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Job Interview: What motivates you at work? (with Sample Answers)

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Ricky Chow

Founder of Resume 3.0

Publish Date: 2024-04-09
In an office, a woman speaks with a man during a job interview about what motivates him in the workplace.

Highlight

  • Understanding the significance of discussing workplace motivation in job interviews.
  • Learning effective strategies to convey personal motivators clearly and genuinely.
  • Gaining insight into crafting impactful responses with specific examples demonstrating motivation.

Why Interviewers Ask You This Question

During a job interview, the question about workplace motivation isn't just an icebreaker; it's a pivotal query for multiple reasons.

Understanding Candidate Motivation

Employers want to comprehend work-related drive to assess how aligned your motivations are with the job role and company culture. This insight helps them predict job satisfaction and longevity in the role.

Assessing Cultural Fit

Understanding your workplace values provides employers with a glimpse into whether you'll gel well within the team and adapt to the company's ethos. It's about work enthusiasm and how it aligns with the company's environment.

Predicting Job Satisfaction

By exploring what motivates in the workplace, interviewers aim to gauge if the job aligns with your professional drive. They want to ensure the position offers the right work engagement that will keep you fulfilled and committed.

How to Answer This Question

Answering the question about workplace motivation during an interview requires a strategic approach to convey your personal motivators effectively.

Reflect on Personal Values

Start by introspecting and identifying your work-related drive. Consider what aspects of work bring you passion at work. This reflection helps in articulating genuine motivations.

Connect Motivation to Job Role

Link your workplace enthusiasm directly to the job description. Highlight how your professional motivations align with the responsibilities and requirements of the role.

Provide Specific Examples

Enhance your response with job motivation examples. Offer specific instances where your motivations have driven success or positively impacted your work. This adds credibility to your answer.

Be Genuine and Enthusiastic

Avoid clichés and instead, demonstrate passion authentically. Employers value genuine work-related motivations over rehearsed or generic responses. Express your enthusiasm for the role.

What Not to Say

While answering questions about workplace motivation, avoiding certain pitfalls can enhance the quality of your response.

Avoid Clichés or Vague Answers

Steer clear of overused phrases like "I'm a hard worker" without substantiating with work-related motivations. Ensure your response is specific and meaningful.

Don’t Mention Money as the Primary Motivator

Avoid solely emphasizing financial rewards as your primary work-related drive. Employers seek motivations beyond monetary benefits to assess a deeper alignment with the role.

Steer Clear of Negative Motivations

Avoid discussing negative motivations like leaving a previous job due to conflicts or dissatisfaction. Focus on positive workplace engagement factors instead.

Answering Formula

Crafting a strong response about workplace motivation requires a structured approach that showcases your professional drive effectively.

Identify Core Values or Motivations

Start by pinpointing your work-related drive and core workplace values. Understand what truly motivates you in a professional setting.

Relate Motivations to the Job/Company

Link your identified motivations directly to the job role and the company culture. Highlight how your motivations align with what the company seeks in an ideal candidate.

Illustrate with a Brief Example

Enhance your response by sharing a specific job motivation example that demonstrates how your motivation has contributed to workplace engagement or success in the past.

Convey Enthusiasm and Authenticity

Throughout your response, aim to convey genuine enthusiasm for the job. Employers value authenticity, so ensure your response reflects your true work-related motivations.

Answer Examples

Providing workplace motivation examples during an interview helps illustrate your professional drive. Here are three possible responses:

Example 1: Passion for Problem-Solving

My passion lies in problem-solving. I thrive when faced with challenges, utilizing creative solutions to overcome obstacles. This motivates me in the workplace by fostering an environment of innovation and continuous improvement. In my previous role, I tackled complex issues by collaborating with team members, resulting in streamlined processes and increased efficiency.

Example 2: Desire for Collaboration and Teamwork

I'm driven by collaboration and teamwork. I believe collective efforts yield exceptional outcomes. I've excelled in environments where teamwork is valued, contributing ideas and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals. At my previous company, I actively participated in cross-departmental projects, fostering a cohesive team environment and achieving remarkable project milestones.

Example 3: Drive for Continuous Learning and Growth

I'm motivated by a drive for continuous learning and growth. I actively seek opportunities to expand my skills and knowledge, embracing challenges as avenues for development. In my career, I've pursued additional certifications and training, implementing newfound knowledge in my role to improve processes and deliver enhanced results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do interviewers ask about workplace motivation?

Employers inquire about workplace motivation to understand a candidate's professional drive and values. This helps them assess whether the individual's motivations align with the job role and the company's culture, predicting potential job satisfaction and long-term commitment.

How should I answer questions about my workplace motivation?

When responding to queries about workplace motivation, reflect on your personal values and connect them to the job role. Provide specific examples demonstrating how your motivations have driven success in previous roles, emphasizing authenticity and enthusiasm for the prospective position.

What are some examples of workplace motivations?

Workplace motivations vary among individuals. They might include a passion for problem-solving, a desire for teamwork and collaboration, a drive for continuous learning and growth, a commitment to innovation, or a focus on contributing to a positive work environment. These motivations help individuals thrive and contribute effectively within a professional setting.

How can I convey my workplace motivations authentically?

Authenticity in discussing workplace motivations involves avoiding clichés and being specific about what truly drives you in a professional setting. Connect your motivations to tangible experiences, accomplishments, or instances where they've positively impacted your work, showcasing genuine enthusiasm for the job role.

Should I mention money as a workplace motivator during interviews?

Avoid solely emphasizing financial rewards as your primary motivation during interviews. While compensation matters, highlighting other aspects such as challenges, growth opportunities, teamwork, or passion for the job showcases a deeper alignment with the role and the company.

Can I use the same workplace motivation examples for different job interviews?

While the core motivations might remain consistent, tailoring workplace motivation examples to align with the specific job role and company culture is crucial. Customize your responses to highlight how your motivations precisely fit the requirements and values of each organization you interview with.

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Table of content

1. Why Interviewers Ask You This Question 2. How to Answer This Question 3. What Not to Say 4. Answering Formula 5. Answer Examples