How to Answer “What Motivates You? (With Sample Answers)

by Fang Mei

Published at: November 29, 2023

Understanding your own motivations can significantly impact your performance and fulfillment at work. When interviewers ask, "What motivates you?" they are looking for insights into your personality and to gauge whether you will be a driven and compatible addition to their team.

Crafting an effective answer requires self-awareness and an understanding of how your personal drivers align with the job's requirements. Expressing what keeps you enthusiastic and goal-oriented is crucial, showing potential employers that your motivations sync with the company's objectives and culture.

Why Employers Ask This?

When you're in a job interview and the interviewer asks, "What motivates you?", they're looking to uncover several key elements about you.

• They want to determine what drives your professional actions and gauge whether your motivators align with the company's goals.
• It provides insight into your personality and work ethic. They're interested in what energizes you at work and if that enthusiasm will translate into positive actions and outcomes within their organization.
• Employers use this question to predict how you'll react to challenges. Someone motivated by problem-solving or continuous learning, for instance, might be well-suited to a dynamic role that requires adaptability.
• This question helps employers assess your fit within the company culture. If your sources of motivation are compatible with the company's values and work environment, it's a good sign that you could thrive and contribute positively and are team-oriented.

How To Answer This Question?

Crafting a compelling response to "What motivates you?" requires a structured approach that aligns with your career vision, showcases your strengths, and resonates with the job description.

Using the STAR Method

Employ the Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR) method as a framework for formulating your answer. This keeps your response focused and structured. For example, start by describing a challenging situation from a previous role, outline the task you were responsible for, elaborate on the specific actions you took to address the situation, and conclude with the positive results that came from your efforts.

Relating to the Job Description

Carefully read the job description to identify the skills and responsibilities emphasized by the employer. Tailor your answer to illustrate your propensity for these roles through real-life examples. For instance, if problem-solving is a key aspect of the role, discuss a time your innovative solutions significantly benefitted your past employer.

Incorporating Personal Drive and Values

Reflect on your core values and strengths and how they play into your professional drive and job satisfaction. This is your opportunity for self-reflection and preparation. Connect your personal drives to the expectations of the role, showing how your motivation aligns with the career trajectory offered by the potential employer.

Remember to practice your response to ensure clarity and confidence in your delivery. Use specific examples drawn from your experiences that align with the skills, values, and strengths the employer is seeking.

Sample Answers

When crafting your response to "What motivates you?" consider the specific role and how your personal drives align with the job's responsibilities. Here, we'll dissect sample answers tailored to different positions to give you a solid starting point.

Example for Customer Service Role

In customer service, highlight your passion for helping people and the satisfaction you gain from resolving issues. For instance:

• What motivates you?
• "I am driven by the opportunity to make an impact on a customer's day. Positive feedback and knowing I've resolved someone's issue is what excites me to come to work each day."

This answer underscores a genuine desire to assist others and demonstrates that you find value in creating positive experiences.

Example for Sales Position

For a sales position, stress both your experience and the goals that drive you:

• What motivates you?
• "The thrill of closing a deal and the challenge of meeting targets motivate me. My drive to excel is fueled by my past successes and the goals I set for myself, pushing me to continually hone my sales strategies."

This sample shows your dedication to achieving sales targets and your confidence in your selling abilities.

Example Highlighting Teamwork and Collaboration

If the role values teamwork, focus on your commitment to collaboration:

• What motivates you?
• "I am passionate about working in a team setting where collaboration contributes to our collective success. Drawing from diverse past experiences, I am excited to combine efforts and learn from my peers, which I believe leads to more innovative solutions."

With this response, you're showcasing the importance you place on teamwork and the collective achievements that can come from it.

Best Practices for Answering 'What Motivates You?'

Crafting a compelling reply to "What motivates you?" can make a significant impact during an interview. Focus on being detailed about your personal drivers, aligning your motivation with the job's requirements, and demonstrating your eagerness for opportunities that the position could offer for growth and learning.

Tips for Conveying Authenticity

When responding to hiring managers, convey your true incentives. Discuss what genuinely ignites your passion, whether it's tackling innovative projects or having the chance to showcase your creativity. Aim to illustrate your ambition through real examples that resonate with your personality and work ethic.

• Be Specific: Rather than giving generic answers, provide detailed instances where your motivation led to achievements.
• Personal Connection: Explain how specific aspects of the role align with what you find motivating.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Keep your answer focused and relevant to the job you're applying for. Avoid negativity; do not speak ill of past experiences or entities. Recruiters listen for red flags, so ensure your reply demonstrates positivity and professionalism.

• Do Not Ramble: Keep your answers concise, avoiding any urge to provide unnecessary details.
• Stay Positive: Refrain from using negative examples that could cast a shadow on your candidacy.

Continual Learning and Skill Development

Express a thirst for continual learning and mention specific skills you wish to develop or training you're excited about. This can show recruiters your commitment to growth and the ability to embrace challenges.

• Professional Growth: Discuss how the opportunity contributes to your career trajectory.
• Skill Enhancement: Mention any particular skills or areas, such as leadership or technical proficiency, where you seek to advance.

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