“If you are unwilling to learn no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” One of the key aspects of hiring potential candidates is the kind of motivation that one brings to the table. An HR would be keen to know what really drives you as an individual.
A tricky way to get it out would be asking, “what motivates you to do a good job?” Beyond the obvious question “why do you want this job?”, the motivation question lets the HR analyze, what is it that will keep you on the job. Also, what will sustain that passion and efficiency throughout.
Possible Answer #1
“My biggest motivation is family. They are my biggest source of inspiration and my strongest supporters as well. When I see my parents working, it gives me the drive to be like them. Their dedication to working is what motivates me to be like them. They are self-motivated individuals. Hence I try to imbibe their positivism into my life. I have learned from my father how to not give up on a tough client. The essence is to go through the grind to really know what the other person wants. This excites me to take up greater challenges and risks without the fear of failure or backing out. My mother is the source of calm confidence. Knowing exactly where to push hard and where to slow down is something I have imbibed from her. They remain, my go-to people, when I feel under the weather or less motivated.”
Possible Answer #2
“Success is what motivates me to do a good job. Knowing the fact that my hard work and perseverance will help me achieve greater professional success is what keeps me going. I feel that aligning the company’s vision and values with my own is one way to achieve that. When I know that my efforts are following the correct path, it encourages me to push more. Hence, for me, success is important both at a personal as well as at an organizational level. Motivation is seeing the organization grow which ultimately leads to personal achievement and success. There might be instances of failure or stagnation but it does not demotivate me anyhow. On the other hand, I feel re-invigorated to perform even more. The taste of success after a failure is what keeps the fire going within me no matter what the circumstance.”
Possible Answer #3
“Helping others and empowering people is what motivates me the most. It doesn’t matter whether it is a colleague, friend or relative. There are times when the people around your need that extra drive to get going. I relish the opportunity to reach out to such people. It gives me a sense of confidence and belief that I can be of some help. The idea that I might provide a solution to someone’s problem is what motivates me to do a good job. To understand and empathize with people is crucial. You do not want to make them feel inferior or incapable of solving their own problems. I simply try to show them an alternate and less resistance path as a solution to their difficulty. This not only makes them feel better but also allows them to introspect and to think logically. I try to be positive myself. This allows me to instill the same optimism onto others when they need it the most. Lending a helping hand is about making the person feel upbeat, energetic and positive.”
After having gone through the above answers, a few pointers would be essential to keep in mind. Firstly, the question is not a straightforward one. It would require a calm and collected mind to gauge exactly what the interviewer wants to get out of you. Secondly, the interviewer wants to know positive aspects which motivate you as a person. Do not show your negative side by telling him/her about things that demotivate you. Although easier said than done, this would require some practice form your end.
Going for an interview can be a stressful experience. A well-prepared person will easily come out triumphant. Keep calm, practice a few times, revise the answers and give it your best shot.
