate with your application, ensuring you stand out long after an interview ends.
Demonstrating cultural fit: Fun facts can subtly show how well you align with a company's culture. For example, sharing your passion for volunteer work might resonate with a company that values community involvement.
Showcasing your personality: While your resume tells your professional story, a few fun facts add color to the narrative. They reveal that you’re more than just your job skills—you’re a well-rounded individual with unique hobbies and interests and experiences.
Crafting the perfect fun fact examples
The right fun fact can make a difference in how you're perceived. Here's how to create one that captures attention and showcases your unique qualities.
Keep it relevant to the job or company
The best fun facts are those that relate, even tangentially, to the job or company you’re applying to. If you’re applying for a position in international business, mentioning your ability to speak multiple languages would be both relevant and impressive.
Balance professionalism and personality
While you want to show your personality, remember the context. Keep your fun facts professional enough for a work environment but personal enough to be interesting.
Keep it concise and impactful
A good fun fact should be short and punchy—something that can be conveyed in one or two sentences. The goal is to pique interest, not provide a lengthy explanation.
Avoid controversial topics
Steer clear of potentially divisive subjects like politics or religion. The aim is to create connections, not controversy.
100 fun facts about me examples
Now that you know how they can benefit your job search, check out over 100 fun facts about me examples.
Professional achievements and skills
- I've learned five programming languages in the past year—talk about code-slinging!
- I once gave a TED Talk on sustainable urban planning
- I'm fluent in sign language and have interpreted at major conferences
- I've written a book on productivity hacks that's sold over 10,000 copies
- I hold three patents for eco-friendly packaging designs
- I've mentored over 50 startup founders in the last two years
- My most prized possession is my patent award for an eco-friendly product design
Unique experiences and travel
- I've visited all seven continents before turning 30
- I lived in a treehouse for a month while volunteering in Costa Rica
- I once accidentally crashed a royal wedding in Bhutan
- I've completed a silent meditation retreat in the Himalayas
- I've cooked a meal for a Michelin-starred chef
- I've swum with sharks in the Great Barrier Reef
- My favorite childhood memory is camping under the stars in the Sahara Desert
Hobbies and interests
- I'm an amateur astronomer and have discovered a new star
- I've completed 50 escape rooms with a 100% success rate
- I'm a competitive axe thrower and have won regional championships
- I brew my own kombucha and have created over 20 unique flavors
- I'm part of an improv comedy group that performs monthly shows
- I've run a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica
- My favorite ice cream flavor is lavender honey, which I discovered during a trip to Italy
- I host a weekly podcast on productivity hacks and personal development
Examples of fun facts about yourself
- I can recite the first 100 digits of pi
- I have a collection of over 1,000 rubber ducks
- I can solve a Rubik's cube in under 30 seconds
- I can name every Best Picture Oscar winner since the award's inception
- I can write equally well with both hands
- I can identify over 200 bird species by their calls alone
- My hidden talent is playing the theremin, an electronic musical instrument
- My favorite word is "sonder," which means the realization that each passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own
Educational and learning experiences
- I taught myself to play the ukulele using only YouTube videos
- I'm currently learning my 10th language through language exchange apps
- I've read a book a week for the past five years
- I completed an entire computer science degree through free online courses
- I learned to code by building a fully functional app in 30 days
- I've taken a class in every department at my university
- My childhood nickname was "Professor" because I loved teaching my friends new things
Embarrassing moments
- My most embarrassing job was dressing up as a mascot for a local sports team
- I once tripped and spilled coffee on my boss during my first week at a new job
- My recurring dream involves being late for an important meeting in my pajamas
- My most embarrassing story is accidentally sending a love letter to the wrong person in middle school
- I got locked out of my hotel room in just a towel during a business trip
Fun facts examples
Here are some specific examples of fun facts based on job industry:
Tech and IT
- I built my first computer at age 12
- I've contributed to open-source projects that have over 10,000 stars on GitHub
- I once debugged a critical system while on a 14-hour flight with limited internet
Creative and marketing
- My personal blog has over 100,000 monthly readers
- I've designed logos for three Fortune 500 companies
- I once ran a viral social media campaign that reached 2 million people in 24 hours
Finance and business
- I've successfully predicted major market trends in my personal investment portfolio for the past five years
- I started a small business in college that paid for my entire tuition
- I've read every shareholder letter written by Warren Buffett
Healthcare and sciences
- I've published research in a peer-reviewed journal
- I've volunteered in medical camps in five developing countries
- I maintain a personal lab where I conduct biology experiments in my free time
Tailoring fun facts for different job search scenarios
Tailoring your fun facts to align with specific job opportunities can enhance your application and help you stand out. Below are a few ways to craft relevant and impactful fun facts for various job search scenarios.
Benefits of including fun facts in your resume
Incorporating fun facts into your resume can add a unique touch that sets you apart from other candidates. Although not recommended if the fact isn't 100% relevant to the job, here's how to integrate them to showcase your personality and skills when appropriate.
Where to put fun facts on your resume
Adding a splash of personality to your resume can make it stand out. Especially if you have limited work experience, consider including an "Interests" section at the bottom to help showcase how your skills align with the role (and to lighten up the tone if you're in an industry or career that would value less formality).
Teals Skills Management feature can help you customize a resume skills section to match any job description, spotlighting relevant facts and skills.
Examples of resume-friendly fun facts about me
- For an outdoor adventure company: Avid hiker who has summited the highest peaks in 10 different countries.
- For an educational nonprofit: Volunteer math tutor for underprivileged high school students.
- For an environmental consulting firm: Passionate about sustainable living and maintaining a zero-waste household.
