The question “What motivation do you need to do a great job at work?” is a common interview question. It is asked to assess your understanding of what motivates you and how you will stay motivated in the role.
When answering this question, it is important to be honest and specific. Avoid giving generic answers or making it seem like you are only motivated by money or other external factors. Instead, focus on your intrinsic motivators, such as your desire to learn and grow, to make a difference, and to be challenged.
You can also mention specific aspects of the job that you are excited about and how they will motivate you to do your best. For example, if you are applying for a job in sales, you could talk about how you are motivated by the challenge of closing deals and helping customers find the right solutions.
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How to Answer the ‘What Motivates You to Do a Good Job’ Interview Question
Here are some tips on how to answer the “What motivates you to do a good job?” interview question:
Be specific and provide examples. Don’t just say that you are motivated by money or success. Instead, talk about specific things that you enjoy doing at work, such as solving problems, helping others, or learning new things. Share examples of times when you were motivated to go the extra mile, even when it was challenging.
Be honest and authentic. Don’t try to give the answer you think the interviewer wants to hear. Instead, be honest about what really drives you. This will help you come across as genuine and relatable.
Be positive. Even if you are motivated by something challenging, such as overcoming obstacles, focus on the positive aspects of your motivation. For example, you could say that you are motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and finding creative solutions.
Connect your motivations to the job and the company. Show the interviewer that you are interested in the role and the company by explaining how your motivations align with the job duties and the company’s values. For example, if you are motivated by helping others, you could talk about how you are excited about the opportunity to work with customers or clients.
Here is an example of a good answer to the “What motivates you to do a good job?” interview question:
“I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems. I also enjoy working as part of a team to achieve common goals. In this role, I would be motivated by the opportunity to use my skills and experience to help the company achieve its goals. I am also excited about the prospect of working with a team of talented and motivated people.”
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Why do employers ask what motivates you at work?
Employers ask what motivates you at work because they want to know what drives you to succeed and what kind of employee you would be. They are looking for candidates who are self-motivated and have a clear understanding of what they want to achieve.
Here are some of the reasons why employers ask this question:
To assess your fit for the role and the company. Employers want to know if your motivations are aligned with the requirements of the job and the values of the company. For example, if you are interviewing for a role in sales, and you are motivated by helping others and achieving challenging goals, the interviewer can infer that you would be a good fit for the role.
To gauge your level of self-awareness. Employers want to know if you have a good understanding of what motivates you and how to stay motivated. This is important because self-motivated employees are more likely to be successful in their roles and contribute to the team.
To learn more about your personality and work style. Your answer to this question can give the interviewer insights into your personality, interests, and values. This information can help them determine if you would be a good fit for the team culture and work environment.
Overall, employers ask what motivates you at work because they want to get to know you better and understand what drives you to succeed. By providing a thoughtful and insightful answer to this question, you can increase your chances of making a good impression on the interviewer and landing the job.
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Sample ‘What Motivates You to Do a Good Job’ Interview Answers
It is important to note that everyone is motivated by different things. Some people may be motivated by a combination of factors, while others may be primarily motivated by one thing. It is important for managers to understand what motivates their employees so that they can create a work environment that is supportive and productive.
Here are some example answers to the question “What motivates you at work?”:
Autonomy: I am motivated by the ability to work independently and make my own decisions. I like to be able to set my own goals and manage my own time.
An employee who is motivated by autonomy might be more likely to volunteer for new projects or take on extra responsibility. They might also be more likely to come up with their own creative solutions to problems.
Mastery: I am motivated by the challenge of learning new things and improving my skills. I like to feel like I am growing and developing as a professional.
An employee who is motivated by mastery might be more likely to take on challenging assignments or seek out opportunities for professional development. They might also be more likely to be curious about new technologies and trends.
Purpose: I am motivated by the feeling that my work is making a difference in the world. I want to use my skills and talents to help others and make a positive impact.
An employee who is motivated by purpose might be more likely to be engaged in their work and have a positive attitude. They might also be more likely to go the extra mile to help their colleagues or customers.
Recognition: I am motivated by being appreciated for my hard work and contributions. I like to feel valued and respected by my colleagues and supervisors.
An employee who is motivated by recognition might be more likely to be competitive or strive to achieve goals. They might also be more likely to be motivated by public praise or awards.
Growth opportunities: I am motivated by the opportunity to learn and grow in my career. I want to take on new challenges and responsibilities, and I am always looking for ways to advance my skills and knowledge.
