Master the "What Motivates You" Interview question

Being a scholar beginning to face the job interview process, I am well aware of how important it is for one to get ready for the most frequent questions. A question that a lot of people don't know how to answer is "What Motivates You?" In this blog, I will give my insights and experiences to encourage other students to tackle this crucial issue with trust.

To Learn Interviewers Ask the Question

It is important before we provide some strategies for giving an answer that a clear-cut observation of the true purpose that this question serves proceeds to. I have found this question to be the one that is used by employers to:

1. Recognize the self-awareness you have
2. Check if you match with the workplace culture
3. Learn more about the company and your personal career goals
4. Recognize employees' capability to grow when assigned different roles within the organization

Understanding Your Personal Motivators

To be good answering this, we need to look at our drivers. From my experience, these are the most common motivating factors for students:

• Learning and personal growth
• Achieving academic or professional goals
• Making a positive impact on society
• Financial stability and independence
• Recognition and appreciation for hard work

Take some time to think about what excites you and keeps you going, especially during challenging times in your academic or personal life.

Research Your Answer

My personal experience in tackling the question "What motivates you?" led me to have the following conclusion with my response:

1. Be clear and sincere in revealing what has the strongest impact on you
2. Provide a case that reflects this inspiriting manner of motivation
3. Connect your drive with the position you are applying for

The way in which I would answer this question is:

"I tutor, the main source of my motivation is the opportunity to learn and enhancement. For example, last semester, I undertook a project that I was not familiar with and did a lot of research. Although it was tough at the beginning, I still wanted to gain more knowledge, so, of course, I went through it. As a result, the project was successful, and in addition to that, I was introduced to a brand-new area of interest. I feel thrilled at the thought of contributing my enthusiasm for learning and my hard work to your company, where I can write software while I am also able to grow my strengths."

Scenarios to Look at

From my research, in discussions I had with career advisors, studying& advice, I fixed out what the most frequent reason for which people give bad answers is:

• Giving rather typical answers sans the personal examples
• Focusing only on extrinsic motivators e.g. money or status
• Giving an answer that is not in line with the company's values or culture
• Talking too much or giving an overly long answer

Implication

The "What motivates you" interview question is a skill that will one day make you very distinct among the others. By introspecting your personal motivations, well framing your answer, and avoiding the most common mistakes, you can be sure to outcast you interviewer and prove your ability as a valuable team member.

By being authentic you give the right impression and thus stand out from the rest of the group of interviewees. You shall remember and be proud of your personal experiences and aspirations as a student. Celebrate them and make your motivations come out in your answer. We hope you succeed in your future job interviews!

Frequently Asked Questions About "What Motivates You?" Interview Question

1. Why do interviewers ask "What motivates you?"

Since this question is about your sources of inspiration, recruiting managers require you to reveal your characters of personality and if you would fit in the company culture; as a basic first step, they may ask you for an essay about being in a situation you were proud of, you're aware of this.

2. How should I answer the "What motivates you?" question?

I am used to being rather on the point and honest about things. The focus is on intrinsic motivators like personal growth, problem-solving, or helping others. I also make an attempt to link my motivations to the job requirements and the company values.

3. What are some good examples of motivators to mention?

I find that the most important motivators to pick out are reaching one's goals, learning qualitative skills, overcoming obstacles or challenges, working with highly talented teammates, making a difference, and being an artist of company success. The key is to select those that really resonate with you.

4. Should I mention money as a motivator in my answer?

In my view, while financial security is crucial, it is beneficial to refrain from pointing out the materialistic. I would rather focus on factors such as self-improvement, job satisfaction, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the company.

5. How can I prepare for the "What motivates you?" question?

To get ready I monitor myself against my performance, remembering the times my adrenaline was up due to problems associated with my colleagues, and I include the topic they want to discuss. In addition, I am also researching the company information to match my motivations with their values and goals.

6. Is it okay to have multiple motivators in my answer?

Sure, I am of the opinion that expressing more than one motivator is okay. In fact, I feel that it may show depth and self-awareness. However, I make sure that the most pertinent motivators come first and then explain how they move me in the position and how excited I am about it.

7. How long should my answer to "What motivates you?" be?

I aim for my answer to be concise but still to the point, that is to say usually around 30 seconds to one minute. I normally buckle down and narrow my list to let's say "a few" - just one or two key motivators and provide prompt and pointed examples to go along. It is all about getting your interviewer curious while still being able to ask follow-up questions.

8. Can my answer to "What motivates you?" vary for different jobs?

Definitely, the main answer has to be adapted for each separate job people are interested in. While my core motivations remain the same, I see all the issues from the role's/company's perspective and I only stress the ones that are the most pertinent to the interview process. Thus, I display the fact that I am wholeheartedly involved in the job and the knowledge of the position I am requesting.

9. What if I'm not sure what motivates me?

If I'm puzzled, I try to reinterpret it by analyzing my own story. I think of the proud moments, levels of accomplishment in the past and I look at the activities that I truly enjoy. I also set for myself some long-term goals and what are the drivers that will keep me going after them are what I think about. This approach helps me uncover true personal motivators.

10. How can I make my answer to "What motivates you?" stand out?

To make my answer standout, I tell different episodes of my experience how the causes of my motivation that are strong have caused me to change and progress for the better. Besides, I intertwine my motivators and the company's mission or values, explaining how they correspond to the company's purpose.

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