The dreaded "fun facts about me" question + 80 examples for inspiration

“Can you share a fun fact about yourself?”

Your mind goes completely blank. You’re not a boring person—not by a long shot. And yet, you cannot think of a single thing that makes you unique. You look around the room, hoping for some divine inspiration, but nothing strikes. You’re quite literally at a loss for words. 

Yes, answering the “fun facts about me” question can be nerve-racking. It’s one of the worst questions, especially if you happen to be an introvert. You want the person asking to like you but you also need to showcase your professional side. If you’re wondering how to get it right, we have the answers. In the following guide, we will cover: 

• 80 fun fact examples that you can use for inspiration
• An explanation of what type of facts you should be sharing
• How to answer the “3 interesting facts about me” question
• Expert tips you can use when thinking up an answer

Hobby-related fun fact examples

The “fun facts about me” question can be tough. You’re a multifaceted being and, chances are, there are countless facts about you. Focusing on your hobbies and interests is one way to go. Avoid any NSFW hobbies and stick to wholesome anecdotes, such as: 

1. I love crocheting and recently completed a large blanket
2. In my spare time, I take scuba diving lessons
3. I’m a self-confessed Swiftie and know every lyric all too well
4. I read at least one new book every week
5. I’m currently learning how to walk a tightrope
6. Cooking is my passion and I make a delicious chicken curry
7. I’ve watched all of the Marvel movies—yes, all of them
8. I love climbing and recently went to Yosemite
9. I once won an award for the “best swimmer” at camp
10. I love photography and always have a camera in my bag

Fun fact examples about your preferences 

Flashback to the playground and you introduced yourself by telling other kids what your favorite color was. Take the same approach now and let people know what it is that you love. Pick a subject—basically any subject—and explain what you like the best, as follows: 

1. My favorite book is “Little Women” because…
2. My favorite food is Hawaiian pizza
3. My favorite music is country (and I play in a band!)
4. I prefer sweet treats to savory meals
5. My favorite TV show is Stranger Things
6. My favorite band is the Dresden Dolls
7. My favorite snack is banana and peanut butter power balls
8. My cocktail order is always an espresso martini
9. My favorite podcast is Serial. I am totally addicted to it
10. My favorite time of year is fall—hello, Spook-tober!

Fun fact examples about recent events 

What have you been up to lately? When it comes to the “fun facts about me” question, reflect on what you’ve just done. This approach gives people an insight into who you are, what you’re into, and how you spend your free time. Here are some prime examples: 

1. The last song I listened to on Spotify was Nonsense by Sabrina Carpenter
2. The last vacation I went on was my honeymoon. We went to Paris for a week!
3. The last call I made was to my mom asking her what she wanted for Christmas
4. The last text I sent was to my best friend to tell her that she would ace her interview
5. The last book I read was One Day by David Nicholls
6. The last train I booked was to see my boyfriend in Colorado
7. The last meal I made was a vegetarian chili for my neighbors
8. The last time I laughed until I cried was when I saw Katherine Ryan live
9. The last podcast I listened to was Search Engine
10. The last time I was proud was at my daughter’s graduation

Career-centric fun fact examples

Don’t forget where you are—at work. You might not want to share a personal fun fact about yourself with your colleagues. That’s perfectly okay. Use a career-based answer, like these: 

1. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a firefighter
2. My first ever job was working in a hair salon, sweeping up hair!
3. The worst job I ever had was working at a butcher shop
4. I’m a marketing nerd and attend conferences at the weekend
5. Before I became a nurse, I was a freelance writer
6. I was with my previous company for more than a decade
7. I once worked on a cruise ship as a dancer
8. I landed my first job by sending the CEO a random email
9. My favorite thing about working as a carer is chatting to older people
10. I was the “Social Secretary” at my old workplace

Quirky fun fact examples 

Connecting with your new coworkers or the hiring manager can be tricky. Sharing a quirky fact about yourself may get the conversation following. Here are some examples:

1. I can’t ride a bike (yet!) but I plan to learn this year
2. When I was small, I had a pet iguana called Susan
3. My secret talent is that I can do a backflip
4. My most prized possession is my lucky crystal
5. I once won a hot dog-eating competition
6. Cameron Diaz is my second cousin, twice removed
7. I once learned sign language just to chat up a guy at college
8. I still watch the Rugrats…even though I’m 37
9. I have been to every continent in the world
10. I met my husband when we were both skydiving for charity

