What motivates you in your job

What motivates you at work? How to answer this interview question

It’s impossible to predict every question you’ll be asked in a graduate job interview; but there are some common interview questions which will almost certainly feature.

Graduate job interview questions range from the straightforward, such as ‘Describe yourself in 3 words’, to the more open-ended, like ‘Tell me about yourself’ and ‘Why should we hire you?’ Check out our complete guide to Interview Questions.

Despite being one of the most common interview questions, ‘What motivates you at work?’ will often catch graduates off-guard; so it’s important to make sure you’re fully prepared to answer it.

To decide on the best way to answer this open-ended interview question, let’s look first of all at why employers might choose to ask it.

Scroll straight to the bottom of the page to see a quick, summary video of how to answer!

Why do employers ask what motivates you at work?

1. To learn more about your personality

A potential employer will be looking to learn more about your personality, and gain insight into what you value most. As interview questions go, this one will help employers to understand what really drives you, and what kind of employee you would be if they were to hire you.

2. To determine whether you are a good fit for the role and the company

By asking you this question, the employer will be able to ascertain whether your sources of motivation and overall goals align with their own, the company’s, and the direction in which they see the role going. This will help them decide whether you would be a good team and culture fit.

3. To assess your level of self-awareness

Prompting you to explain what motivates you at work is also a great way for a potential employer to gauge how well you know yourself, as well as your strengths and weaknesses. The answer you choose will reveal a lot about how you view yourself and your work; so it’s important to prepare an answer beforehand which relates to the role you are applying for.

What motivates you at work? Best example answers

Just like many other common interview questions, practicing your answer is key. When preparing your answer, think about what really does motivate you, and frame it in a way that demonstrates your interest in and commitment to this particular role. Examples might be:

What motivates you to do a good job? – more example answers

What to avoid when answering the question

— Using salary as your motivation at work

No employer wants to hear that you are only motivated by money, even if it is a key motivating factor. Instead of mentioning the salary, use this question to show how much you value other aspects of a job, and how committed you will be to the role. Find out other company perks you should consider.

— Discussing your long-term career goals

This is your opportunity to talk about what the factors that will motivate you in this role, not where you see your career going in the future or your long-term motivations. It is easy to go off on a tangent when answering interview questions, here’s some advice on how not to ramble in an interview.

— Saying that you aren’t sure what motivates you at work

A big no-no for any potential employer, saying you don’t know what motivates you in a job implies that you either have no motivation, or you didn’t take the time to prepare your answer.

Variations of the interview question ‘what motivates you at work?’

Summary ‘what motivates you at work’ video

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Other common job interview questions

Discover more Career Advice or check out the latest opportunities on our Graduate Jobs board.

How To Answer “What Motivates You?” (Interview Question)

Answering interview questions like, “what motivates you?” or “what motivates you at work?” can be tricky because they are such open-ended questions.

It’s not as difficult as it seems if you have the right method, though.

I’m going to walk you through a proven method you can use to give a great answer to explain what motivates you at work any time an interviewer asks.

Then we’ll look at multiple answer examples for “what motivates you”, so you can make sure you’re ready for your next interview.

Let’s get started…

First, Why Do They Ask This Interview Question?

There are a few reasons…

They want to get a sense of your personality and who you are as a person.

But more importantly, they want to see your resiliency, determination, etc. How you’ll handle challenges and setbacks (a tough project, or being asked to do something that isn’t quite on your job description, or having to work late, fill in for another team member, etc.)

And how you’ll handle it if the job is harder than you expected to learn and get started in. They definitely do not want to hire someone who will quit and waste their time.

So here are some guidelines when answering questions about what motivates you.

How to Answer “What Motivates You?” – Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:

You need to show them that you’re not just coming to work for the paycheck. Because that’ll put doubt in their mind about how you’ll respond when things get tough.

It doesn’t have to be some heartfelt story about how you grandmother had an illness and you dedicated your life to finding a cure, etc.

You can say you’re motivated by solving complex technical challenges (if you’re a software engineer, etc.)

You can say you love collaborating and accomplishing big things as a part of a team, and that’s what drives you to do your best each day (only say this if the job involves teamwork).

