“Fun facts about me? Me?”

I know: answering questions like “what motivates you” or “tell me about yourself” is hard enough. Now, imagine spinning that up into a series of fun facts about yourself.

In my previous job, we would do a round of fun facts whenever someone new joined the team. People would share all sorts of interesting stories:

One had a non-traditional background in healthcare and made a career change to marketing.

Another one was self-taught in foreign languages and had studied a semester of Russian in college.

Another grew up in the countryside and had amazing stories from their hometown.

One of them even owned a pet parrot!

Listening to all of these stories, I always thought my fun facts weren't really that… fun. They were just facts.

Here's the thing, though: if you're struggling to find fun facts about yourself, it's probably because you are scooping up the more superficial anecdotes of your life. Things like where you were born, where you went to school, your first job, etc.

Unless one of these facts about yourself is truly unique (for example, you were born in another country, went to boarding school, or your first job was on a cruise), they will feel a little more ordinary.

You're probably just thinking about the stuff from the top of your head instead of taking the time to dig a little deeper!

The good news is, there are plenty of ways to discover fun facts about yourself. In this article, you'll find X ways to source quirky aspects of your life and personality that fit professional scenarios!

How To Answer “Fun Facts About Me”: Setting The Tone In The Professional Arena

Different situations call for different answers. When it comes to sharing personal stuff, I like to separate responses into two different categories:

Category #1: Interview

Let's be honest…sharing non-work-related facts about yourself while still in the workspace — especially during an interview — kind of seems like a curveball, right? At least that's what a few users on Reddit said in this forum.

The trick here is to keep things simple.  One user on the forum shared this awesome advice:

“Give a real answer that's a bit lighthearted but doesn't make them question your ability to do the job. “I can recite the alphabet backwards faster than most people can forward,” or “I collect vintage maps” are quirky without being dealbreakers. You'll encounter a lot of these curveball questions, and frankly, using something like interviews.chat can help you breeze through them. I'm on the team that made it.”

✅ Safe To Share:

If you're still struggling, here are a few ideas that are safe to share during an interview:

• Hobbies: Are there any different hobbies that you enjoy — like arts and crafts, collectables, building models?
• Sports: Do you practice any sports? Maybe you could share your proudest milestone!
• Volunteering: Do you volunteer at any local facilities? Is there anything you would like to share from this experience?
• Geographic Curiosities: Are there any abilities you acquired based on the location you grew up in? It could be as simple as parallel parking in tight spaces in under 30 seconds because you grew up in a big city!

For example: If it were me, I'd share that I learned how to drive a stick shift at 17, because that's a requirement in my home country to take a driver's license!

❌ Things To Avoid:

While fun facts are meant to be lighthearted, there are a few topics that could easily backfire in a professional setting. Here's what we recommend steering clear of:

• Controversial Topics: Avoid facts related to politics, religion, or hot-button social issues. Even if well-intentioned, these topics can make others uncomfortable or spark unnecessary debates.
• Overly Personal Details: Stay away from sharing facts about your dating life, financial situation, family drama, or health issues. These can feel too intimate for a professional space and might blur the line between personal and professional boundaries.
• Self-Deprecating Humor: While a little humility is charming, avoid framing yourself as lazy, clumsy, or lacking skills relevant to the job. Saying something like “I'm really bad at taking directions” might seem innocent, but it can be seen as a red flag.
• Anything That Could Raise Concerns About Professionalism: Facts that involve excessive partying, risky behavior, or illegal activities are a definite no-go. Even if you think it's funny that you once “crashed a wedding for fun,” it might raise serious questions about your judgment.

Category #2: Onboarding Meetings

First time meeting the team? This situation can call for more casual fun facts. Of course, you can still use the same framework for interviews, but it's also okay if you want to loosen up a little bit and bring something slightly more interesting to spark some interest.

✅ Safe To Share:

Onboarding meetings are meant to help break the ice, so feel free to show a bit more personality. Here are a few safe topics that can help you connect with your new team without going overboard:

• Hidden Talents: Do you have any surprising skills that usually catch people off guard? Things like juggling, playing an unusual instrument, or speaking a rare language can be great conversation starters.
• Pop Culture Interests: Are you a huge fan of a particular movie franchise, TV show, or video game? Sharing your enthusiasm for Star Wars marathons, true crime podcasts, or retro gaming shows your human side and might even help you find common ground with colleagues.
• Travel Stories: Have you ever been on a memorable trip or experienced something unusual while traveling? Sharing light-hearted stories like getting lost in Tokyo’s subway or attending a quirky local festival can be both relatable and engaging.

