How To Answer “What Motivates You?” (With Examples): Job Interview Question

In today’s competitive job market, answering the question “What motivates you?” effectively is essential during interviews. This question provides hiring managers with valuable insight into your personal motivations and career aspirations, which are often not conveyed in resumes or cover letters.

This article will guide you through crafting a compelling answer to the question “What motivates you?”, provide sample answers for various situations, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid when discussing your motivations.

Key Takeaways:

• When responding to this interview question, ensure your answer is concise, positive, and relevant to the job, emphasizing applicable skills and personality traits.

• Another effective approach is to share a brief overview of what motivates you, your career aspirations, and any support you require to achieve your goals.

• Avoid lengthy responses, negativity, and overly focusing on tangible rewards, as employers are more interested in your intrinsic motivations.

• This common interview question aims to reveal more about you as a person and a potential coworker, helping interviewers determine whether you’ll fit into the company culture.

How to Answer “What Motivates You?”

To effectively answer “What motivates you?”, start by reviewing the job description to identify any soft skills and key responsibilities that align with your experiences. Here’s a structured approach to formulating your response:

1. Read the job description. Before your interview, carefully examine the job description. Take note of the soft skills and main responsibilities needed for the role.

   While authenticity is important, a strong answer should demonstrate your attention to the specifics of the job. For example, if the position emphasizes independent work rather than teamwork, it’s best not to cite collaboration as a primary motivator.

2. Reflect on your past accomplishments. Consider your most significant professional achievements. Focus on experiences that brought you a sense of purpose or fulfillment rather than just external validation from awards or praise.

   These moments can help you articulate what truly drives your passion for your work.

3. Look back on your career journey. A brief overview of your journey in the field can provide meaningful context for your motivations. For instance, a mentor who inspired you or a pivotal experience that shaped your career path can be compelling.

4. Prepare a story. Contextualizing your motivations with a story makes your answer more memorable. Instead of saying you thrive on solving problems, describe a situation where you went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.

5. Link your motivation to the job. As you conclude your answer, tie your motivations back to the job you’re applying for. Highlight how your drivers align with the role’s requirements and the company’s goals.

What Motivates You? Sample Answers

Here are sample answers tailored to different scenarios to help you prepare for this common interview question:

1. Past results and new challenges example answer

   I am motivated by my past achievements and the pursuit of continuous improvement. I set a goal to acquire at least one new certification each year. Embracing new challenges fuels my desire for growth and resilience. For instance, after obtaining a Google Analytics certification last year, I implemented optimizations on our site that significantly improved our performance.

   What excites me about this role is the opportunity to engage with diverse clients and departments. I thrive in dynamic environments that encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and expand my expertise.

2. Deadlines example answer

   Working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment has always been a key motivator for me. In my previous role as an editor, I successfully managed over 40 articles weekly while leading a team of writers. My passion for organization and planning enabled me to create efficient tracking systems that helped me exceed all my performance metrics.

   This experience has positioned me to thrive in a publication like yours, where deadlines and quality are paramount.

3. Solving problems example answer

   My motivation stems from meeting new people and solving challenges. Customer service aligns perfectly with my inclinations. From my early retail days, I found joy in ensuring customers had positive experiences.

   As a customer success manager on a web development team, I faced more complex challenges, which only intensified my motivation. Achieving 98% positive customer feedback last year was a significant milestone for me, generating over $200,000 in new revenue for my company.

   ABC Corp.’s reputation for exceptional customer service is well-known, and I would be thrilled to further develop my skills in this environment.

4. Motivation for applying for this job example answer

   I am motivated to apply for this position because I admire your company’s commitment to making a positive impact in the marketing industry. Marketing has always been my passion, and being part of a team that contributes to its evolution excites me.

   This role aligns perfectly with my skill set, allowing me to utilize my strengths effectively. I was particularly drawn to the emphasis on attention to detail and communication skills in the job description, which are areas in which I excel and have been recognized previously.

