21 Fun Facts About Yourself Worth Sharing at a Networking Event

“So tell me, what makes you unique?” “Tell me something that I don’t already know about you.” “Outside of work, who are you?” “Tell me a fun fact about yourself!”

Whether you’re in the job interview process, a networking event or meeting your new coworkers, you’re probably going to be asked to state a fun fact about yourself. If you’re like most people though, coming up with such a fact on the spot can be tricky, to say the least. 

And saying something like, “I like Taylor Swift,” while it may be true, doesn’t really offer much insight as to the unique individual you are. So what should you say to make you memorable and approachable? 

Try answering the following 21 questions. Once you do so, you’ll have 21 fun facts about yourself in your holster, ready for use whenever you need!

1. Who was your role model growing up?

Was one of your parents your hero? An older sibling? Perhaps a teacher or someone on television? Tell someone who your role model was growing up, and don’t forget to explain why. This will show your interviewer, coworkers or any other professional what you value in others — and what values you hope to instill in yourself.

2. What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Did your friends somehow convince you to go skydiving despite your fear of heights? Go bungee jumping? Everyone has something they’re scared of. Tell people your experience pushing through one of these fears!

3. What’s your most embarrassing moment?

This might not be the most fun thing to tell. But on the bright side, everyone has embarrassing moments. Sharing yours does nothing but humanize you, and you may get to hear someone else’s embarrassing moments in return — which can make for better connections and harmonious working in the long run. 

4. What’s your favorite memory from school?

Did you beat the school jock in a P.E. game? Take a band trip across the country? Talk about the best moment from your school experience. This is also a great segue to talking about something you studied or a formative experience you had at school.

5. Have you ever met a celebrity?

Did you meet a celebrity at a concert or red carpet? Perhaps you went to school with a future celebrity? Give a story about your encounters with celebs; and please, spare no details.

6. What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

Take all of your savings to start a business? Take a trip abroad without a clue as to where you were going to lodge? Spill about the time you did something without the faintest idea of how it would turn out. Don’t be afraid to talk about the failures — showing how you’ve grown from your mistakes shows a lot about your character!

7. Have you ever been in the right place at the right time?

Did you have an amazing experience that you never would’ve if you did one thing differently that day? Do tell!

8. Have you ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time?

On the flipside of question seven, have you ever experienced something you wish you didn’t, and wouldn’t have if you happened to make just one different decision that day? Tell the story.

9. What’s your favorite childhood memory?

What’s the one thing from your childhood that you always smile or laugh about when thinking of it? Why is it special to you?

10. Do you have a lot of knowledge about a random thing?

Are you one of the few who knows how glitter is made? Do you contain knowledge that would make MacGyver jealous? Bestow the knowledge that no one else would know (except, perhaps the internet). You may share a skill that can help you land the role or make your next great work connection!

11. What’s on your bucket list?

Everyone has a few things they'd like to do before the end of their life. Talk about your deepest desires; you never know, you may be speaking to someone who can help you out with one of them. Even if they can’t, this shows you’re aspirational and determined to achieve your goals!

12. Do you have any hidden talents?

Can you talk like Elmo? Do a backflip? What can you do that no one would expect just by looking at you? Like question 10, this one may reveal a skill that can help you land the role.

13. What’s your dream job?

A travel writer? Hollywood actress? Small bookstore owner in Italy? Tell us what you would be if you could be anything. Bonus points if you show how this dream job relates to the career path you’re on now or what you’re looking for next.

14. What’s your guilty pleasure?

? Can’t stop watching the food channel? Secretly love horseback riding? Everyone has at least one guilty pleasure — talk about yours.

15. What food would you never get tired of eating?

Could you have jambalaya for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the year? Shortbread cookies tickle your fancy? Share that which your tastebuds constantly crave. Bonus points if it’s something you’ll offer to bring and share at work.

16. What’s your favorite place you’ve been?

A small bookstore in the middle of nowhere? The Parthenon in Athens, Greece? Tell us where you’ve been that you always want to return to.

17. Where have you always wanted to go but never have?

Always wanted to go to Tokyo? Or maybe visit China and see their Great Wall? Tell us the place you can’t stop dreaming about visiting.

18. What was your weirdest phase in life?

Undergo a goth phase? Maybe you couldn’t listen to any music that didn’t contain a harp for a few months...or years? Please, do tell!

19. What’s your biggest fear?

Afraid of a shark attack? Or maybe of pulling a Will Smith and bungee jumping into the Grand Canyon? Everyone has at least one major fear. 

20. What’s your favorite hobby?

Do you write on a daily basis? Always make time to go hiking every week? People love to talk about how they spend their free time; it's a great question to ask when you want to move things away from work talk. 

21. Who/what was your greatest influence growing up?

Did your parents have the greatest influence on the person you are? Or maybe television show or 80s/90s rap took that title? Tell us who played the biggest role in making you the unique you that you are!

Last word

Though they’re not always the most comfortable thing to say, sharing fun facts about yourself is a great way to get to know people better. Sharing a good fun fact about yourself can exhibit your personality and passion, give context as to why you act as you do and more that can help endear other individuals to you. Further, your sharing about yourself may prompt others to tell more about themselves and therein help foster a deeper relationship that much quicker — and make it easier to connect on work topics if you can connect on non-work ones, too. When it’s all said and done, there’s a lot of pros to sharing fun facts about yourself. So don’t be afraid to do so!

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This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.

J. P. Pressley is a writer, editor and social media expert with a passion for creative storytelling and entrepreneurship and experience in the entertainment and business sectors. He earned an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in fiction from Lindenwood University.

What’s your no. 1 fun fact you like to share at work? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!