You can say you enjoy meaningful work… creating products that change people’s lives. But only say this if the company you’re interviewing with actually has products that change lives. If they’re selling payroll software, don’t say this.

Everything you say in the interview needs to be tailored to the company. You need to think about the job they’re offering and make sure your answers fit in with that, or they won’t hire you.

You can also talk about personal interests that tie in with the job. Maybe you’re a huge fan of playing guitar but didn’t become a professional. So you’re interviewing for jobs as a music producer. Or as a guitar designer. Or a guitar teacher, etc.

Another example of this: Maybe you were an athlete in high school and college, and this is what you’re passionate about. This is a great explanation for why you’re interviewing at any job related to athletics and what motivates you each day. This could be for a job as a personal trainer, coach, physical therapist, scout, or any other sports-related job.

Don’ts:

Let’s talk about what NOT to do now.

Don’t just talk about money. Everyone comes to work for a paycheck. The interviewer knows. If they’re asking you “what motivates you?” in an interview, they want to hear something besides money.

If you seem too money-focused in your interviews, it’s probably the reason you cant find a job. The only exception is jobs that pay commission, like sales jobs.

If you’re getting a paycheck every 10 working days, there are 9 other days when something else will need to keep you motivated. That’s what they care about.

Also don’t feel like you need to make up some impressive story. Tell the truth. It can be a simple, straight-forward answer.

Being dishonest is not a good idea with this interview question.

Example Answers for “What Motivates You”

Now let’s look at some word-for-word answer examples for “what motivates you?”…

Interviewer: “What motivates you to come to work each day?”

You:

“I like challenging myself and advancing on a personal level. That’s what attracted me to Sales to begin with. It’s personally challenging, it forced me to develop new skills that I never would have attempted on my own – like cold calling somebody or starting a conversation with a complete stranger. It’s changed my confidence level and my entire life, not just my career, and this continues to keep me motivated and get me through tough days, or days where things don’t go my way.”

Remember, never mention money in your answer here! If you don’t know why, go back and re-read the article. It’s one of the most important points mentioned.

And remember one of your big goals is to show them that you’ll work hard and “stick with it”, instead of quitting if things get tough. That’s why “What motivates you?” is such a common interview question.

If you look at the answer example above, you’ll see the end of the answer is focused on showing them that I’ll stick with the work when it gets tough. You should try to do the same.

One more example answer…

Interviewer: “What motivates you?”

You:

“I’ve watched multiple family members suffer through addiction, so after graduating with my degree in Psychology, I knew I wanted to work in addiction research and treatment. The impact this research can have is huge, and that keeps me motivated. Also, the field is always evolving and providing new challenges to keep me growing professionally. I love the work, and it’s what I want to continue doing throughout my career.”

Your Answer Can Get Personal, But Doesn’t Need to…

Those two example answers above got a bit personal. The first one mentions confidence and personal development goals, and the second one talks about addiction and family members.

You don’t need to get personal in your answer, though. It’s perfectly fine to say something like:

“I’ve always liked math and computers. I don’t have a personal reason, it’s just what I’m excited about doing. I can’t imagine doing something else with my career.”

So don’t feel pressure to lie or make up some personal reason when you answer “what motivates you?”

As a recruiter, I’ve spoken with a lot of GREAT job candidates who were simply motivated by one of the following:

Here’s one more sample answer for how to respond to this interview question without using any personal reasons:

“I’ve always found that I do my best work in a creative environment where I’m able to think openly, and I’ve found that working in graphic design allows me to use my creativity, which keeps me motivated and energized. At this point, I can’t imagine working in another field, and I don’t find it very difficult to come to work motivated each day, since this is what I want to be doing.”

Answering “What Motivates You” – Quick Instructions

If you follow the tips above you’ll be able to give a great answer when employers ask questions like, “what motivates you?”, “what motivates you to come to work each day?” etc.

Your answer to this question can be the difference between getting a job offer and getting rejected after the interview… so as a last step, remember to practice and get comfortable with the answer you’re going to give.

Hold Up! Before you go on an interview.

