I was motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule and by managing the teams that achieved our goals. It was a real thrill to accomplish that. As you mentioned in the job listing, I'd be responsible for recruiting, orientation, and training. Also, employers are looking for some individuality in your response, so the answer to each won’t be identical – just very similar. ", How to Answer “What Motivates You?” (With Examples), List of Weaknesses: 10 Things to Say in an Interview, 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before a Job Interview. The hiring manager wants to know what drives you to succeed. And you’re showing them that you’re targeting specific things in your job search. Other ways an interviewer may ask this question include: “What drives you to do your best?” Know what motivates you, and keep your response on target so that you don’t confuse the interviewer by sharing too much information. I was responsible for all three of these functions in my most recent position. Address one or a few specific motivations and discuss a particular experience that demonstrates how it positively impacted your work. The main points you want to express in your answer are HOW you are the right candidate for the role (due to experience, skills, knowledge, etc…) and HOW the potential company is somewhere you look favourably upon. What motivates you to apply for this job? 3. During a job interview, employers will likely ask both straightforward and open-ended questions. If you apply for a simple manual labor – think stock clerk interview, picker, construction worker, etc, you can hardly find something motivating about the job, except of the salary you will get.It would make no sense to try to convince the HR managers that you enjoy carrying bricks on a dusty construction site. Having searched for a job, found one advertised and you applied for it, the question why you applied sounds so obvious. It can also be a challenge to figure out the best way to respond. I have always been motivated by the desire to meet a deadline. The interviewer will ask you ‘what motivated you to apply for this job?’ if he wants to know your motivation factor specifically for this job. However, the answer is not so obvious. How to answer “Why are you interested in this role?” While you should certainly craft an answer to this question that addresses your unique skills and qualities as it relates to the position, there are several general steps you can take as you prepare before the interview: 1. Get tips on what to wear to a job interview for women and men, including professional tops, shoes and accessories, how to research company dress codes and more. Setting and reaching deadlines gives me such a sense of accomplishment. Usually, open-ended questions are used to better understand your personality, work style and qualifications and identify whether you would be a good fit for the role, team and culture. The interviewer would like to know the types of situations that excite and motivate you on the job. A key to being happy—and good—at your job is being motivated. These are all similar questions to “what motivates you.” They all mean the same thing and what they are simply implying is that “in what circumstances are you willing to work for them. The Balance Careers uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Related: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before a Job Interview. While you may be most motivated by receiving a regular paycheck, that answer is not very inspiring from an interviewer's perspective. A key to being happy—and good—at your job is being motivated. Since many people change jobs because of workplace conflict, you may be asked how you handle stress and disagreements in … Like any job interview question, the best way to make sure you leave a positive impression is to develop your talking points ahead of time. Review the job description and determine which job responsibilities persuaded you to apply. This gives credibility to your answer. Focus on the positive when you respond. Preparation Is Key. The teams achieved 100% on-time delivery of software products. It can also help to remember that your answer should support your ultimate interview goal: compel the employer to hire you. At my last job, our yearly goals were very aggressive, but I worked with my manager and the rest of my team to figure out a month-by-month strategy for meeting the year-end numbers. Say that you believe to have the skills, that you … In this case, you can say you’re motivated by being pushed out of your comfort zone or having the opportunity to overcome a challenge. Compensation may be a strong motivator for you but it’s typically not a motivator you want to share during a behavioral interview. It could be as simple as waking up early so you have time to make coffee before leaving the house, or as personal as applying for a job at Google just so you can prove a point to the teacher who always called you an under-achiever. Talk to the interviewer about what excites you and keeps you happy at work. Why It Works: It always makes sense to respond in a way that shows you are motivated by your work and by accomplishing goals. In addition, this question helps a hiring manager evaluate your self-awareness. I have always wanted to ensure that my company's clients get the best customer service I can offer. (Another common variant of this interview question is, "What are you passionate about?” which also tries to determine what makes an interviewee feel excited and fulfilled.). Try to identify any trends. When you are considering how to answer the question of what motivates you at work, you can also discuss the skills you have developed through personal and professional achievements, and how these will tie into the job for which you have applied. Great managers want to learn where passion resides for an employee. Make sure the example demonstrates a time you used your motivation to add value to an organization in some way. ", What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know, Answers for Common Interview Question for Sales Positions, Best Answers for the Most Common Job Interview Questions, Sample Sales Interview Answers About Strengths and Weaknesses, 12 of the Toughest Interview Questions With Answers, Top 12 Entry-Level Interview Questions and Best