Sometimes you don't even realize how your talents, interests, or stories sound to others. What seems like something ordinary can often surprise people. For example, during a casual conversation with a few colleagues, I once mentioned I used to have singing lessons, and my group sang acapella at the Christmas performance. I honestly didn't think it was a big deal, but people loved the information when they heard it!

❌ Things To Avoid:

Even though onboarding meetings are more relaxed, some topics are still best left out. Here's what you should avoid to keep things friendly and professional:

• Negative Work-Related Experiences: Onboarding is not the time to vent about former employers, toxic work cultures, or why your last job made you miserable. Focus on positive, lighthearted facts instead.
• Overly Personal Life Struggles: While bonding is great, avoid diving into topics like recent breakups, financial hardships, or personal health issues. These can make others feel awkward and aren’t the right kind of “fun fact” for a first impression.
• Anything Too “Out There”: Sure, fun facts should be interesting, but there's a fine line between quirky and eyebrow-raising. Facts about extreme hobbies (think: base jumping, sword swallowing) or unconventional beliefs might not land well in a professional setting. Save those for happy hour further along.
• Inside Jokes or Niche References: Steer clear of jokes or references that require very specific knowledge to understand. If your fun fact needs a 5-minute explanation, it’s probably not the best fit for an onboarding meeting.
• Overly Braggy Achievements: Confidence is good, but try not to turn your fun fact into a humblebrag. For example, casually mentioning that you “once gave a TEDx talk at 21” or “have 200K followers on Instagram” can come off as show-offy in the wrong context. Save the impressive accolades for when they’re relevant to the conversation.

How To Find Fun Facts About Yourself (Even If You Think You Don’t Have Any)

If you’re stuck staring at a blank page thinking, “I’m just not that interesting,” don’t worry. Most people feel that way at first.

The truth is, fun facts aren’t always big moments. Sometimes they’re small, quirky things that others find fascinating simply because they’re different from their own experiences.

Here are a few ways to dig up fun facts about yourself:

1. Ask a Friend What They Find Surprising About You

We tend to overlook things that are normal to us but unusual to others. A quick way to uncover fun facts is to ask a friend: “What’s something about me you think people would find interesting or unexpected?”

For example, maybe they’ll remind you that you eat avocado with sugar (because that’s how your family does it) or that you can name all the Oscar Best Picture winners since 2000. Both are great “fun facts” material.

2. Think About ‘Firsts’ and ‘Onlys’ in Your Life

Fun facts often come from unique experiences. Ask yourself:

• What’s something I’ve done that most people haven’t?
• Was I ever the “only one” doing something?

Maybe you were the only kid in my school who learned sign language, or the first in your family to run a half-marathon. Those are both good examples of fun facts!

3. Share Niche Knowledge or Unusual Interests

Do you have a hobby or area of knowledge that isn’t mainstream? These can make for great fun facts.

Maybe you know how to identify different bird species by their calls.

Or you’re a pro at solving Rubik’s cubes in under 2 minutes.

Even if it feels random, people love hearing about skills or topics they’re not familiar with.

4. Reflect on Childhood Habits and Quirks

Childhood memories can be a goldmine for fun facts. Think about things you used to do as a kid:

• Did you build entire cities out of Legos?
• Were you part of a chess club or a spelling bee champion?
• Did you collect unusual things like bottle caps or keychains?

These anecdotes are often charming and relatable.

5. Think About Skills You Learned “Just Because”

Sometimes we pick up skills for no practical reason at all — and those make for fun stories.

Maybe you learned how to say “cheers” in 10 different languages, or you can do a spot-on impression of a movie character.

These are great icebreakers that show your personality without being too serious.

Final Note: Fun Facts Are Meant to Start Conversations, Not Steal the Spotlight

At the end of the day, sharing a fun fact about yourself isn’t about being the most interesting person in the room. It’s about making a genuine connection.
Most people aren’t professional skydivers, viral influencers, or former child actors. And that’s okay.

What really matters is how you present your stories. Even simple facts can become memorable when shared with authenticity.

If you take a moment to reflect, ask around, and think beyond the obvious, you’ll be surprised by how many “fun facts” you actually have in your back pocket.

Want To Master The Rest Of Your Interview Answers, Too?

Fun facts are just one piece of the puzzle. If you want to walk into your next interview feeling 100% prepared, check out our Interview Preparation System.

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Good luck!