Get our free PDF with the top 30 interview questions and answers. Join 10,000+ job seekers in our email newsletter and we’ll send you the 30 must-know questions, plus our best insider tips for turning interviews into job offers.

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Answering «What Motivates You?» in a Job Interview

What motivates you? And what motivates you to want to succeed in this position? This interview question can throw off any job seeker. It’s a type of open-ended question because it asks the interviewer to consider their passions and how the job their interviewing for aligns with those.

Why are you looking for a job?

For money, of course!

Wrong. Money should not be the motivating factor in any job search. It’s a necessity, yes. It’s not the main reason why the interviewer is going to hire you.

Here’s how to answer this interview question, «What motivates you?»

Why this question?

Ensuring that an employee has a strong passion for the job is one of the best ways that a hiring manager can get great results from their hires. When they ask, «What motivates you?» They are looking to learn more about you.

What the hiring manager or interviewer wants to know is why you’re applying for the position.

And why certain parts of the job are appealing to you. This is where it’s important to have a firm understanding of the job description and what the job could offer you.

A hiring manager can determine whether the interviewer is genuinely interested in the company or if they are simply on a hunt for a new job through the answer of this question.

For example, someone who has a brief, less detailed answer that doesn’t align with the company mission or values can stick out very quickly.

Remember that hiring managers are consistently hearing about the CEO’s objectives and visions for the company. They are going to be very familiar with the mission.

And when an interviewer doesn’t come anywhere near those missions in terms of the alignment of their answer, it stands out.

Lastly, a manager asking interview questions like this one can get a general sense of your personality. And that can help to align you to the teams you might be part of. Or the job, in general.

To recap, here is what they want to know from this question:

How to answer «What motivates you?»

Here’s how to answer the interview question when the hiring manager asks, «What motivates you?»

1. Read the job description

The job description provides a wealth of information about the missions of the job itself. It defines what types of skills are necessary to succeed. And how the employee is going to interact with the rest of the company.

Inside the job description should be a healthy amount of information that can help you prepare.

For example, let’s look at a sample duties list.

Administrative Assistant Job Duties and Responsibilities

Inside this description we can see a few key points.

As a job applicant, we can see that this job opportunity provides the ability to learn new skills. Working closely with the executive staff could be a new skill. Or managing the office environment.

Compare your past work experience with this detail in the job description. And then gather what you can do well and what might be new that you’ll get exposed to.

2. Find the company mission

All companies are defined by their mission. It could be a mission to make a better customer experience for insurance. Or maybe to build technology for those in need.

The best way to find this mission is to go to the company «About us» page. And to read through recent news about the company.

Try to gather as much information as possible from the CEO’s press releases.

This information is going to be useful in this interview. And if this question is asked during the phone interview, the information is going to be useful in the next interview you might have to go on, too.

Make sure to find something related to the company mission that resonates with you. Don’t lie. Be honest.

3. Determine your pitch

Structuring an answer about your motivation from the job description and the company mission should be easy.

To do this, structure the answer as what you do well, what part of the company resonates with you, and what you’ll be able to learn from the job.

Here is a very simple example of that.

What you do well:

I’m very motivated by having the opportunity to work closely with passionate teams who are interested in impacting young children’s lives in a positive way.

The company mission:

That’s why the company is very attractive to me and my career path.

What you can learn:

From the job description, it looks like I’ll be exposed to the marketing efforts in a collaborative fashion. And I’ll have the opportunity to be part of the overall growth of the children’s department. Learning new things provides me a great sense of accomplishment and it’s what motivates me.

The complete answer:

I’m very motivated by having the opportunity to work closely with passionate teams who are interested in impacting young children’s lives in a positive way. That’s why the company is very attractive to me and my career path. From the job description, it looks like I’ll be exposed to the marketing efforts in a collaborative fashion. And I’ll have the opportunity to be part of the overall growth of the children’s department. Learning new things provides me a great sense of accomplishment and it’s what motivates me.

4. Prepare your answer

The best piece of advice is to prepare for this common interview question. Have a plan. Practice the delivery a few times in advance of any interview.

