A fast answer with a generic response isnt going to win you any points. Reflect on your past experiences to figure out what motivates you. Why It Works: It always makes sense to respond in a way that shows you are motivated by your work and by accomplishing goals. These generally include motivations relating to interactions with others. Micromanagement. Do you love the sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a big project on time and under budget? I believe I am at my best at work when I have responsibility for important deadlines because this gives me a great sense of achievement. At my current position, I prepare the monthly analytics report around sales. I recognize the best way for me to realize these personal goals is to be a top performer at work and deliver value for the company. Make a list of all the things about the job you find appealing, and try to understand why they appeal to you. Or perhaps there are job duties or types of work that light your fire? Why It Works: With this answer, the candidate focuses on why customer service is important, how they develop their skills, as well as how they achieve positive results. Where possible, provide specific examples from a previous job. Job insecurity. 3. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers. Focus on the positive when you respond. Perhaps youre feeling stalled in your current job, and are looking to move back a step or two to get new skills and experience. What kind of interview questions do you ask applicants? I welcome projects at work that challenge my existing skillset and require further learning and development, and I frequently study at home to meet these challenges. Achieving each milestone motivated me to keep working and helped me to ensure that the event ran smoothly. "Waking up in the morning knowing I'm going to spend the majority of my day in an office instead of with my family or doing things I enjoy.". This week Read More. When you've identified a few things that help you keep a positive attitude, twist them into their opposites to find your demotivating factors. Jobcase. Required fields are marked *. Instead, there are good things and bad things about each communication style. Connect your answer to your potential future role. After all, most people are motivated by many factors, including pay, prestige, making a difference, seeing results, and interacting with interesting people. Namely, its asking, What motivates you in life? and What motivates you at work?. I also find being given a challenging workload to be motivating. I also encourage members of my team to continually learn and develop because if my team is learning, then our value to the company is growing. Does overqualified necessarily have to translate to disqualified? Asking the same question or variations of the same question at different times throughout the interview is a simple but useful interview strategy. The more enthusiasm you have for what motivates you, the more enthusiasm the hiring manager will have for you. Memorize them, because a favorite interview question is, What is your favorite leadership principle? or Which leadership principle do you resonate most with?The first Amazon leadership principle is Customer ObsessionI recommend that everyone, no matter what role theyre interviewing for, prepare answers for the customer obsession questions. They are asking you to explain why you are the best candidate for the position. (What I Learned About Work By Winning The Lottery: Part 2) If management stopped demotivating their employees then they wouldnt have to worry so much about motivating them. W. Edwards Deming If you read my blog post last week you know that I was the winner of The Listserve email lottery and as a result had the opportunity to ask 5 questions to a diverse group of 25,000 strangers. What if you are not selected? When you tell stories about what you do that highlight what you enjoy, what specifically do you tell people about? Focus your response on the motivators that are the closest match to the employers job requirements. Provide an example of a time when you needed to motivate a team. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page. The tech world changes so quickly, and I enjoy spending time exploring whats on the horizon and figuring out how I can harness emerging technologies to improve my workplace or assist customers., What motivates me at work is knowing that I can reach someone on an emotional level in just 30 seconds with a commercial or even a quick glance with a print ad. Another key driver for me personally is training or helping colleagues to grow and improve. When interviewers ask this question, what they really want . How to Handle Those Awful Job Interview Questions, How to Handle Difficult Questions in an Interview, How to Look for a Job While Holding Another, Forbes: 8 Common Causes of Workplace Demotivation, Lifehack: 10 Reasons Why Youre Demotivated and How to Overcome It, How to Answer Job Interview Questions if the Interview Is Going Badly, How to Not Let Your Job Take Over Your Life. At my last job, our yearly goals were very aggressive, but I worked with my manager and the rest of my team to figure out a month-by-month strategy for meeting the year-end numbers. What motivates you to work for this company? The hiring manager will also be seeking to discover whether the factors that motivate you are aligned with the companys goals and with the role in which you would be working. Without a clear understanding of expectations, employees may become confused and frustrated, leading to a decrease in motivation and productivity. