What Motivates You? | Job Interview Questions | Contract Jobs

image of What Motivates You? | Job Interview Questions | Contract Jobs

Are you preparing for a job interview? While applying for a job, you might come across various interview questions, suggestions and tricks on the Internet. Today we will discuss one of the most common interview question asked by employers: “What motivates you?”. It is an open-ended question; therefore, the answer to this question should be crafted in a manner that stands out. However, many candidates may find it difficult to respond to this question. So, if you are one of them, wondering how you should reply to it, then don’t worry; we are here to help you with sample answers. So, without wasting more time, let’s get started!

Sample Answers: “What Motivates You” Interview Question

Here are some sample examples of “what motivates you” that you can read for reference before you draft your perfect answer –

Sample Answer 1 – Up For Challenges

I seek challenges as I believe it is needed to keep adding one’s skills. It helps me to learn more and more things. Whenever I have to deal with a tough situation, I start thinking of all the positive outcomes that can come from it. For example, I was asked to create a report for a client in my previous company. There was a strict deadline to meet as I had to represent it the next day. I knew that completing the report in the remaining hours was almost impossible because I had to work it all by myself. So, that made me not want to sit back and relax. I might have had to put in a few extra hours  to complete the project to present the report, but I was excited and extremely satisfied with my performance & outcome, and this incident kept me charged up to deal with my upcoming projects! 

Sample Answer 2 – Never Keep Regrets

Regret is something that keeps me going. It encourages me to never give up and keep time. I am a person who just does not want to imagine that something could have been better if I had done it differently. It is one of the reasons why I give 200% to every task I undertake. I take pleasure in setting daily, weekly, monthly, and long term goals that I decide for myself. When I seek motivation, I just think of my achievements during the difficult times and how I can move forward.

Sample Answer 3 – Appreciation

When it comes to the question, “what motivates you to do a good job” it is all the appreciation that I receive from my team and management that keeps me going. I believe in giving my level best to acquire the sweetness of every achievement. I am highly proactive when learning new skills as it helps me to cater to my different qualities and keeps me upskilled & updated in the long run. I also seek motivation from my own previous work as it gives me a push to do even better.

Sample Answer 4 – Driving Result For Clients

Being in the marketing field, I have always been motivated by the creative projects and skills I get to learn throughout. Driving results for clients, improving their brand presence, and looking after their overall requirements keep me satisfied and motivated to perform better. It makes me feel that I am creating a huge difference in the projects’ I am assigned to. It always helps me look forward to working smarter & better and keeps me motivated.

Sample Answer 5 – Competitive

I am a very competitive person, and it keeps me on my toes that I have to perform better than yesterday. I believe no one is perfect, but then we learn from our flaws and rectify our mistakes by putting in more effort than before. Competitiveness is something that I look forward to because it keeps me self-centred, always in check with the latest trends, and motivates me to upgrade with time. 

Also Read: Why should We Hire You

Tips To Answer “What Motivates You”

The success of a job interview depends on how well you prepare for it. The interview preparation depends on the research you did about the company. Here, we will discuss some of the best tips to answer “what motivates you.”

1. Evaluate The Job Description

Before you get ready for the interview, it is important to thoroughly understand the job description provided by the employer. It will help you know the type of candidate they are looking for. You can carefully use the mentioned keywords in your interview while answering questions such as what motivates you at work. One of the greatest advantages of understanding the job description will help you align your skills and qualifications with the job profile accordingly. It will help you stand out in the crowd and impress the interviewer.

2. Indulge In Practicing Mock Interviews

It is natural for you to feel anxious and nervous at the time of the interview. However, in order to beat it, you can practice mock interviews before attempting the real ones. It creates a real interview type environment and will help you boost your confidence. You can take the help of your friends and family members to conduct a mock interview for you. If you do not find anyone to practice with, you can do it yourself by sitting in front of a mirror.

3. Be Honest & Polite

When answering the question “What motivates you to do a good job?” you must be honest and polite with your answer. How you answer, carry your body language, show hand gestures, etc., tells a lot about your personality. Hence, sit patiently and be polite to the other candidates you meet during the interview along with the employer.

4. Keep Your Answers Crisp & Short

It is one of the most important tips you must keep in mind. Nobody likes hearing long answers with unnecessary information. Hence, it is essential to keep your answer short. You should try to add all the important points while keeping them as small as possible. Always talk about the positive aspects of your current employer or previous employers while discussing the source of your motivation.

5. Read More About The Company

Before entering the interview room, read about the company through its social media pages, website, online sources, and employee reviews. You should know what the company stands for, its mission, vision, values, work culture, and the types of products & services it offers to its clients. After obtaining this information, you will be able to allocate your answers accordingly. The goal is to have a basic understanding of the company and how it works so you can support your answer.

Also Read: Why do you want to join our company?

Why Interviewers Ask, “What Motivates You?”

When an interviewer asks you, “What motivates you to work?”, they simply mean what makes you succeed in your job. In simpler terms, they ask what inspires you to do better. This question has a highly deeper meaning and value. The way you reply to this question tells the employer if you would be a perfect fit for the company and its culture. The employers seek honesty in your answer because there is a huge difference between the candidates inspired to build teams and form strong relationships with other employees and candidates who work independently that enhances the company’s overall growth.

Providing a great insight into what motivates you to do a good job at the workplace helps the employers to get into the window of your personality and the way you work. The employer wouldn’t wish to hire someone who will quit in the middle. The main motive behind asking these questions is to check if you are determined and resilient towards your work/job. Hence, your answer and personality will show how you handle your job and projects.

Also Read: Why do you want to join our company

What Not To Say In Response To This Job Interview Question

The interviewer will ask you numerous questions, some of which you did not even prepare for. Therefore, it is vital to stay alert while giving your interview. You should not say some phrases in the answer, such as “I don’t know” or “It is on my resume; you can see it from there.” Other than that, you should also not use any unprofessional language during the interview. Hence, take your time to understand the questions and then reply accordingly. Let’s look at some phrases that you should not say in the job interview!

  • I am nervous.
  • I don’t know.
  • How soon do you give a hike to the employees?
  • How much vacation do you provide to the employees?
  • Sorry, I am late.
  • Would you like to know about my references?
  • I am here to follow up.
  • It is on my CV; check it from there.
  • I hate my job.
  • My current employer is awful.

Using such phrases in your answers will make you look unprofessional, and automatically decrease your chances of getting selected in the interview. So you have to be mindful as well as spontaneous to frame up the correct responses when you’re put on the spot.

 Also Read: Where do you see yourself in 5 years

Wrapping Up! 

Although, everybody has different hobbies and sources of motivation. Still, we have mentioned several ways in which you can reply to the interview question, “What motivates you?” You can also identify what gives you the motivation to develop one of the best answers to create a sounding impression on your interviewer. In case you have any doubts, you can write to us in the comments below!

Search Articles

Categories

Recent Blogs

  • Top 10 Best job portals in India in 2023
    Feb 6, 2023
  • Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Mumbai
    Jan 20, 2023
  • Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs In Bangalore
    Jan 16, 2023
  • Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs In Delhi 2023
    Jan 9, 2023
  • 6 Basic Rules for Resume Writing
    Dec 30, 2022
  • How To List Certifications on Resume (With Examples)
    Dec 28, 2022
  • What is a CV?
    Nov 28, 2022
  • What Are Interpersonal Skills? Importance & Examples
    Nov 9, 2022
  • How to Write Profile Summary for Freshers?
    Nov 7, 2022
  • How To Write a Follow Up Email
    Nov 4, 2022

Latest videos

Looking for a job?