An ideal answer should take less than 90-seconds to recite. Long answers don’t sound as honest. And can indicate that you might lack required verbal communication skills.

Ask friends or family to hear your prepared response. Then, ask for their feedback. In addition, time yourself. Make sure the response is short, impactful, and targeted to the role.

What the best answers contain

The best answers contain motivation that are one or more of the following:

Employers will appreciate when the job applicant says that one of these things can motivate them to do a great job in the workplace.

In general, employers see these as a positive addition or beneficial addition to the team.

Tip: Intrinsic motivation refers to the psychological behavior of being driven by internal rewards versus an external reward. It can help us understand the difference as a job seeker to develop a good answer and reasoning to the interview question.

Adding in achievements

If you have strong examples of achievements, it can be beneficial to focus on those. Or at least make them part of the pitch. Here is an example of an answer that contains an achievement.

I’m highly motivated by working closely with children. Last year I had the opportunity to impact more than 30,000 children’s lives through the foundation I was part of. This role stuck out to me because it allows me to utilize my skills in child development while having a stronger opportunity to impact lives at a greater scale. This company has a potential reach for more than 1,000,000 children. I’m highly motivated by this. And it shows I could truly make a difference in the world by partnering with the teams here.

What to avoid when answering

Here’s what to avoid when you answer this question.

Money motivates me

This one should be obvious. While it might sound like an honest answer. And is very «real.» A paycheck is not going to make employers find you desirable.

Choose something that makes you sound appealing as a candidate.

Qualities and traits that show the employer you’re going to achieve success.

I work hard

Okay, great. Every other potential employee is willing to work hard, too. This is not a differentiating factor that interviewers want to hear.

They need to hear a response that shows you have a strong desire to work with the company. A deeper, slightly personal connection that is irreplaceable.

Lacking relevant experience

For job seekers who are changing industries or going back to work after a gap in their resume, this can be a challenging interview question.

Instead of focusing on relevant experience, focus on personal passions. And how those passions align with your career motivation.

Place a heavier emphasis on the company mission, in this case.

Example answers to the interview question, «What motivates you?»

Examples of answering this question in a job interview. Whenever reading sample answers, remember that they are simply guides to building an answer for yourself.

What’s your motivation to work here?

Assuming working at a software business:

I’m highly motivated by working in the insurance business. I started my career working in insurance. And I noticed just how incredibly inefficient it was. When I transitioned into a software engineer during my college career, I knew I wanted to stay part of insurance in some capacity.

There weren’t any opportunities for me when I left college. Instead, I decided to learn more about SCRUM and how software development environments work. This opportunity can provide me my dream, the chance to work inside insurance while utilizing my software engineering talents.

What motivates you in life?

Assuming working at a library:

Working with children is really important to me. When I started my career, I was a nanny. And then I became a family assistant. During that time, I had the chance to work with children with special needs. This was motivating to me because I always felt a strong ability to practice compassion.

This library prides itself on providing access to knowledge, books, media, and experiences for children of all ages and all abilities. For me, this is motivating because I have more resources to work with and a stronger chance to impact more lives on a local level.

What motivates you to succeed?

Working as a project manager:

I don’t think too many people are going to say that project management is their life passion. It’s the process we take in order to achieve success. It provides a framework to be able to execute and then impact the lives of others. For me, this company is one that stuck out to me.

The core values of collaboration, innovation, and being on the cutting edge of safety is something that attracts me. I’ve seen enough injuries on a job site that changed families’ lives. And that was not motivating.

I’m highly motivated to be part of a company that cares about its employees. And be able to be a leader that can embrace that and carry that forward on every job. That’s what motivates me.

How would you be motivated in this position?

Working in a management position:

To me, it motivates me to be able to assist others in making great decisions. I believe that great leaders need to have the ability to make great decisions three out of the four times they are asked. At this company, I’m very passionate about our core values.

Assisting merchants with the ability to amplify their business through the point of sale systems, marketing tools, and promotional opportunities.

What motivates me is the opportunity to provide direction, capacity, resources, and general guidance to great teams. And transfer the vision of the CEO throughout the business at all times.