An employee who is motivated by growth opportunities might be more likely to take on new challenges or seek out opportunities for professional development. They might also be more likely to be interested in promotions or career advancement.
Collaboration: I am motivated by the opportunity to work with others and learn from them. I enjoy being part of a team and working towards common goals.
An employee who is motivated by collaboration might be more likely to volunteer to help others or participate in team projects. They might also be more likely to be open to feedback and suggestions from others.
Positive work environment: I am motivated by a positive and supportive work environment. I like to feel like I am part of a team and that I have the resources and support I need to succeed.
An employee who is motivated by a positive work environment might be more likely to be engaged in their work and have a positive attitude. They might also be more likely to be loyal to their company and their colleagues.
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What to avoid when answering the question
Not answering the question. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to make sure that your answer actually addresses the question that was asked. Don’t go off on tangents or try to answer a different question.
Giving an incomplete answer. If you don’t know the full answer to a question, that’s okay. But try to provide as much information as you can. You can also say that you don’t know the full answer, but that you’re willing to find out more and get back to the person.
Giving an incorrect answer. It’s better to admit that you don’t know the answer than to give an incorrect one. If you’re not sure about something, it’s okay to do some research before you answer.
Being rude or dismissive. Even if you don’t like the question or the person asking it, it’s important to be polite and respectful. Avoid using sarcasm or insults.
Making assumptions. Don’t assume that the person asking the question knows the same things as you do. Be clear and concise in your answer, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that the person may not understand.
Here are some additional tips for answering questions effectively:
Listen carefully to the question. Make sure that you understand what the person is asking before you start to answer. If you’re not sure, ask for clarification.
Restate the question in your own words. This will help you to make sure that you understand the question correctly and that your answer is relevant.
Be concise and to the point. Avoid rambling or going off on tangents.
Provide evidence to support your answer. This could include statistics, quotes from experts, or examples from your own experience.
Be respectful and polite. Even if you disagree with the person asking the question, it’s important to be respectful of their opinion.
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Variations of the interview question ‘what motivates you at work?’
Interviewers may ask these questions in different ways, but they are all trying to understand what makes you tick and what drives you to succeed. Your answer can help them determine if you are a good fit for the role and the company culture.
When answering this question, be sure to be specific and honest. Talk about what motivates you personally and professionally. Be sure to tailor your answer to the specific role and company you are interviewing for.
For example, if you are interviewing for a job at a social impact organization, you might talk about your passion for making a difference in the world. If you are interviewing for a job at a fast-paced tech startup, you might talk about your love of challenge and innovation.
No matter what your answer is, be sure to be enthusiastic and positive. Interviewers want to see that you are motivated and excited about the opportunity to work for their company.
Here are some variations of the interview question “What motivates you at work?”:
- What drives you to do your best?
- What inspires you?
- What are you passionate about?
- What makes you excited to come to work in the morning?
- What gets you out of bed in the morning?
- What keeps you motivated at work?
- What are your biggest motivators?
- What are your intrinsic motivators?
- What are your extrinsic motivators?
- What are your personal motivators?
- What are your professional motivators?
- What are your short-term motivators?
- What are your long-term motivators?
- What are your team motivators?
- What are your company motivators?
- What are your industry motivators?
- What are your global motivators?
- What are your social impact motivators?
- What are your environmental impact motivators?
- What are your financial motivators?
- What are your career growth motivators?
- What are your learning and development motivators?
- What are your recognition and reward motivators?
- What are your autonomy and independence motivators?
- What are your variety and challenge motivators?
- What are your work-life balance motivators?
- What are your well-being and happiness motivators?
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Conclusion
When answering the question “What motivation do you need to do a great job at work?”, be honest, specific, and focus on your intrinsic motivators. You can also mention specific aspects of the job that you are excited about and how they will motivate you to do your best.
FAQs
Learning and growth
Challenge
Making a difference
Helping others
Recognition and reward
Teamwork
A positive work environment
To make your answer more specific, you can mention specific aspects of the job that you are excited about and how they will motivate you to do your best
You should avoid giving generic answers or making it seem like you are only motivated by money or other external factors. You should also avoid saying anything negative about your previous employers or colleagues
If you are not sure what motivates you, take some time to think about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at.
References
- naukri.com/what-motivates-you-to-do-a-good-job
- targetjobs.co.uk/what-motivates-you-tricky-graduate-interview-question
- livecareer.com/resources/what-motivates-you-to-do-a-good-job
- indeed.com/interview-question-what-motivates-you
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