Fun fact examples of your close calls

What was your “Sliding Doors” moment? How could your life have gone differently? We’ve all had close calls in the past and they can make for interesting conversation starters. If you’re not sure what we mean, take a look at some of the fun fact examples below: 

1. My parents almost called me Petal but changed their mind!
2. I was almost hired to be a back-up dancer for Britney Spears
3. When I was a teenager, I almost got into Harvard (but not quite!)
4. I almost lost a toe while hiking last year—ask me how later
5. I almost went into law but decided to do marketing at the last minute

Fun fact examples about sports 

Sports have the power to bring people together. If you’re looking to bond with your new coworkers, reveal where your allegiances lie. Here are some examples of what we mean:  

1. I have never—and will never—watch the Super Bowl
2. I used to play hockey back in High School
3. I’m a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and once met Rowdy
4. I have never, ever missed a Red Sox game, like ever
5. I was my college mascot—Jimmy the Giraffe

Fun fact examples about special skills 

We all have unique talents that make us special. So, it begs the question, what are yours? Consider what skills you have that people may not expect. Here are some quick examples: 

1. I am half-Japanese and fluent in the language
2. I can sleep standing up….don’t ask how I figured it out
3. I can memorize entire pages of text in under a minute
4. I have no problem eating super hot chilies
5. I once took a ventriloquism course and have a puppet at home

Fun fact examples about animals 

Are you an animal lover? You’re not alone. 66% of US households currently own a pet. Sharing a fun fact about your pet, an animal encounter, or a fear that you have may be the way to go. Here are examples of an animal-based fun fact about yourself: 

1. I love horse riding and help out at the local stables
2. I have four cats and each one is named after a member of the Beatles
3. I’m afraid of snakes… even the word makes me shiver
4. I am also a qualified dog trainer, groomer, and walker
5. The scariest animal I ever saw in real life was a crocodile

Fun fact examples about your childhood 

Your childhood shaped the person that you are today. When answering the “fun facts about me” question, take a trip down memory lane. Let’s take a look at some examples below: 

1. I still believed in Santa Claus until I was in High School
2. When I was a kid, my dad helped me build a treehouse from scratch
3. When I was a teenager, I collected 3,000+ comic books
4. When I was small, I was convinced my dad was a spy
5. My favorite childhood vacation was a trip to Disneyland

“3 Interesting facts about me” examples 

Sometimes, this question will be posed as a three-parter. If that is the case, you need to pick three facts that showcase your interests and personality. These don’t always have to be related. However, as you can see below, you can link a couple of them to paint a picture: 

1. I can play the clarinet. I love reading. And I once saw a lion in the wild.
2. I’m a Gemini. I don’t believe in star signs. And I am passionate about Italian food.
3. I met my wife at a salsa night. I have two left feet. And I don’t like mushrooms.
4. I’m obsessed with collecting figurines. I have twin boys. And I drink too much coffee.
5. I have an Etsy store selling art. I was once in a band. And I am an SEO pro.

Expert tips for answering this question 

Now that we’ve shared some effective “fun facts about me” examples, let’s talk about how to get it right. There are some key tips you need to keep in mind when answering this question: 

• Don’t get too personal. This question is a chance to open up, but you don’t want to go too far. Avoid sharing anything that will make you cringe at the thought later.
• Make people laugh. Want to bond with people? Try making them laugh. Consider a light-hearted fun fact about yourself that will give them the giggles.
• Paint yourself in a good light. Does the fact make you look bad? If so, you might not want to share it in a professional setting. Be selective here.
• Keep it short and sweet. Spoiler: Nobody has time to listen to you recite a memoir. When you are asked this question, be sure to keep your answer concise.

Key takeaways 

• The “fun facts about me” question can be hard. However, with some pre-planning, you can answer it like an absolute pro.
• Choose an approach that showcases your personality. You may want to talk about your hobbies, pets, likes and dislikes, or special skills.
• Don’t share anything that is too personal or will make you look bad.
• Use our 80 example answers for inspiration when you’re planning yours!