Tips for Answering This Common Interview Question

Tips to answer, «What motivates you?»

1. Don’t let money into the picture. Even if money is truly a top motivator, be sure that the answer is not all about money or the paycheck. If it is, the interviewer may question the company’s loyalty if a better offer comes along or the job gets tough.

2. Personal reasons are okay. Don’t be afraid to offer a personal reason for what motivates you as a job seeker. Use good judgment with the examples and tie them to a professional goal. Making your children, spouse, or mentor proud of your hard work is an acceptable answer. Making your high school classmates jealous of your success— probably not.

3. Don’t tell lies. Don’t lie or make up an answer on the spot based on what the interviewer wants to hear. They will see through it immediately, and candidates will leave them with the impression that they’re disingenuous.

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How to answer the interview question “What motivates you?”

You know those days when you came home from work with a spring in your step and a smile on your face? Memories that you have long bottled and played over in your mind?

It is the collection of these moments that constitutes what motivates you at work.

When you are looking for a new job, this question is central to making the right choice for your future. You want to find the sort of role, workplace and boss where you can enjoy many such days. Your employer will also want you to feel this on a regular basis. Exploring your motivation is therefore a critical part of any interview.

In this article, we will consider how to answer “What motivates you?”

Prepare your answer in advance. There are certain interview questions that are guaranteed an appearance. “What motivates you?” is one of them and there is no excuse to answer off the cuff. This is your chance to explain why you turn up for work every day.

Why is your motivation important for an interviewer?

“Why are you here?”

They might not say it in as many words, but this thought will float around a hiring manager’s head for most of an interview. They want to know what makes you tick, why you will keep going when things get hard and how your motivations will rub off on those around you.

Are your motivations a fit for the demands of the job and is the company a place where you have the potential to thrive? The most capable employee can be miserable if the culture is not a fit with their personal outlook.

When they ask: “What motivates you?” they hope to hear an enthusiastic and passionate response that puts the role and the company at the center of their reasoning. If a candidate really understands why they are in that interview room, it is more likely that they will be retained for the long term if they are offered the role.

What motivates you

Talk about both personal and professional motivations. Many of us come to work because we enjoy certain aspects of the role and feel an affinity with the corporate culture. Workplace motivations are common and should be shared alongside more personal aspects of a candidate’s “why.” Motivation is complex – this isn’t a question for a short answer.

There are many motivations for wanting a new role, but which ones will serve you best in an interview? You can guarantee this question will come up and your answer should provide a solid foundation for the rest of the interview.

How to answer “What motivates you?”

Consider the following aspects of your motivation for a heartfelt answer:

Be honest

Every workplace is a broad church with people of varying motivations. The nature of your motivation is not that important – it is the depth of feeling that matters. Your future boss doesn’t really care why you come to work – they simply want to understand that you really want to be there. If you construct some invented motivation, you risk coming across as insincere. Be honest.

Think about what you love at work

Look back on your career and think about when you were genuinely happy at work. Not just content, but blissfully happy. Such self-reflection will shine a light on the tasks that you relish. Hearing about these “on the job” motivations will make any future employer sit up and pay attention. Reference the company culture.

Interviewing is stressful. Preparation and practice are the best ways to get yourself ready for the big day. This interview guide helps you to walk into that interview with the best chance of getting a positive result.

Keep the job in mind

While it might seem disingenuous to reel off a list of responsibilities that you “love” doing, keeping your motivations broadly relevant to the demands of the role will stop any doubts appearing in a hiring manager’s mind. Pick the motivations that fit best with what you will be doing on a daily basis.

“Tell me about yourself” – the dreaded opening interview question that most candidates will face at some point in their career. In this blog, we’ll show you how to answer it and provide examples of great responses.

Share an example

Nothing beats giving a real-life example of how your motivations have made a difference to a previous employer. Motivations pack a punch when the going gets tough and most other people would otherwise give up. Tell them about a time when you achieved something that required genuine mental fortitude. Stories are memorable.

Make it personal

In the spirit of bringing your whole self to work, sharing what you find personally meaningful at work will allow an interviewer to build a more rounded picture of who you are. Not every question will invite such a personal response, so make the most of the opportunity to tell them what makes you tick. Your answer doesn’t need to contain a personal element, but your motivations will seem a little hollow without it.

