Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work for us? What do you say is your biggest weakness? What motivates you to do a good job at work? If you know the feeling of being put through the wringer, just imagine your prospects of landing your dream job hinging upon your answers to these interview questions.
Yes, job interviews can make you feel nervous, but being prepared can help a lot. In this blog, we’ll talk about common interview questions to help you be ready and confident. Our goal is to give you the information you need to ace your interview. So, let’s start this journey together and find out how to make your next job interview feel more comfortable and successful.
What are the Top Questions Asked During Job Interviews?
Right off the bat, here are the most common questions asked during job interviews:
- Tell me about yourself. When interviewers want you to tell something about yourself, they are actually asking for professional details relevant to their company and your target position. Keep it brief and highlight your professional background.
- Why do you want to work for this company? Your answer to this gives your audience an idea on whether you’re passionate about the work or if you’re simply there because you need a job. Show that you’re interested in the company and that you have done your research.
- What are your greatest strengths? Employers ask this to gauge how well your strengths match the integral skills required for the role. Thus, highlight your skills and abilities relevant to the job.
- What is your biggest weakness? Employers ask this to get a sense of what areas you need to work on and how honest you are with yourself. So, show self-awareness and honesty. You may mention an aspect of yourself that you’re currently working on.
- What motivates you to do a good job? Interviewers want to know what drives you to succeed and how you stay motivated. Therefore, focus your answer on what drives you professionally. Make sure that your response aligns with the company’s goals.
“What Motivates You to Do a Good Job at Work?”
Let’s focus on this question. Motivation is our inner drive. It pushes us to work even harder to strive for excellence, and achieve our goals. It is influenced by our personal values, interests, and experiences.
Our common motivators can be our desire in achieving things or learning new skills. It can be contributing to or leading a team, or the opportunity to work independently. Being acknowledged or validated can also be one of our immense sources of motivation.
But what exactly is the reason that recruiters ask this interview question?
Why do Interviewers Ask “What Motivates You?”
When interviewers ask, “What motivates you to do a good job?” they not only want to know more about you; they also want to understand you better at work. It’s like trying to figure out what makes your work engines run. This question is important for three main reasons:
- Matching Values: Employers want to see if what motivates you lines up with what the company cares about. Think of it like having the same values in a relationship – it usually leads to a happier and more successful partnership.
- Checking Your Work Style: How you respond to the interview questions helps them see if you’re the kind of person who stays dedicated and works hard, even when things get tough. This is appealing to employers because it shows you’re reliable.
- Fit with the Job and Company: It’s not just about the job itself; they also want to know if you’re a good fit for the company’s culture. Your motivation should match what the job needs. Plus, if your motivation fits with the company’s overall vibe and values, it means you’ll likely fit in as a part of a team and contribute positively.
So, this motivation question isn’t just about qualifications; it’s also about whether you and the job and company are a great match.
How to Answer the Question “What Motivates You to Do a Good Job?”
- Be specific and provide examples. Use examples from your previous jobs to demonstrate your biggest motivation. For example, if you are motivated by problem-solving, you can share a situation where you played an integral role behind the resolution of a complex issue.
- Align your answer with company goals. The hiring manager wants to know if what motivates you aligns with the company’s culture and the job’s responsibilities. So, for example if the company values innovation, you could say that learning new technologies drives you to implement innovative solutions.
- Avoid certain topics. While honesty is important, avoid saying that money is your primary motivator. Also, do not mention short-term goals that might lead you to leave the company once they’re fulfilled.
Specific Sample Answers to the Question “What Motivates You?”
Motivation is the fuel that keeps us going at work. Nonetheless, what gets us excited and working hard can be very different depending on the job role. Let’s take a look at how motivation changes in different types of jobs and check out some sample answers to the question “What motivates me to do a good job?” based on these different industries.
“What motivates you as a cabin crew?”
For cabin crews, they can be motivated by the:
- Opportunity to provide excellent customer service and make passengers feel safe and comfortable during their flight.
- Chance to learn new cultures and meet people from all over the world.
- Challenge and responsibility of ensuring the safety of passengers and crew members.
“What motivates you as a customer service representative?”
For customer service representatives, they strive for the:
- Opportunity to help clients resolve their issues and foster good customer relations.
- Chance to work with a team of dedicated professionals who are all committed to providing excellent customer service.
- Challenge of learning new things and solving problems by finding creative solutions.
“What motivates you as a healthcare professional?”
For healthcare specialists, can be inspired by the:
- Opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.
- Chance to lead a team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals.
- Challenge of keeping up with the latest medical advances and providing the best possible health care to patients.
“What motivates you as a retail professional?”
For retail professionals, they can be driven by the:
- Opportunity to interact with customers and help them find the products they need.
- Chance to work with a team of friendly and helpful colleagues.
- Challenge of meeting sales goals and providing a positive customer experience.
Navigate Your Job Search Journey with the Help of Our Career Experts
Now is the time to go after that job that not only fits your skills but also connects with what you personally and professionally want to achieve. It’s about showing that you’re fully committed not just to doing the tasks required for the job, but also to supporting the big goals and values that the company deeply cares about.
To stand out in your job interview, think about creating a thoughtful opening statement that sums up your motivation and dedication. We can help you write this powerful introduction today! Your opening statement will effectively set the stage for the rest of your interview. Leave a strong first impression on the people who might hire you and connect with us today!
