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What Are Interests and Why Do They Matter?

Interests show what energizes you at work. Use them to shape meaningful goals, sustain motivation, and grow in ways that stick.

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Written by Product
Updated today

What Are Interests?

In Wonderlic Develop, Interests reflect the types of work you’re naturally drawn to - the tasks or environments that feel engaging, fulfilling, and energizing.

They don’t measure how good you are at something.

They show what you enjoy doing and are more likely to find sustainable over time.


Why Interests Matter

When your work aligns with your interests, you’re more likely to:

  • Stay motivated and focused

  • Feel a greater sense of purpose

  • Build lasting strengths in those areas

When there’s a mismatch, even if you’re capable, the work might feel draining or unrewarding.

Example: Someone with a high interest in “Supportive Work” might thrive in mentoring or service-oriented tasks - even if that’s not their current role focus.


Using Interests in Your Development

You can use your Interests to:

  • Shape goals in ways that feel meaningful and energizing

  • Balance high-effort behaviors with areas that feel more natural

  • Explore new ways to contribute to your team or organization

Goal Example: If “Creative Work” is a high interest and “Organization & Planning” is a Most Effort trait, you might set a goal like: “Use creative visual tools to plan projects and reduce overwhelm.”

This leverages what you enjoy to support what takes more effort.


Interests Are a Guide - Not a Limit

A low interest doesn’t mean you can’t do the work - just that it may take more energy.

Use that knowledge to plan breaks, seek support, or balance your workload.


What to Do Next

  • Reflect on your highest Interest areas - are you using them day to day?

  • Use Interests as a lens for setting goals in the Action Planner

  • Talk with your manager or coach about how to align tasks with what energizes you

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