Some areas for work-related motivation that you may wish to consider:

Compelling career goals help show an employer you are motivated and ambitious. This blog will walk you through the dos and don’ts of expressing your career goals.

Example answers for your motivation

There are many kinds of motivation and there is no right answer to this question, so here are a few example responses that may offer some inspiration:

Talk about something that you find challenging on a daily basis:

“I love the fact that in sales every conversation can unlock a door – online and in real life. You might not be able to walk though it immediately, but when you have put the work in to unlock enough doors you never quite know which one will open next. I am motivated by the inevitable nature of the sales funnel – you might not be winning today, but if you do the right things, you can guarantee that you will win tomorrow.”

Explain how you make a specific difference to those around you:

“My high-functioning autism drives me to notice trends in the data that others normally miss. I enjoy challenging myself to understand the bigger picture, but I certainly feel that my contributions are valued by a range of colleagues. I am most at home tweaking big data algorithms or learning the latest coding language. I am motivated because I know that my highly specific skill set makes a real-world difference.”

Feeling the psychological safety to take creative risks is a big motivator for many:

“I am motivated by working in a creative environment where my achievements are only limited by the extent of my imagination. Winning an award for innovation at MarTech three years ago gave me the fire to push the boundaries at work every day. I sometimes wonder whether my ideas will be welcomed by my colleagues, so I am looking to work in a company where even bad ideas are welcomed and debated.”

If you have an emotionally demanding role, it is acceptable to address its challenges:

“Working as an emergency medic brings moments of intense stress when I understand the gravity of life/death decisions. Having seen my father die of an incurable illness, I throw myself into such situations with everything that I have. I will do anything in my power if I can save another relative from that loss. This motivation is the reason for my continued medical studies and helps me to cope with the emotional trauma of the role.”

What demotivates you? An intelligent response might also seek to explore what destroys your motivation. Any interviewer would nod along with you suggesting that you don’t thrive in an atmosphere where colleagues shirk responsibility and deadlines fly by like the wind. What things at work make you want to stay in bed in the morning?

“Why do you want to work here?” This is a question often asked in job interviews — and if you’re not prepared for it, finding a good answer can be harder than you think.

Three responses to avoid when it comes to talking about your motivation

This is one question that you need to smash if you want to secure the job. You can be sure that your interviewer will cringe if your response is along the following lines:

1. Don’t say that you are motivated by money or perks.

Bad answer: “I have always been motivated by money, If I am honest. If the compensation allows me to live the lifestyle that I deserve, I will do anything that is asked of me at work. Unlimited holidays are important to me – I can do the job sitting on the beach.”

2. Don’t make something up. Expect the question.

Bad answer: “Um, well, let me think about that one for a minute. Does a diary not filled with meetings count as a motivation? I do find it hard to get enthused, but I muddle through.”

3. Don’t say the same thing as everyone else.

Bad answer: “I love working with like-minded people towards a goal that we all believe in. Money is not a motivator for me. I simply want to feel like I am making a difference.”

Every interview answer needs a structure and the STAR method is a great way to prove competency. Here’s how to apply it in an interview and land your next position!

How to Answer “What Motivates You?” Interview Question (+ Examples)

By Mike Simpson

UPDATED 6/30/2022

Motivation is a powerful tool. It drives you to complete tasks and encourages you to keep going when times get tough. Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, selfish or altruistic, motivation matters, particularly on the job.

The issue is that motivation is often highly personal. That’s why answering “What motivates you?” during a job interview can be so tricky. If you’re trying to figure out how to answer the “What motivates you,” interview question, here’s what you need to know…

Why Do Hiring Managers Ask “What Motivates You?”

So, why do hiring managers like to ask this question? Is it because they want to see job seekers stumble?

No, that isn’t the case. There are actually several important things an interviewer can learn about the interviewee based on their answer, including just what sort of person they really are and how that matches up with what the company is looking for in a new hire.

Hiring managers want to know what you like doing and why you like doing it. They also want to know what you’re good at.

