How to Answer “What Motivates You?” in Interviews
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When hiring managers ask “what motivates you,” they’re trying to understand what powers your job performance and contributions. Learning what inspires your productivity can help them decide if you’ll fit in with the existing team. To ace this question, use these tips and “what motivates you to work” sample answers.
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Why Do Hiring Managers Ask “What Motivates You”
When hiring managers ask the “what motivates you” interview question, they want to know which work environments work best for you. What type of projects or responsibilities excite you? What skills or goals do you hope to accomplish through your job? Are you a collaborative worker? Do you work best alone or prefer a combination of these work settings?
By learning what motivates you to do a great job at work, hiring managers can decide if you’ll thrive in their existing company culture or lack the motivating factors that make you an effective employee. Keep the following tips in mind when you practice your answer to ensure that both you and the open job are a good match:
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How to Answer “What Motivates You?”
The best way to answer “what motivates you at work” is to draw specific examples from past jobs. Think carefully about the people, projects or opportunities that inspired or motivated you to try new tasks or revisit previously failed projects.
Looking back at these experiences, you can reflect on the everyday things that excited you. Knowing what motivates you at work allows you to look for similar environments or responsibilities that inspire and motivate you!
1. Developing skills
It doesn’t matter how many years of experience you have — a new job always includes a learning curve. If you thrive in a learning environment, mention it! Talk about how you look forward to learning or developing new skills. Hiring managers will take a chance on you if they believe you’re open to learning and listening.
Sample answer:
“The chance to acquire new skills and knowledge, especially collaborating directly with clients, motivates me. Although I did work with clients in the past, our company took a team-focused approach. I’d love the chance to develop independent project management negotiating skills.”
2. Meeting project goals or challenges
One of the main reasons we find new jobs is because we want new challenges. Maybe you’re in a rut, there’s no clear career growth, or you’re too comfortable with your daily responsibilities. It’s normal to crave change and mental stimulation, so mention your need for growth in your answer.
Sample answer:
“I thrive in environments that push me to think creatively and problem-solve. Embracing fresh challenges keeps me engaged and motivated while pushing me to foster professional relationships with my coworkers.”
3. Aiming for career growth or development
Imagine yourself five years from now — do you see yourself happily working the same job or wanting to advance your career? If the latter, explain how this new job can help you grow in your professional development while allowing you to contribute to the daily needs of the employer.
“What motivates you?” sample answer:
“I’m motivated by the chance to hit professional milestones. The opportunity to learn new skills, take on challenging projects, and progress within your company excites me. I am committed to improving and evolving in this role.”
4. Joining a team
If you’re a highly collaborative employee and work best in a team environment, mention this! Explain if the open exchange of ideas, mutual support or innovative brainstorming influences your thought process or energizes you. A hiring manager can calculate if you’ll thrive or contribute to the existing environment.
Sample answer:
“The idea of working with dedicated individuals with unique perspectives that will influence how I approach new projects is exciting. My previous supportive, dynamic work environment fostered my most innovative ideas and contributions.”
5. Working alone
On the other end of the motivational spectrum, you may thrive in a hands-off, independent environment. Be honest about your ability to self-monitor your schedule and responsibilities, but highlight your ability to collaborate where needed.
Sample answer:
“While I appreciate the benefits of teamwork, I’m motivated when entrusted with individual responsibilities, allowing me to efficiently manage tasks and pursue innovative solutions with focused dedication.”
6. Working with mentors or mentees
Sometimes, your desire to join a team relates to working with a specific individual or joining a mentor/mentee program. Mention working with mentors or mentees during the “what motivates you” interview to express your desire for personal growth or to share professional knowledge.
Sample answer to “what motivates you”:
“As a first-generation college student, I had yet to learn of generational wealth or investments. I am motivated to work for mentors with similar economic backgrounds who use social media to democratize this information and help educate future generations.”
7. Finding a purpose
If finding meaning through work is what motivates you, emphasize where your values align with the goals and mission of the employer. Finding a common purpose demonstrates a deep connection to the work and a personal-driven commitment to make meaningful contributions through a shared vision.
Sample answer:
“I am motivated by your mission to help business owners host and manage their online business portals. As a software developer, I am driven by the opportunity to help maintain and improve their client-facing portals.”
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10 “What Motivates You” Sample Answers
The following “what motivates you to work” sample answers use power words and action verbs to reflect energy and enthusiasm.
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I am motivated by the chance to learn and grow in my role constantly. The opportunity to embrace new technologies and acquire new coding skills fuels my passion for continuous improvement and expansive programming knowledge.
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Hitting quarterly goals and seeing the direct impact of my efforts on traffic levels helps me strive for excellence. I am motivated by your company’s reputation for sharing regular performance metrics and making this information accessible.
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I thrive in a collaborative environment where ideas are shared. After interviewing four potential colleagues, I am motivated to join such an open, diverse team of talented individuals.
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I am motivated by the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others. As the child of a former housekeeper, I am inspired by your nonprofit’s mission to support working-class service workers in agriculture and food production with supplemental meals and access to affordable financial and legal assistance.
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I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex production problems. The review of production funnels from start to finish to identify bottlenecks and propose effective solutions drives my work style.
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The chance to build strong working relationships and foster a supportive work culture is what motivates me to work. Your company has a public reputation where employers are encouraged to partner with multiple departments to collaborate on new projects and expand their skills.
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I am motivated to work by the opportunity to take on new responsibilities, expand my skills, and try new challenges. This job is a thrilling opportunity since your company is helping develop new AI technologies in real time.
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Continuous learning and development motivate me. I am eager to join your international company — not only do you stay at the forefront of sustainable luxury brands, but I can expand my knowledge, acquire new skills, and contribute effectively to the organization’s success.
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The freedom to innovate, experiment, and execute ideas is what motivates me at work. Your corporation’s remote work environment will give me the autonomy to take ownership of my tasks and make independent decisions!
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I work best when I can see the immediate impact of my contributions on the organization. Recognition for my contributions and tracing a clear path for career growth and development inspires me to give my best consistently.
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3 “What Motivates You” Answers to Avoid
Although the following reasons may influence your decision to find a new job, you shouldn’t bring them up during your interview. Tailor your answers to focus on specific responsibilities or corporate missions related to the open job.
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Key Takeaways
Since hiring managers use the “what motivates you” interview question to learn what encourages you and your professional contributions, keep the following tips and tactics in mind.
FAQ
Why are you looking for a new job?
Unlike the “what motivates you” question, this question aims to learn why you left your past job. Don’t mention negative experiences with your previous jobs or colleagues — this can leave a poor impression of your attitude instead. Visit our related interview guide to learn how to respond positively instead.
Why do you want to be a manager?
If you’re looking for a managerial promotion, emphasize your ability to inspire colleagues, drive team success and encourage professional growth. Highlight relevant skills like communication, critical thinking or decision-making. Visit our “why do you want to be a manager” guide to find sample answers and tips.
What did you like least about your job?
Instead of focusing on the work environment or employees, focus on the limitation of job growth or the desire to expand your skills as your least favorite thing about your job. This makes you look like a driven employee instead of a complainer.
How do you approach a problem?
Hiring managers want candidates with strong critical thinking, analytical and management skills — they’ll ask you how to approach a problem to see how you apply these skills in a theoretical project. Visit our helpful “approaching a problem” guide to learn how to prepare and answer this question accurately.
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How to Answer “What Motivates You” Interview Question
Gabriela Barcenas
Content WriterGabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career adviser. With 10 years of digital media experience and five years of resume writing expertise, her publication history includes fashion, education, travel, social justice, equitable design and career advice.
