What Motivates You?

Why interviewers ask this

Interviewers use this to assess cultural fit, self-awareness, and whether your drivers align with what the role actually offers. Generic answers kill your candidacy.

How to answer — tips

• Be specific — ‘I love solving problems’ is meaningless; ‘I’m motivated by finding the root cause of a customer complaint’ is compelling
• Connect your motivators to this specific role
• Use a real example to make it concrete
• Show alignment between what you love and what this job requires

What NOT to say

Don’t say ‘I’m motivated by money’ or ‘I just want to do a good job.’ These are either red flags or generic non-answers. Don’t mention job security as a primary motivator.

Answer structure to follow

I’m most energized when [specific condition] — for example, [real story]. In this role, I’d get to do that through [specific aspect of the job], which is a big part of why I applied.

Frequently asked variations

Should I be honest?

Yes — but honest and strategic. If you’re motivated by autonomy, that’s fine to say, but pair it with a story showing you still collaborate well.

What if multiple things motivate me?

Pick the one most relevant to this role. You can briefly mention a second, but anchor the answer on the motivator that makes you a strong fit here.

How long should my answer be?

60–90 seconds. Set up the motivator, give a quick example, connect it to the role.

Practice on video: record your answers on Employment.Media, re-record as often as you like, and share one Video Group link with employers. Get started free.