The question, “What motivates you to do a good job?” is a standard element of many job interviews. Answering it effectively requires more than a simple, one-line response. This question helps an employer determine if your work ethic and professional drivers make you a good match for the position and the company culture.
Understanding the Interviewer’s Goal
When an interviewer asks what motivates you, they are trying to understand if your sources of motivation align with the realities of the job and the company’s environment. They are assessing your self-awareness and whether you have taken the time to understand what drives you to succeed. The question also serves as a tool to gauge your cultural fit.
An interviewer is listening for an answer that suggests you will thrive in their specific workplace because your drivers are compatible with the company’s mission and values. Ultimately, the goal is to predict your job satisfaction and longevity, as an employee who is intrinsically motivated by their tasks is more likely to be successful.
How to Structure Your Answer
A well-structured response should be framed in three parts to effectively showcase your suitability for the role. This method ensures your answer is comprehensive and easy for the interviewer to follow.
First, begin with a direct statement that identifies your primary, career-focused motivator. This driver should be relevant to the position you are applying for. For instance, you could state that you are motivated by solving complex problems or by learning new skills.
Next, illustrate your motivation with a specific story from a previous role. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can be a helpful guide to structure this part of your answer. This demonstrates how your motivation led to a tangible, positive outcome for a past employer.
Finally, connect your motivation directly to the role or company. This shows you have done your research and understand how your personal drivers align with the organization’s goals. For example, you could mention how your passion for continuous learning aligns with the company’s commitment to professional development.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Candidates often make mistakes when answering this question that can undermine their credibility. Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Providing a generic or cliché response, such as “I’m motivated by success” or “I just like to do a good job.” These answers are too vague and fail to offer any real insight into your personality or work style.
- Focusing on extrinsic rewards like salary, benefits, or perks. While these are important factors, mentioning them can make you appear self-serving. Interviewers want to hear about what drives your performance, not what you stand to gain personally.
- Making your answer overly personal or completely unrelated to a professional context. Stories about personal hobbies are often irrelevant unless you can skillfully tie them back to your professional capabilities.
- Giving a one-word answer. Simply stating “challenges” or “people” without any context or explanation is a missed opportunity. Your answer lacks depth without a supporting example or a connection to the role.
Examples of Strong Answers
Motivation by Problem-Solving and Achievement
“I’m deeply motivated by the challenge of untangling complex problems. In my previous role as a software developer, our team was tasked with improving the performance of a key application that was experiencing significant lag. I took the lead on profiling the codebase and discovered a major bottleneck in a database query. By redesigning the query and implementing a new caching mechanism, I was able to improve the application’s response time by 50%. The satisfaction of diagnosing the issue and delivering a concrete improvement is what truly drives my work, and I’m excited by the opportunity to tackle similar technical challenges here.”
This answer is effective because it links motivation to a specific, quantifiable achievement, demonstrating clear value.
Motivation by Learning and Growth
“I am driven by the opportunity to learn new things and continuously expand my skill set. In my last position, I voluntarily took on responsibilities outside of my core function to learn about project management. This was incredibly fulfilling, and I found that I was constantly growing and evolving in my role. I was particularly drawn to your company because of its strong emphasis on professional development and providing new challenges for employees. I am eager to bring my enthusiasm for learning to your team.”
This response works well by showcasing a proactive attitude toward growth. It also shows the candidate has researched the company culture and sees an alignment.
Motivation by Collaboration and Contribution
“I find great motivation in being part of a collaborative team and contributing to a shared goal. In college, while I was capable of working independently, I always performed best on group projects. I enjoy the process of brainstorming with others, leveraging different strengths, and working together to achieve a result that’s better than what any one person could do alone. That’s why I was so interested in this role; the job description emphasizes teamwork and cross-departmental projects, which is an environment where I know I can thrive and contribute effectively.”
This example is strong because it connects a preference for teamwork directly to the job description. This shows a clear alignment between the candidate’s work style and the role.
Motivation by Company Mission and Values
“I’m motivated by the opportunity to feel that my work is making a positive impact on a larger scale. I’ve been following your company for a while and am deeply impressed by your commitment to sustainability and conservation. That dedication to making a difference is something I’m very passionate about in my own life. Knowing that my daily tasks would contribute to a mission I believe in is a powerful driver for me, and it’s what makes me so excited about this specific opportunity.”
This answer succeeds by demonstrating a genuine connection to the company’s mission. It shows the candidate is motivated by more than the job itself, suggesting a strong cultural fit.