Answers, Best Answers for What is Your Greatest Weakness With Examples, Answering Job Interview Questions About Strengths and Weaknesses, How to Ace Sales Interview Questions About Meeting Sales Goals, How to Describe Yourself at a Job Interview, How to Give a Good Answer to "How Did You Pick Your Major? Why It Works: This response shows the interviewer that the applicant is motivated by several factors—management, scheduling, and teamwork—and has the ability to multitask. When you answer this question, be honest. Giving an honest answer will also help you see if you are a good fit for the job and company. It’s fine to say that you’re motivated by what the company does, but you’d better know what that is and be able to point to examples from your own history to show that you’re a good fit. Whenever you go into a new job one of the very first things you need to do is to ask yourself the question - what motivates you?Quite simply, it is a … By using The Balance Careers, you accept our. Pick out the aspects of the job that make your eyes open wide and get you excited just thinking about the possibility of landing the role. Make sure you fully understand the job you are being interviewed for, and rehearse with yourself how you can ensure your experience is relevant. It's useful to know what variants could arise, so you don’t get thrown out of your stride. To help you figure out what motivates you, here are a few experiences that are commonly seen as motivating: Meeting deadlines; Learning new skills; Using creative thinking skills to make something new; Solving difficult problems; Leading a project from start to finish; Mentoring other members of a team; Example Answers to “What Motivates You?” as a co-worker. I feel it's important, both to me personally and for the company and the clients, to provide a positive customer experience. Get answers to your biggest company questions on Indeed. Here are a few examples of well-crafted responses: “As a marketer, I’ve always been motivated by creative projects, teamwork and being able to draw a connection between my efforts and the organization’s bottom line. Or, if you’re applying to a role at a startup company, you might talk about why fast paced work environments motivate you. In this case, the interviewer could infer that because the candidate is motivated by a challenge, they’ll likely perform well under pressure and help the company thrive. It’s personally challenging, it forced me to develop new skills that I never would have attempted … Every hiring manager wants to know how to keep you best motivated and excited on the job. Find 23 answers to 'What motivated you to apply for the service consultant role at capitec bank?' Hiring managers love self-motivated people. But if you are motivated by deadline-focused environments, and you are applying for a job that requires creative thinking, you may not be able to work as well. Help job seekers learn about the company by being objective and to the point. A graduate quip may pop in your head, but you’ll be better off providing a practice response describing how you want the job and how its skills support your application. If you’re applying for a managerial position, talk about how you … What motivates you to do a good job? One of the things I loved about my last job was witnessing the results of our team’s campaigns and watching as the leads we nurtured became customers. Express your passion for your field of study or talk about how this role will provide you with the career growth you have been seeking. For example, math has never been my best subject, but I opted to take calculus in college, even though it wasn’t required for my major because I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. My drive to constantly develop my customer service skills is the reason I earned top sales at my company two quarters in a row. If you're motivated by a challenging workplace, for example, you may not be the best fit for a routine data entry job. To prepare your answer, think about the jobs you have held in the past: Whether it was a successful meeting with a client, a complex project wrangled into submission, a new skill you mastered, or anything else, keep these positive moments in mind when conceptualizing your answer. Use what motivates you to your advantage. Top Answer. The feeling of accomplishment that comes with exceeding challenging goals is what drew me to a career in sales.”. “What motivates you?” is a popular open-ended question that you should be ready to answer. Review the job description and determine which job responsibilities persuaded you to apply. For example, if you liked the prospect of working at a start-up to build a new software application, you might say you’re motivated by the opportunity to create something innovative or see the tangible results from your efforts. Good answers to the question ‘what motivates you?’ A good answer to any interview question is succinct and makes use of telling detail. Some of the best advice we can give you as an internship or job seeker is to discover what motivates you. Please don't submit any personal information. This shows the interviewer that the applicant has both the hard and the soft skills required for success in the role. Easily apply to jobs with an Indeed Resume. the offered position) to be perfect for enhancing your career as you will learn a lot about your line of work and profession. There are two main reasons hiring managers ask this question: The best candidate for a job will be naturally energized by the responsibilities and experiences associated with the position. There's a big difference between the candidate who's motivated by building teams and establishing strong relationships with coworkers, and the candidate whose best day is working independently on a report that improves the company's bottom line. One that’s pretty common, but might catch you off guard, is, "What motivates you?" Address one or a few specific motivations and discuss a particular experience that demonstrates how it positively impacted your work. “Then you can tie it back to what motivates you.” For example, suppose you’re looking at a job description for a business intelligence analyst role. The hiring manager will also be seeking to discover whether the factors that motivate you are aligned with the company’s goals and with the role in which