Good Answers to the Tricky Interview Question “What Motivates You?”
learning new things
acquiring new skills
meeting deadlines, goals and targets
coaching others
improving processes, finding ways to solving problems
leading a team or being a part of a team
completing a difficult project
overcoming challenges
coming up with creative ideas
Scroll down the article to see sample answers for different positions.
Pro Tip: Almost as important as being honest in answering this question is to prepare. This is a tough interview question, and it is not one you’ll do well with if you try to respond on the spot!
As we discussed, a great place to start off with figuring out your perfect answer to the question what is your motivation? is to understand how you’d speak about your strengths. Read this article to get that right: How to Answer the “What Are Your Strengths?” Interview Question
8 Essential Tips For Answering The Interview Question Correctly
Before we give you the perfect answer to the interview question “what motivates you?” there are 8 things you can say that motivate you that will make the interviewer sit up and listen!
You are motivated by DEADLINES AND PRESSURE. If you have set timeframes to work towards, and you need to act quickly whilst under pressure, this can be a great motivator because it makes you feel you are valued at work! This also tells the interviewer you will take ownership of difficult tasks!
You are motivated by RESPONSIBILITY&HAVING LOTS OF VARIED TASKS TO DO AT WORK! This is a great motivator because it shows you to be someone who needs to be pushed and challenged at work, and this is obviously the perfect type of employee to have in any team!
You are motivated by ANALYSIZNG DATA AND INFORMATION with a view to making improvements at work. This shows that you enjoy investigating things and coming up with creative ways to help the business improve.
You are motivated by CHALLENGING TARGETS (this is great for sales roles). Being motivated by targets shows you are a driven and a self-motivated person.
You are motivated by DOING EVERYTHING TO AHIGH STANDARD AND ON TIME! If you have high standards then this is a great motivator because you feel everything is done exactly as it should be, and you will insist other people in your team do the same! This also communicates to the interviewer that you are organized and reliable.
You are motivated by MAKING SURE YOUR FAMILY ARE PROVIDED FOR, they are safe, secure and healthy. You understand that this can only be achieved if you do a good job at work, and you impress your manager!
You are motivated by CONTINUALLY LEARNING AND IMPROVING. If you are the type of person who is always open to learning new things and developing yourself professionally, this is very attractive to an employer!
You are motivated by GOALS ANDACHIEVEMENT! This is a great motivator for many because if they have something to work towards, it makes them feel good about themselves once they achieve it.
Lets take a look at 2 brilliant examples answers that you can use in your job interview – tell us which answer you prefer in the comments section below…
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Why Is The Interviewer Asking You The Question “What Motivates You?”
Well, this is actually a trick interview question, and the hiring manager is asking it because they want to assess your motivations for work, what drives you personally, and how you are going to impact their team if they give you the job!
NEVER answer this interview question by saying you are motivated by money, by perks of the job, by promotion, or by anything outside of work that could put you across as self-centred.
MOTIVATION Interview Questions & Answers! (How to ANSWER these DIFFICULT Interview Questions!)