What Motivates You: How to Explain Job Motivation Perfectly

econtentsol Published: February 21, 2024 10 min read

Table of Content

Defining How to Answer the Motivational Question Asked Commonly During the Interviews
Reasons Why Interviewers Ask “What Motivates You”?
How to Answer “What Motivates You” Properly?
Best Examples to Answer What Motivates You?
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words

Defining How to Answer the Motivational Question Asked Commonly During the Interviews


Motivation is an important factor that helps to drive your passion at the workplace. If you are not feeling motivated at the workplace, then your job life will start to struggle badly. This is a question that is also asked by many employers during the interview. They want to know what motivates you to do the job and contribute in the betterment of the company. Answering this question correctly is considered important, because employers judge your attitude after listening to your explanation. It is certainly not a hard question, yet many people feel confused while answering it during the interviews.

Having a sparkling job motivation is undoubtedly necessary to lift up your mood at the workplace. It is something that keeps your passion up, allowing you to focus on the core tasks more accurately. This is the reason why employers are interested in this question, as it defines the mindset of the candidate to them. Many times, this particular question becomes the sole decider for your selection or non-selection during the interviews. So, it is advised to answer this question wisely, as managers will be judging your profile according to it.

In this blog, we will discuss how this question can be answered in a correct manner. Not just in interview, but you can also mention it in the resume to get the employer’s attention. Also, do remember to prepare your CV by taking resume writing services from any professional agency. Let’s first start from the basics understanding why hiring managers ask this question during the interviews.

Reasons Why Interviewers Ask “What Motivates You”?

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Many interviewers want to know what motivates you at the work. This is a common question asked during the interviews, and people usually answer it in different ways. The main purpose of asking this question is to know what type of inspiration a candidate is bringing at the workplace. If it is positive, then it will surely align with the goals of the company, and if it is not, then there will be a lot of difficulties for the respective candidate at the work.

The purpose of inquiring about your motivations during a job interview extends beyond assessing your suitability for the position. It also aims to evaluate your compatibility with the specific workplace culture and objectives of the company. This line of questioning seeks to uncover the underlying factors driving your desire to be a successful employee and to understand what brings you fulfillment in your job or career. By delving into these aspects, the interviewer gains deeper insights into your personality and work approach.

In essence, the exploration of your motivations goes beyond a mere analysis of skills and experience. It provides a holistic understanding of your intrinsic drivers, shedding light on your commitment to excel in your role, accomplish your objectives, and contribute significantly to the success of the employer. It is crucial to recognize that when employers inquire about your motivations, they are basically asking for your inspiration how you want to take up this role with full dedication.

How to Answer “What Motivates You” Properly?

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There are several ways in which you can answer this question properly. It all depends on the real motivation you have for the job. This inspiration should be reflected in the answer, as that plays a major role to convince any employer.

Here are some tips that could help to define your motivation factor during the interviews. Take a look at them and understand which part fits best in your case.

Prioritize Job Description

When formulating your response, it’s crucial to consider the specific skills and abilities that would be particularly advantageous for the position you are applying for. Tailor your answer to emphasize these key attributes. For instance, if the role pertains to a managerial position, focus on articulating your proficiency in relationship building and facilitating the success of others in achieving goals.

Furthermore, delve into specific examples or instances from your past experiences that showcase your ability to excel in these identified skills. Share anecdotes that highlight your success in fostering positive professional relationships or instances where your support contributed to the achievement of collective objectives. Providing concrete evidence of your skills not only reinforces your qualifications but also offers a more vivid and memorable illustration of your suitability for the role.

Focus on Company Values

When considering a company’s emphasis on fostering camaraderie among its staff, it would be beneficial to incorporate specific details into your response. For instance, you could discuss how the collaborative achievement of goals as a cohesive group not only resonates with your professional values but also serves as a significant source of motivation for you.

In cases where you are unfamiliar with the company’s culture, it is advisable to conduct thorough research before your interview. Delve into the organization’s website, employee testimonials, or any available publications to gain insights into its values, work environment, and team dynamics. Armed with this knowledge, you can then integrate specific aspects of the company’s culture into your motivational power words.

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Define Previous Experiences

When discussing the projects or tasks that motivate you, consider providing a concrete example from your previous employment to illustrate the specific nature of these endeavors. For instance, if you express motivation driven by results, delve into a particular instance where you set a goal and not only met but possibly exceeded it.

Furthermore, expound upon the impact of your achievements within the context of the larger team or organization. Highlight the collaborative aspects of the project, demonstrating how your individual contributions contributed to the overall success. This not only showcases your ability to thrive in a team environment but also emphasizes your understanding of the interconnectedness of tasks and goals within a professional setting.

Best Examples to Answer What Motivates You?

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A lot of times, people stay confused answering to this tricky question of employers. They do not know what to say, as things are not present in their mind at that particular moment. If you are also one of them who is confused to answer this question in interviews, take a look at the examples given below.

Example: Motivated by Learning

One of the primary drivers of my motivation is the continuous pursuit of acquiring new skills. Witnessing my own improvement and expanding my knowledge within a specific job or market sector brings me immense satisfaction. In my previous role, I actively sought opportunities for professional development by consistently enrolling in training programs and acquiring knowledge about developing cornerstone content.

By proactively engaging in self-funded learning initiatives, I not only demonstrated a strong commitment to personal and professional growth but also showcased my belief in the transformative power of acquiring new skills. This dedication to expanding my expertise not only benefited me individually but also contributed to fostering a culture of innovation within the team.

Example: Perfect Project Organizations

My addiction, so to speak, lies in the meticulous planning of projects. This particular trait extends across both my professional and personal domains, compelling me to allocate sufficient time for goal attainment and deliver optimal performance in all my endeavors. Through strategic planning, I aim to strike a balance that allows me to channel my efforts into producing high-quality work without succumbing to burnout.

This dedication to effective time management not only safeguards against the perils of over commitment but also serves as a cornerstone for maintaining consistently high standards of output. By adhering to well-thought-out plans, I ensure that my energy and focus are directed towards each task with precision, contributing to a sustained level of excellence.

Example: Like to Solve Problems

My journey into the world of coding commenced during my middle school years when I was first introduced to this fascinating field. Credit goes to my brother, a seasoned software developer, who readily extended his assistance whenever I sought guidance. Since that initial exposure, coding has become an intrinsic part of my life, evolving into a passion that I pursue relentlessly.

What truly captivates me about coding is the inherent challenge it presents and the boundless opportunities for problem-solving it offers. The process of unraveling complex issues through code not only motivates me but also serves as the driving force behind my pursuit of success in this field. It’s not just a profession for me; it’s a constant source of intellectual stimulation and personal fulfillment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should you answer what motivates you in a job interview?
The ideal way to answer this question is by aligning your interests with the goals of the company. This way, the employer will get to know about your selfless motivation in a proper manner.
What are the different types of motivation?
Motivation can be randomly classified into two types i.e. extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation demands things like paycheck, bonuses, etc. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation influences you to work hard and conquer tough challenges at the workplace.  
How to define the motivation to learn new skills?
To define your motivation to learn new skills at the job, you must need to first showcase your love for the education. This will imply that you are serious for self growth, and hence want to learn new stuff everyday at the workplace.

Final Words

That brings us to the end of this blog in which we have discussed how to answer the question of an employer related to your motivational factor in the job. This is one of those questions that is commonly asked during the interviews, so you must need to be prepared in advanced to answer it correctly. This blog is precisely written to let you understand how this question should be answered in a proper manner. It has discussed plenty of tips in the blog to help beginners know which points should be described to define their motivational factor to the employers.

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