They’re looking for answers that show them examples of characteristics you possess that will help them decide if you’re going to be a great employee:

To sum it up even more, they’re trying to figure out exactly how you view and approach success and what drives you. In the end, motivation leads to a more effective performance at work, and that’s why hiring managers care about what motivates you.

How to Answer This Interview Question

In order to give a good answer to this question, you need to understand that it is actually two interview questions in one. Namely, it’s asking, “What motivates you in life?” and “What motivates you at work?”

This question requires serious self-examination, and it’s something you should be asking yourself long before the interviewer does. This isn’t something you can typically answer off the top of your head. Instead, it’s better to prepare.

What Motivates You in Life?

Another way to ask this question is, “What are you passionate about?” What is it that gets you out of bed every day with enthusiasm? Where does your mind go when you’re allowed to daydream? What hobbies do you enjoy? How do you like to spend your time?

Now, dig deeper. What is it about these activities that you enjoy? Is it the satisfaction that comes from making something from nothing? Is it the sense of accomplishment after finishing an intricate project that drives you? Maybe it’s seeing how much others enjoy seeing what you’ve done?

Maybe it’s the feeling you get from helping others or leading them through something and teaching them new skills? Perhaps it was how you felt when you learned a new skill?

Whatever it is, focus on that. That helps create a foundation for a strong answer to this question and ones like it.

What Motivates You at Work?

Yes, we all know that the paycheck is a big reason why we get jobs. However, that alone isn’t usually enough to lead to job satisfaction, even if your salary is pretty high. After all, only about 36 percent of employees are engaged at work, so money alone isn’t enough to keep people focused.

So, what motivates you to do a great job at work? Is it similar to what drives you in life? Do you love the sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a big project on time and under budget? Is it the glow you get from being told you did a great job on a difficult task?

Look back on everything you’ve done both job and career-wise so far. What was it about your best days that made them the best days? When you tell stories about what you do that highlight what you enjoy, what specifically do you tell people about?

Can you take those feelings and apply them to specific moments from your life and past work experiences? Remember, real-life examples make your answers not only more compelling to a hiring manager but also give them a great idea of how you’ll behave in future situations as well.

Finally, take a long look at the job you’re applying for and see how the things you’re motivated by in both life and at work match up with the skills and abilities required. That way, you can integrate those points in when you’re answering questions like “What motivates you to do a good job?”

What Not to Say When Asked About Your Motivation

Now that we’ve gone over the subtext of what a hiring manager is actually asking you when they ask, “What motivates you,” let’s talk about what not to say in response.

First, never mention the paycheck. Hiring managers know that money is part of the equation, so it’s not necessary to bring it up in your answer.

Similarly, focusing solely on fast promotions or rising up through the ranks as much as possible, particularly if you mention anything that alludes to loving power, it’s a bad move. While ambition isn’t inherently wrong, you need to phrase it carefully if you don’t want to raise any red flags.

While these bad answers may seem obvious, it’s still a tricky question, and it’s easy to make small mistakes when answering, including:

Being too generic or vague in your answer

Remember, specific examples and direct tie-ins to the position you’re applying for will highlight your position as the perfect candidate and make it easier for the hiring manager to see you not just as an applicant but as a future employee.

Being too focused on the paycheck

Again, we all know that’s a major motivator, but an employer wants to see beyond that. Even if you’re applying for a commission-based job, where money could motivate you to perform better, it’s best to leave money out of the discussion. Instead, focus on the other metrics or the general drive to improve your performance.

Being dishonest with your motivation

As with all interview questions, honesty is the best policy. While telling your future boss you’re motivated by the opportunity to interact with customers might get you the job, if it turns out you actually hate dealing with people, it’s just going to come back to bite you.

Good Motivators to Discuss in Your Job Interview

Just as there are points you want to avoid, there are a few good motivators that can be a strong foundation for your answer.

First, there are company motivators. These are specific to the opportunity, outlining what you want to find in a job and an employer. Maybe a particular work environment or company culture helps you thrive? Or perhaps there are job duties or types of work that light your fire?

