How you spend your free time, as long as you’re not breaking the law, generally shouldn’t factor into your chances of landing a job. Yet a story that recently went viral on Reddit proved that for some employers, what you do after clocking out matters more than most people would expect. The post sparked a massive wave of reactions online, with thousands of users weighing in on what many called an outdated and unfair hiring practice. The debate it ignited touches on something a lot of job seekers quietly worry about but rarely talk about openly.
The story was shared on the Reddit community r/antiwork, a group described as a space where people can learn about their workplace rights and exchange experiences from their professional lives. A user posted that their boss had just finished interviewing a candidate for an open position and ultimately decided not to move forward with her. The reason had nothing to do with her qualifications, experience, or work ethic. The boss simply did not approve of what she did in her spare time, which was playing video games.
“My boss says he wants a well-rounded person, not someone who plays games as soon as they get home from work,” the user wrote, making clear they personally found the reasoning inappropriate and overreaching. The poster added their own take on the matter: “What someone does in their free time should not be discussed or judged in the workplace.” The comment section erupted almost immediately, with users from all walks of life sharing their own frustrations about similar biases they had encountered during job interviews.
Many people in the thread admitted that they deliberately leave gaming out of their answers when asked about hobbies during interviews, out of fear of exactly this kind of judgment. Instead, they strategically mention other pastimes they believe will be better received. “That’s why my answers are always playing music and camping, even though I spend most of my free time gaming,” one commenter wrote. “This is outdated thinking, and I guarantee that boss spends most of his free time watching TV. I swear interviews are just about who can lie better,” they added. Another user echoed the sentiment, writing that they would lead with other hobbies first: “I bowl, swim, and bake. People judge others’ hobbies too harshly, especially if they’re not acceptable to the boomer generation.”
Career advisor Angela Copeland weighed in on the broader dynamic at play here, explaining that the strategic presentation of hobbies during job interviews is a real consideration. “It’s best if your hobbies are something the interviewer can relate to or appreciate,” Copeland said, advising that if you are unsure, keeping it general, like mentioning reading, and being prepared to discuss a book, is usually a safe choice. This kind of advice points to an uncomfortable reality: job seekers are often encouraged to curate a version of themselves for employers rather than simply show up as they are.
Not everyone in the thread agreed that the candidate had been treated unfairly in the grand scheme of things. Some users pointed out that finding the right workplace culture fit goes both ways, and that being rejected from a job where the boss holds those kinds of views might ultimately be a blessing in disguise. “In my office, they would have hired her on the spot just to have another gamer to talk to,” one user noted, highlighting how dramatically company cultures can differ. Another commenter wrapped up the discussion with a silver-lining perspective: “Honestly, that girl dodged a bullet and I hope she finds a workplace full of gamers she can connect with.”
The question of whether hobbies should influence hiring decisions is part of a much larger conversation about workplace culture and the boundaries between professional and personal life. Video gaming, in particular, has long carried a stigma in certain circles despite being one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. According to the Entertainment Software Association, over 190 million Americans play video games, and the average age of a gamer in the United States is around 31 years old. The idea that gaming is a niche or unproductive activity is increasingly out of step with reality, as the industry generates more revenue annually than both the film and music industries combined. Research has also shown that gaming can improve cognitive skills such as problem-solving, multitasking, and even teamwork, qualities that are highly valued in most professional environments. Despite all of this, biases in hiring persist, and many qualified candidates still feel pressure to hide a completely legal and mainstream hobby just to avoid being written off before the conversation even begins.
Share your thoughts on whether employers should ever factor in a candidate’s hobbies when making hiring decisions in the comments.