How to incorporate fun facts in cover letters
Your cover letter offers a unique opportunity to inject more personality into your applications. Here's how you can incorporate a bit of character with fun facts:
Open with a fun fact
Kick off your cover letter with a fact that captures attention.
For example:
"Having launched three side businesses while holding a full-time job, I’ve mastered the art of time management and multitasking."
Weave fun facts into your story
Blend fun facts naturally into your narrative. When discussing problem-solving skills, you might say: "My knack for thinking outside the box, honed through competitive puzzle-solving (I completed a 5,000-piece jigsaw in under 24 hours), has been invaluable in my professional and personal life."
How to bring up fun facts during job interviews
Using fun facts during job interviews can make your responses more engaging and memorable. Here are the best situations to use them:
Responding to "Tell me about yourself"
This classic question is your chance to shine. After summarizing your professional background, add: "Outside work, I’m an avid rock climber. The problem-solving and risk assessment skills I’ve developed on the cliff face have surprisingly come in handy professionally, especially with complex projects."
Pro Tip: Not sure where to start? Teal's AI Professional Summary tool can help you create a narrative that ties fun facts to professional achievements.
Addressing specific interview questions with fun facts
When asked about strengths or experiences, incorporate a relevant fun fact.
For example, if discussing your ability to work under pressure, you might say:
"I thrive under pressure. I regularly participate in 24-hour hackathons, building functional prototypes from scratch in just one day. This experience has honed my ability to excel in high-pressure work situations."
The do's and don'ts of sharing fun facts
Now that you know when to use them and have some great examples, here's what to do—and what to avoid—when incorporating fun facts into your professional narrative.
Do: keep it relevant and professional
Tie your fun facts to the job, highlighting transferable skills. Applying for project management? Mention your annual charity run organization—hello, leadership and organizational prowess!
Don't: overshare or get too personal
Openness is great but skip the TMI. Stick to facts you’d comfortably share with a stranger—no cringe moments needed.
Do: practice your delivery
Rehearse until your fun facts roll off the tongue. Smooth delivery makes for seamless integration into conversations or interviews.
Don't: fabricate or exaggerate
Honesty is non-negotiable. Resist the urge to embellish; getting caught in a fib can sink your credibility fast.
Leveraging fun facts for personal branding
If you're going to leverage fun facts for personal branding, keep consistency across all platforms and applications. Include the same or similar themes of fun facts in your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and during interviews to create a cohesive and memorable narrative. This consistency reinforces your unique qualities and helps potential employers remember you.
Using fun facts in networking events
Networking events are one of the top use cases for fun facts. They’re perfect icebreakers and help forge memorable connections.
Evaluating the impact of fun facts
If you want to know how your fun facts land with others, you have to pay attention to how they react.
Gauge reactions: Watch for cues: leaning in, follow-up questions. If they’re curious, you’ve nailed it.
Follow up with related conversations: If a fun fact sparks interest, dive deeper. It could lead to a more engaging, memorable interview experience.
Adjust your approach based on feedback: Keep the winners; retire the duds. If a fun fact consistently charms, it’s a keeper. If it flops, time for an upgrade.
Overcoming challenges in sharing fun facts
When struggling to find fun facts, reflect on your unique experiences, achievements, and interests. Random fun facts that seem ordinary to you might be fascinating to others, so consider asking your best friend or family for their perspective.
If you're nervous about sharing personal details, practice your delivery and start with less personal facts to build confidence. Remember, the goal is to make a connection, not just to impress. If a fun fact doesn’t land well, smoothly shift back to professional topics. Not every fact will hit the mark, and that’s perfectly fine.
Beyond the job search: fun facts in your career
Incorporating fun facts into your professional life can enhance team dynamics, client relationships, and your personal brand. Here's how you can use them effectively.
Use fun facts to:
- Bond with new team members or lighten up meetings
- Build rapport with clients or stakeholders
- Boost your professional bio to make it more engaging and memorable
Crafting your fun fact strategy
Thoughtfully selecting and presenting intriguing tidbits about yourself can create memorable connections with employers, colleagues, and clients. Just make sure your fun facts are relevant, professional, and aligned with your personal brand to make the best impression.
If you're ready to put your fun facts to work in your job search, Teal's AI Resume Builder can help you seamlessly integrate these interesting details into your resume and cover letter, ensuring you make a strong first impression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good fun fact about yourself?
A good fun fact about yourself is one that highlights a unique aspect of your personality or experience relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a position in international business, mentioning that you’ve traveled to 30 countries and speak three languages can showcase your global perspective and adaptability.
What is interesting about me?
What’s interesting about you often ties to unique experiences, skills, or passions that align with the job you’re pursuing. For instance, if you’ve run marathons on every continent, it demonstrates commitment, perseverance, and a global mindset, which can be appealing to potential employers.
Can sharing fun facts backfire during a job interview?
Yes—while fun facts can help you connect with interviewers, ensure they’re appropriate and professional. Avoid controversial topics or overly personal details. Always gauge the interviewer’s reaction and adjust your approach if needed.
Is it appropriate to include fun facts in a formal resume?
Typically, fun facts aren’t included in the main body of a formal resume. However, you can add a brief “Interests” section at the end where you include a couple of intriguing facts about yourself, but only if they’re relevant to the job or highlight valuable, relevant skills.
How can I incorporate fun fact into a networking follow-up email?
In your follow-up email, you can briefly mention a fun fact related to a topic you discussed during the meeting. For example, if you talked about travel and your love for photography, you could add: "It was great discussing our travel experiences. I mentioned I’ve visited all seven continents before turning 30 and documented everything—I'd love to share pictures!"
