How to Answer the “What Motivates You?” Interview Question

What motivates you?” is among the most common interview questions that hiring managers or recruiters ask job candidates. The question aims to help potential employers understand job seekers’ career goals and motivating factors in taking a job. The question also provides insight into whether those motivators will lead to their best work and a sense of accomplishment for employees and employers alike. Asking a job candidate what they’re passionate about can be as crucial to the hiring process as a well-constructed [cover letter](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-the-perfect-cover-letter) or detailed work experience on a [resume](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-cv). For job seekers, answering questions about self-motivation can be tricky. One of the most common mistakes that many candidates make is giving an answer that they think the interviewer wants instead of an honest response that reflects real motivators in their lives. While there is no “perfect answer” to the question, a thoughtful response can help bridge the gap to the next interview and even result in a [job offer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-negotiate-a-job-offer). Here are a few ways to answer questions about your motivations, depending on the type of job: - __Meeting deadlines__: If your job search has connected you with a deadline-driven company, you can discuss your satisfaction in completing projects on time. Your time-management skills and how they’ve generated success for you at a previous job are also excellent motivators to discuss. - __Customer satisfaction__: For interviews concerning a sales position, discuss the importance of the customer experience to you. Meeting customers’ needs is a great motivator; if you were part of a team, mention how you collaborated with team members to make customer satisfaction your primary goal. - __Positive work environment__: For managerial positions, you can discuss the importance of [team-building](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/team-building-activities-explained) and maintaining a positive work environment by completing your work promptly and collaborating with team members to reach major goals. Sharing goals with fellow workers can impress upon an interviewer that you will also share in a company’s success. Here are some tips for answering motivation questions in a job interview: 1. __Preparation is key__. “What motivates you?” is an open-ended question that you can answer with specific examples or a vague response. Aim to offer the most thoughtful, honest answer possible to score the job. Consider a few examples from your past roles or personal motivations, and craft a response around them before the interview. Preparing some talking points ahead of time will save you from responding with a vague, unimpressive answer like, “I don’t know.” 2. __Connect with the company__. Career experts suggest researching the role and the company’s culture before the interview to see what inspires your desire to fill the position. Review the job description and focus on the elements that speak to your personal career goals or passions, and discuss these areas with your interviewer. Self-reflection will help you recall the positive aspects of your current or previous positions. If the job offers training, explain that you want to learn new skills; mention that [teamwork](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/team-work-explained) is a strong motivator for jobs that involve collaboration. 3. __Tell the truth__. When an interviewer asks you to tell them about yourself, it isn’t a request for you to share what you think they want to know about you. Be self-aware: if your answers sound embellished to you, hiring managers will most likely feel the same way. Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) for exclusive access to video lessons taught by business luminaries, including Sara Blakely, Chris Voss, Robin Roberts, Bob Iger, Howard Schultz, Anna Wintour, and more. “What motivates you?” is a common question that hiring managers ask in job interviews. Understanding the best way to answer it can help you land your next job.