What Motivates You? — How to Answer This Key Interview Question
During a job interview, one question almost always comes up: “What motivates you?” At first, this question seems easy, but many people find it hard to answer clearly and in a personal way. This question is important because interviewers want to know who you really are, how you work, and if you will fit well in the job and the company.
Motivation is not just about what makes you happy at work. It’s about the deeper reason behind your energy, passion, and dedication—especially in a job. Your motivation could come from helping others, solving problems, learning new things, or working with a good team.
In this article, you will learn why interviewers ask this question, how to find your true motivation, and how to answer it well with real examples. By the end, you will be ready to give a confident and honest answer that makes you stand out and helps you get closer to your dream job.
What Does Motivation Mean in Interviews?
In interviews, motivation means the source of your energy and passion at work. It’s not just about what makes you happy. But what keeps you committed and engaged by being practical.
Motivation can come from things like:
- Helping others
- Solving tough problems
- Learning new skills
- Being part of a team
- Seeing your work make a real difference
There is no one right answer because motivation is personal. But knowing your motivation helps you explain why you do a good job.
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Why Do Interviewers Ask, “What Motivates You?”
Interviewers asks, “What motivates you?” in a job interview, because they want to know what makes you want to work hard and do a good job.
It’s not just about what makes you happy — it’s about what gives you energy to keep going, especially when work is tough.
What the interviewer really wants to know:
- What Drives You
They want to understand what pushes you to do your best. Is it finishing goals, helping people, learning new things, or working with others? Your answer shows what keeps you motivated every day. - If You Fit the Job
They want to see if what motivates you matches the job you’re applying for. For example, if you like solving problems and the job needs that, that’s a good match. - How Well You Know Yourself
Being able to explain your motivation shows that you understand yourself well and know how to stay focused. - How You’ll Perform
If your motivation fits the job, the interviewer thinks you’ll work hard, handle problems, and stay longer with the company.
How Interviewers May Ask This Question Differently
Sometimes, they ask the same question in other ways, like:
- What makes you do your best work?
- And what drives you every day?
- What do you care about most in your job?
- Why do you like coming to work?
Knowing this helps you answer well no matter how they ask.
So, when you answer, think about:
- What really makes you excited to work
- What helps you keep going when things get hard
- How your motivation fits this job
💡 10 Smart Answers to “What Motivates You to Do a Good Job”
| Motivation | Smart Answer Example |
|---|---|
| Helping Others | “I’m motivated by helping others. In my last job, I helped new customers understand the product better. It felt good to know my work made a difference.” |
| Solving Problems | “I like solving problems. Once, I found a small mistake in our reports and made a tool that saved my team time. It made me realize I enjoy making things better.” |
| Teamwork | “Working with a team motivates me. During a project, I helped organize tasks so we could finish on time together — and that felt really rewarding.” |
| Hitting Goals | “I feel motivated when I set goals and reach them. For example, I worked to improve customer satisfaction and succeeded. That made me proud and eager for more.” |
| Learning New Things | “Learning new skills keeps me excited. During my internship, I taught myself new software, which helped the team save time and made me want to learn even more.” |
| Being Appreciated | “Getting recognized motivates me. When my manager thanked me for improving a system we use daily, I felt encouraged to keep helping and improving.” |
| Getting Organized | “I like organizing work to make things run smoothly. I once created a better way to track tasks, which reduced mistakes.” |
| Making a Difference | “Doing meaningful work motivates me. I volunteered to help kids improve reading skills, and seeing their progress reminded me that small efforts really matter.” |
| Being Trusted | “Being trusted with responsibility drives me. When my manager let me lead a project, I took care of every detail and felt proud of the results I delivered.” |
| Pushing Through Challenges | “Challenges push me to grow. I struggled with public speaking at first but kept practicing. |
What Not to Say When Asked “What Motivates You the Most” (And Why)
When you’re asked in a job interview, “What motivates you?” it’s your chance to show what drives you to do a great job. But there are some common mistakes you should avoid, or else your answer might not impress the interviewer. Think before you act so here are the top things not to say and why:
- Avoid Saying Vague Answers Like “I Just Want to Succeed”
This answer is too general. It doesn’t explain what success means to you or why you want it. Interviewers want to hear specific reasons that show your passion and how you work hard.
- Don’t Only Talk About Money or Promotions
It’s normal to want a good salary or to move up, but if you only say this, it might seem like you care only about rewards and not about doing the job well. Employers want people who enjoy their work and want to make a difference.
- Don’t Give Examples That Don’t Relate to the Job
If your answer talks about things unrelated to the position you are applying for, the interviewer may think you don’t understand the role or what it needs. Always connect your motivation to the specific job or company.
- Never Say “I Don’t Know” or Sound Unprepared
If you say you don’t know what motivates you, or if your answer seems like you’re making it up on the spot, it shows a lack of self-awareness or interest. Always prepare your answer so you can speak confidently.
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Why Knowing What Motivates You Matters When Job Hunting
Understanding what drives you is important because it helps you choose the right job where you can perform at your best. Moreover, it keeps you focused and productive, even when challenges come your way. In addition, knowing your motivation helps you work well with others and enjoy your career more, increasing the chances that you’ll stay with the company long-term.
Employers value motivated employees since they tend to be reliable and eager to grow with the company.
How to Find What Motivates You:
- First, look back at times when you felt happy or proud at work. What were you doing? What made you feel good?
- Next, find common patterns. Was it helping people, learning new skills, reaching goals, or working with a team?
- Then, connect your motivation to the job you want. For example, if you enjoy teamwork, mention how the company supports collaboration. If learning excites you, talk about their training programs.
Know Two Main Types of Motivation:
- Achievement-Focused Motivation: People motivated this way focus on reaching goals, solving problems, earning recognition, or making a meaningful impact.
- Process-Focused Motivation: Others find satisfaction in doing tasks carefully and correctly, enjoying the process itself even if results take time.
By knowing your motivation clearly, you can answer interview questions more confidently and find a job that truly fits you.
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Final Thoughts
First, tell a real story about what makes you want to work hard. This helps people see the real you. Then, explain how what drives you fits with the job and company. This shows you’ll be a good team member.
Also, learn about the company before the interview. When your answer matches their values, it feels natural and strong. Make sure what you say about your motivation fits with your other answers. This makes you look honest.
Talk about what excites you, not what tires you out. Interviewers like to hear positive reasons. Say how your motivation helped you learn new things and get better. That shows you want to grow.
Finally, be clear and honest when you speak. Being yourself helps you connect with the interviewer. If you do all this, you’ll seem passionate, dependable, and a great fit — bringing you closer to the job you want.
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