Second, you have social motivators. These generally include motivations relating to interactions with others. That could consist of your family and friends, as well as coworkers or colleagues. Teamwork, collaboration, and similar skills can also fall in this category.

Finally, there are career motivators. This category usually includes opportunities to advance, chances to grow skills, and abilities to expand responsibilities. While compensation could also come into the equation, it’s usually best to avoid discussing money as a motivator, as coming across as only being interested in the paycheck isn’t ideal.

Five Tips for Answering a “Motivation” Type Question

Now that we’ve covered some good motivators and what not to say, it’s time to talk strategy. Here are five easy tips to help you answer “What motivates you?”

1. Be prepared

Ask yourself this question ahead of time and outline possible answers, as well as examples from your life and work history that relate to the job.

2. Be self-aware

This goes hand-in-hand with being prepared. Hiring managers want to know that you’re genuinely thinking of what motivates you. A fast answer with a generic response isn’t going to win you any points. Take time to really answer the question by first really looking at who you are and what you love, and most importantly, what drives you!

3. Be enthusiastic

This is what drives you. This is what you’re passionate about. Let that enthusiasm show! The more enthusiasm you have for what motivates you, the more enthusiasm the hiring manager will have for you.

4. Be self-motivated

Hiring managers love self-motivated people. Even if the job you’re applying for has you working on a team, hiring managers want to know that you’re strong enough on your own to complete the tasks assigned to you. If all your motivation comes from outside forces, a hiring manager might feel some concern about your ability to complete tasks if not constantly supervised.

5. Be honest

We’ve already gone over this, but just in case, it’s worth mentioning again. Be honest.

“What Motivates You?” Example Answers to Guide You

In order to get you ready to craft your own answer to the interview question “What motivates you,” we thought we’d give you some example answers. Use these as a jumping-off point for your own answers, and don’t forget to tailor them!

EXAMPLE 1 – Sales

“One thing that motivates me, unlike anything else, is seeing my numbers improve. As a sales professional, I know the importance of metrics. Whether it’s the number of leads I turn into customers, the amount of repeat business I secure, or the customer satisfaction scores after engaging with a client, I continuously strive to reach new heights. It’s a genuine point of pride, and not just when my performance rises. If I’m able to help a team excel, that’s even better, as it lets me do my part to ensure the success of the whole.”

EXAMPLE 2 – Design

“As a product designer, nothing is as magical as watching someone use an item I created and genuinely enjoy the experience. In my career, I have had the opportunity to impact people’s lives in an incredibly unique way. Whenever I see someone discovering that the product I made can solve their problem, I’m legitimately overjoyed, and that inspires me to keep creating and innovating.”

EXAMPLE 3 – Tech

“Overall, I relish learning opportunities. That’s part of the reason I pursued a career in technology. The tech world changes so quickly, and I enjoy spending time exploring what’s on the horizon and figuring out how I can harness emerging technologies to improve my workplace or assist customers.”

EXAMPLE 4 – Marketing

“What motivates me at work is knowing that I can reach someone on an emotional level in just 30 seconds with a commercial or even a quick glance with a print ad. It’s amazing to see someone connect with an idea based on my efforts. When that turns into increased sales for my client, that’s a demonstration of my success.”

EXAMPLE 5 – Management

“I’ve worked in management for five years, and the one thing that makes all of the challenges worthwhile is seeing my team grow and advance. I genuinely enjoy coaching and harnessing the potential of constructive feedback. When I’m able to help a struggling employee start exceeding expectations or a thriving team member take the next step in their career, I’m always elated. That’s what sustains me at work, and it will likely do so for the rest of my career.”

Putting It All Together

While there are right ways and wrong ways to “What motivates you?” you still want to make sure your answer will resonate with the hiring manager. Use the tips above to get moving in the right direction. That way, you’ll stand out as an exceptional candidate.

P.S. Don’t forget we wanted to let you know that there are over 100 other difficult interview questions you could be asked in your job interview. Sounds stressful right?

Don’t worry, because we created a free PDF that outlines the most common questions and gives you word for word sample answers that you can use at your next interview. Click the link below to get your copy now!

FREE : Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others.

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