How to answer the interview question "What motivates you?"

One of the most common interview questions is "What motivates you?". On the surface, it’s a simple question. But when you dig deeper, you’ll realise it’s much more complex. As it’s so broad, it’s hard to think of a good answer on the spot. That’s why it’s best to prepare for questions like this in advance. We’re here to help you do just that.

Here's our guide on what the question means and how to answer it. We’ll cover:

• Understanding the interview question “What motivates you?”
• How to prepare your response
• Example answers
• What not to say

Interviewers ask “What motivates you?” because they want to know what drives you. It helps them figure out if you're the right fit for the job role and the company.

What the interviewer will want to hear depends on what type of candidate they’re looking for. Your answer says a lot about how you'll fit in. So, if their organisation is collaborative, they'll love it if being part of a team is what keeps you working at your best.

By thinking about what an interviewer will ask you and preparing what you’ll say, you’re already on your way to success.

To get ready for answering the real thing:

Look into the company and find out about their culture. You should also re-read the job description and tailor your answer to it. For example, if you’re applying for a role that involves repetitive tasks, it won't help to talk about how you’re motivated by new challenges.

While research will help you tweak your answer, you still need to be honest. Don’t just say what you think they want to hear. Your honest response will be the right one for a role that fits you.

Consider what you find most exciting about your workdays. Think about any jobs you've had and your time studying – it's all relevant experience.

Ask yourself “What do I enjoy doing?”. Weigh up the bits of your day you love and the parts you don’t like. Do you enjoy meeting with clients but dread endless emails? If so, talk about how you enjoy working with clients and figuring things out face-to-face.

Think about what you’re good at and what you like. Identifying your achievements will help you figure out what motivates you.

What were your strongest performing days at work or while studying? What made them great? Look back on the times you’re proud of and see if there’s a pattern to the things that drove you.

Consider what kind of environment helps you work at your best too. Do you prefer a quiet environment? Or are you more enthusiastic when in a busy office, sharing ideas with your co-workers? That’s the difference between excelling when allowed to do your thing independently or thriving in a collaborative culture.

Once you’ve worked out what your motivations are and what the interviewer will be looking for, it’s time to form an answer.

Still not sure what you’d say? That’s OK. Here are some answers to inspire you. Use them as a springboard and change them to better suit you and the role you’re applying for.

We’ve put together examples based on common motivators:

"One of my biggest motivators is results. I like to have a goal and plan how to reach it. In my last summer job, we had a goal to raise our Net Promoter Score (NPS). I read our survey feedback responses and focused on what I could do to fix common complaints. I enjoyed seeing our scores climb every week.”

This answer works well because it's focused on using results to fuel improvement. It also shows that you’re willing to be responsible for performance results.

"I always want my customers to get the best service possible. I think it's important for people to have an enjoyable experience and I want my actions to reflect well on the company. I’ve always had positive customer feedback when working in various retail jobs."

Going for a customer-facing role? This example is a great answer. It helps you show that you’ve got the right attitude for interacting with clients.

"I’m motivated by deadlines. Setting a deadline and reaching it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something. I break tasks down and make timetables to ensure I have enough time for each part. In a recent group project at university, I set due dates for individual steps which meant everything ran smoothly."

This answer works well because you’re taking responsibility for meeting deadlines. Plus, it lets you share details about how you'd organise your workload.

"I love having a problem that I’ve got to solve. Getting the right solution for a project, my coursemates or customers satisfies me. It’s extra rewarding when it’s a particularly tough problem."

If you’re applying for a role where you’ll face tricky scenarios, employers will be happy to hear about your passion for problem-solving.

"I’m motivated by working in a team. I love sharing ideas with my coursemates and bringing out the best of each other during a group project.”

A teamwork-focused answer is ideal for jobs where you’ll work in a team. It shows that you’ll suit collaborating with others.

"I put my all into learning new skills. I find it motivating to learn different ways of doing things. I'm always looking to improve."

An answer like this makes it clear how much you want to grow. Showing you’re keen to learn is great for entry-level roles in larger firms.

Employers ask about motivations to decide if someone is right for their company. A good answer will improve the likelihood you’re hired. But a bad answer will damage your chances. While every interviewer is looking for something different, there are some general no-nos.

Follow our tips to avoid the common slip-ups:

Everyone knows that one of the biggest motivators for working is money. That’s obvious. But don’t say that money motivates you to do your job. If you say this, interviewers will think you’ll leave as soon as you find a job with better pay or more perks.

Lots of different things will motivate you. That’s fine – and a good thing. But don’t ramble. Instead, stay focused on the top one or two when answering the question.

Focus on the positive reasons you want to succeed, not the negative ones. So, don't talk about how you're only motivated because you're scared of getting in trouble with your boss.

A lot of people want a positive work environment but keep it about how professional relationships help you do your job. Don’t talk about how you’re driven to finish on time to hit the gym or the pub together. If you’re motivated by others, focus on teamwork – not friendships.

Talking about what motivates you is a difficult part of an interview. But it's possible to rehearse a response for “What motivates you?” and other graduate interview questions. The best way to prepare is to look at what you enjoy at work and in your studies. Remember to keep your answers relevant, concise and positive.

Once you’ve cracked how to answer “What motivates you?”, it’s time to prepare responses for the other things interviewers will ask you.