   Ultimately, my motivation for applying stems from my belief that my skills and dedication to marketing would make me a valuable addition to your team.

5. What motivates you regarding your career progression example answer

   Continuous learning is one of my primary motivators in my career journey. I am dedicated to staying informed about industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies. I believe that ongoing education and skill development are vital for professional growth and adaptability.

   I actively seek opportunities to attend workshops, conferences, and online courses to stay current. Additionally, I collaborate with experienced colleagues to broaden my expertise and gain new perspectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering

When responding to “What motivates you?”, steer clear of rambling, negativity, and excessive self-focus. Here’s a detailed list of common mistakes to avoid:

• Rambling. Your response should be clear and concise. Stick to key points and avoid lengthy autobiographical narratives.

• Being negative. Avoid negativity in your motivations. Your answer should reflect what you enjoy about your work rather than what you want to escape from.

• Being too self-focused. While it’s natural to center on your motivations, ensure you connect them back to the job in question.

Tips for Answering “What Motivates You?”

Your answer should be relevant to the position you are applying for, supported by examples. Here are additional tips for answering this interview question:

1. Keep your answer relevant. Interviewers ask questions for specific reasons; ensure your motivation aligns with the position. For example, in a non-profit role, emphasize the fulfillment of helping others. In a sales position, focus on the satisfaction of meeting targets.

2. Be prepared with supporting examples. Demonstrate your suitability for the job by preparing real-life examples that illustrate how your motivations have driven your success in relevant areas. Although this isn’t a behavioral interview question, you can still apply the STAR method to showcase past experiences.

3. Infuse your personality. Sharing hobbies can help paint a picture of you as an individual, but relate them to professional experiences. For instance, if you enjoy strategy games, discuss how they reflect your problem-solving skills.

4. Be specific. Avoid vague responses. Discuss particular aspects of your job that motivate you, provide examples, and relate them back to the job description when appropriate.

5. Consider how your answer reflects on you as a coworker. Interviewers want to understand what you’ll be like as both an employee and a colleague. Hiring decisions are often based on how well candidates will fit into the team.

6. Be mindful of variations of this question. Interviewers may not ask “What motivates you?” directly but might phrase it differently, such as:

   • “What makes you, you?”

   • “What makes you tick?”

   • “What are you passionate about?”

   The insights shared in this article are applicable to these variations as well.

“What Motivates You?” Interview Question FAQ

1. What are the top three motivators at work?

   The top three motivators in the workplace are recognition, compensation and benefits, and company culture. Being acknowledged by managers for your contributions can enhance your motivation. While compensation is important, an imbalance can lead to decreased productivity. A positive company culture fosters a sense of belonging and promotes teamwork and productivity.

2. What is the benefit of being motivated at work?

   Being motivated at work enhances creativity and innovation. Motivated employees are more likely to overcome obstacles and devise creative solutions to challenges.

3. What is one way to be more motivated at work?

   Creating small, achievable goals can boost motivation. Breaking a large project into smaller tasks makes it more manageable and allows you to track progress, whether through to-do lists or project milestones.

4. What is an example answer to motivation-related questions?

   An example response might be your eagerness to learn new things. Expressing a desire to enhance your skills indicates motivation and a long-term commitment to the company.

5. How do you get more motivation?

   Setting engaging goals and sharing them with others can increase motivation. Dividing your goals into smaller, manageable steps and tracking your progress can also foster motivation. Consider implementing a reward system to reinforce your achievements.

Final Thoughts

Answering common interview questions doesn’t have to be daunting. With some self-reflection and preparation, you can craft a compelling response to “What motivates you?” It’s not just about securing a job; understanding your motivations is also crucial for defining your career aspirations. By identifying your strengths and reflecting on your past accomplishments, you’ll be on your way to a more fulfilling career.

References

1. Harvard Extension School – How to Ace an Interview

Author

David Luther

David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.