you would be working. Instead, when you answer this question, you must connect what motivates you to the job or company itself, in order to highlight how you would be a beneficial addition to the team. Some people apply for a job in a restaurant because it offers flexibility. “What motivates you?” is possibly the toughest question to answer at the interview. In this article, we'll outline several ideas to keep in mind to help you prepare your response, plus example answers that you can make your own. The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice commonly asked questions and keep a selection of anecdotal examples for each question. If a particular skill is required for the position, try to frame your answer to show you being dominant at that skill. The more specific you can be about the situation while still keeping your answer concise, the better. The best answers to interview questions about your motivation are honest, but they should also connect to the job you are going for by suggesting that you would be suited to the work. If all your motivation comes from outside … Why do you want this job? What do you like/dislike about your job? Now is the time for you to express your enthusiasm for the company, and the position to which you applied! Consider the company culture. Why It Works: The candidate is motivated both by data analysis and by being able to provide information to his team. 4. That’s why I became a nurse, and why I’m pursuing a position in pediatrics. For the hiring manager, it's important to learn whether your motivators are inline with the job's responsibilities. The most important strategy is to keep your answer relevant to the role requirements. We try to understand what motivates you, and what will make you happy in your job.. Don’t ramble. Why interviewers like this: This candidate shows the interviewer that they have a strong desire to execute the role responsibilities. After all, you spend a huge portion of your life at work. What demotivates you? It can be hard to think of a good answer for this question on the spot since it requires a bit of self-reflection. Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. Be sure to compliment the company and give a strong reason why you want to work for them. I'm extremely interested in the Human Resources Manager job. 2)How driven is he/she is to work?. We try to understand what motivates you, and what will make you happy in your job.. If you are re-entering the workforce after a period or changing jobs, use this line of questioning to express your enthusiasm for embracing new professional opportunities. Analysts analyze results; monitor variances; identify trends; recommending actions to management. Once the initial excitement from a new job fades out, many financial analysts will struggle with motivation in work. Research the position. If the company emphasizes the camaraderie of its staff, for example, you might mention how achieving goals as a group motivates you. Maybe you enjoy having the ability to assist others or putting your creative skills to use. You also want to avoid answers that emphasize the job's perks, from health insurance to free lunches, or make it seem like the real appeal is employment and a paycheck. If relevant, tell them that learning on the job helps you grow not just professionally, but personally, as well. Having searched for a job, found one advertised and you applied for it, the question why you applied sounds so obvious. Keep it positive. When answering this question, be sure to be as specific as possible, provide real-life examples and tie your answer back to the job role. For instance, if the company’s mission is to connect the world through social media, you might share a story about a personal or professional connection you made through the platform and discuss why that inspires you to contribute to their success. "What motivates me the most in my career is becoming the best in my field, and as a result having the opportunity to make an impact on a greater scale. It creates the sense that if another firm paid you higher, you would leave without looking back. Most interviewers want to know how much you have researched the organization and role, as very few candidates have done no research whatsoever. And during a job interview, this question can start to uncover what those motivating factors are. What strategies would you use to motivate your team. Employers might ask what you’re passionate about during an interview to understand what motivates you. Analysts analyze results; monitor variances; identify trends; recommending actions to management. By showing their willingness to provide quality care in order to see others succeed, the candidate indicates how their motivation makes them a passionate and dependable employee. When looking at what motivates care workers, it often came down to two themes – the desire to help others and a desire to retire securely, however there were also other unique motivations. After all, you spend a huge portion of your life at work. For example, perhaps you saved a company money, completed a project ahead of schedule, or solved a problem for an employee. In asking this question, interviewers hope to figure out what makes you tick. A candidate who can quickly provide a well-crafted, natural explanation of what keeps them motivated on the job is someone who is likely also a self-starter and knows how to stay on track. For example, if you say that you are driven by results, give an example of a time you set a goal and met (or exceeded) it. When looking at what motivates care workers, it often came down to two themes – the desire to help others and a desire to retire securely, however there were also other unique motivations. They also want to determine whether your motivators will be a fit for the job's duties and the company's culture. If you tailor your answer to exactly what you think the employer wants to hear, you will likely come off as insincere. As mentioned, the two key angles in this question are your interest in the company/industry, and your interest in the job. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you formulate your response: Take a moment to reflect on your professional history and what you considered fulfilling about each job. When you respond, it’s best to focus on work-related motivators. If you have a series of job interviews lined up, you might quickly find yourself in this hypothetical situation. Even if the job you’re applying for has you working on a team, hiring managers want to know that you’re strong enough on your own to complete the tasks assigned to you. And getting the job done correctly and the fulfillment of accomplishing the reports or projects on time. Employers usually ask job applicants a variety of interview questions, many of which require more than a yes or no answer.These sorts of questions allow employers to assess your ability to answer honestly and quickly. The answer you give to the 'What motivates you' question is important because it gives employers an idea of what kind of employee you will be. A teacher, for example, may draw motivation from helping students learn something new and witnessing them excel. Their specific example conveys their depth of experience with and passion for the job. Guidelines . What prompted you to apply for the role when you read the job description? You might want to include an example from your previous job to explain the kinds of projects or tasks that motivate you. What should you wear to an interview at Capitec Bank? For example, if you’re interviewing for a recruiter position, you might briefly discuss your previous struggles with finding the right job and how that further motivates you to help others in their job search. That way, when you wake up in the morning, you’re not immediately running through a thousand different scenarios in your head, anxious about all the things you have to do. Show How You're Qualified: The interview is an opportunity to sell your qualifications to the hiring manager. Don’t make it about you. Providing insight into the forces that motivate you at work can be a window into your personality and work style, thereby helping your interviewers understand you as both a person and a potential employee. The more you know about the organizational goals of the employer, the better equipped you’ll be to respond. In addition, it’s always helpful to include how your motivations would drive your future with the company. “Then you can tie it back to what motivates you.” For example, suppose you’re looking at a job description for a business intelligence analyst role. Your career goals and plans for the future 2. Sample Answers to "What Motivates You" With all of this in mind, some good answers might be: Practice a Response: If you write out some ideas of what motivates you, it will make it easier to answer the question during the interview. A highly motivated workforce ensures healthy and prosperous work environments and overall, a stellar growth for the organizations. If you don’t know much about the company culture, do some research before your interview to learn as much as you can. For example, if you liked the prospect of working at a start-up to build a new software application, you might say you’re motivated by the opportunity to create something innovative or see the tangible results from your efforts. Example Answers for “What Motivates You” Now let’s look at some word-for-word answer examples for “what motivates you?”… Interviewer: “What motivates you to come to work each day?” You: “I like challenging myself and advancing on a personal level. Both candidates bring with them strong advantages, and this question can help interviewers narrow their pool down to the individual who is the best fit for the position and the company. By identifying and expanding on your motivations, you can leave the interviewer with a positive impression and clearer expectation of how you’ll be as an employee. Review the job description and determine which job responsibilities persuaded you to apply. “Why do you apply for this job?” This is one of the most common interview questions, but it is one of the easiest to answer. The interviewer is looking for insight into why and how you are motivated to achieve workplace goals and succeed at the job. State that you enjoy learning and building up your knowledge. Why interviewers like this: This answer shows that the candidate is intrinsically motivated which is especially useful in fields such as the medical industry which can be physically and emotionally taxing. Share an example. What motivates you to learn new things? While interviewers generally aren’t trying to fool you, there are a few tricky situations to be aware of when answering this question. Here’s why this type of answer will impress the interviewer: You’re showing them you understand the job and took some time to research. Being able to provide that essential information is really motivating. If possible, discuss how your personal passion relates to your professional motivation. Related: What to Wear: The Best Job Interview Attire. One open-ended question you can expect is “Why are you interested in this position?” If what motivates you is to teach students who struggle with learning, don’t just say you are motivated to help all children learn. Or, to put it another way, ‘What motivates me – why do I like this sort of work?’ When preparing your answers to motivation question, think about what you like about a particular job, you need to look at the duties of the job very carefully. Submit Answer. The data from these reports help drive and determine how the company charts its next steps and makes sales goals for the following months. An HR would be keen to know what really drives you as an individual. What really motivates you and how to prepare for motivation questions? Answer. The more specific you can be about the situation while still keeping your answer concise, the better. I like it when I have a concrete goal to meet and enough time to figure out a strong strategy for accomplishing it. We know you’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: You should love your job. ", How to Describe Your Work Pace During a Job Interview, Tips for Answering Interview Questions About Your Weaknesses, Tips for Answering Interview Questions About Failure, How to Answer Interview Questions About Leaving Your Job, Job Interview Question: 'What Do You Hope to Accomplish Here? Asked by Wiki User. Be self-motivated. This shows interviewers that you may have a deeper dedication to the role. When preparing your answer, also think about the skills and abilities that will be the most useful for this job.