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others. Responsibility disclaimer and privacy policy. (Another common variant of this interview question is, "What are you passionate about? which also tries to determine what makes an interviewee feel excited and fulfilled.). Asking you what motivates you is a very common job interview question and is asked to understand your intrinsic motivation. So what does this Amazon leadership principle mean? Thats what sustains me at work, and it will likely do so for the rest of my career.. Think about the things that attracted you to this profession, besides the salary. As a high-performing, professional salesperson, I am deeply motivated by ambitious targets. I also get a great deal of motivation from completing meaningful work as part of a team and helping my team members to achieve their best. The more you know about the organizational goals of the employer, the better equipped youll be to respond. I am also motivated by achieving great results at work. This can apply to most professional skills which seek to solve complex problems for a business. As this is all new territory for companies, they may not have a clear answer just yet, but from this question, youll learn about the companys openness to change in work environments and whether theyre candid about not knowing something. Based on Lifehack, stress or fear is really a major offender behind demotivation at the office, also it originates from many sources. However, that also makes it an excellent opportunity. Questions about age, unless used to verify that applicants meet any age-related legal requirements for the job. Do not provide short-term goals that, once fulfilled, will cause you to leave. Lack of progress. So, what motivates you to do a great job at work? Is it because they want to see job seekers stumble? I have several sources of motivation that drive me to achieve at work. Ask yourself the following questions to formulate a great response when asked what motivates you: 1. The most straightforward way to answer these questions is by using the STAR method technique. Now that weve covered some good motivators and what not to say, its time to talk strategy. When employers ask interview questions about what motivates you to work, you need to show them that you're not just coming to work for the paycheck. Also, anticipate common questions like this and have a detailed answer prepared that shows a strong desire to work for the company long-term. I was able to easily answer "What motivates you?" but I was not prepared at all to answer the follow up question "What demotivates you?" I was nearly speechless and I stumbled for an answer. There are many factors that can lead to demotivation in the workplace, such as lack of recognition, poor working conditions, inadequate rewards, lack of job security, and lack of clear direction. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Being recognized by managers for the work that you do can help you stay motivated to do your work and improve. I like to have a clear, important goal to work toward and get excited about. ", Interview Question: "Why Are You Looking for a New Job? Video advice: Job Interview Question - Tell Me About Yourself? Sounds stressful right? 2. What motivates you to get up in the morning? But an employer will not always use such direct questions when they want to know about your motivations. Good answers to the question 'what motivates you? While ambition isnt inherently wrong, you need to phrase it carefully if you dont want to raise any red flags. The issue is that motivation is often highly personal. If you dont know much about the company culture, do some research before your interview to learn as much as you can. Remember to answer each interview question behaviorally, whether it is a behavioral question or not. For example, you might be demotivated when your boss only points out your mistakes, when your co-workers ignore you when you ask for their help or when the company doesn't seem to view you as a person. Both candidates bring with them strong advantages, and this question can help interviewers narrow their pool down to the individual who is the best fit for the position and the company. It drives you to complete tasks and encourages you to keep going when times get tough. Micromanagers may have good intentions - trying to get work done well - but they drive us crazy. Hiring managers want to know that youre genuinely thinking of what motivates you. . Do you plan to have children within the next year? "I am motivated by several things. Consider the company culture. This ties into my customer service work but also applies to non-customer-facing duties. While compensation could also come into the equation, its usually best to avoid discussing money as a motivator, as coming across as only being interested in the paycheck isnt ideal. But when you havent considered what demotivates you, it may be difficult to know where you can attempt. What language(s) do you speak at home? I was able to easily answer "What motivates you?" Even if youre applying for a commission-based job, where money could motivate you to perform better, its best to leave money out of the discussion. What you can do to motivate your workers is essential. For example, if you are applying to be a manager, framing an answer around relationship building and helping others succeed and meet goals might be a stronger answer than a discussion about learning new things or working with clients. Forbes points out that it can also be hard to put in your best effort when you don't respect company leadership. To help you figure out what motivates you, here are a few experiences that are commonly seen as motivating: Meeting deadlines. While telling your future boss youre motivated by the opportunity to interact with customers might get you the job, if it turns out you actually hate dealing with people, its just going to come back to bite you. It can be hard to think of a good answer for this question on the spot since it requires a bit of self-reflection. In all my job responsibilities never shy away from hard work. / Why do you think you would be a good fit for this job? I never worked as hard on a project again. While an intrinsic motivator leads you to do something because it's innately satisfying, an extrinsic motivator gets you to complete a task because of a separate outcome. We just wanted to let you know that we have a new discord server, come join the chat! I was motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule and by managing the teams that achieved our goals. When you respond, its best to focus on work-related motivators. back in the door of your career path. What inspires you? This is a deeper question than "Tell me about a time you closed a sale.". The hiring manager needs to know that you will be a good fit for the company culture and that you will be motivated to do your best work for the company and that you are committed for the long run. Providing insight into the forces that motivate you at work can be a window into your personality and work style, thereby helping your interviewers understand you as both a person and a potential employee. See there must be some reason your marks are depreciating, if they were constantly low this question would not arise, but once they were good now bad, would raise questions about your will to work. What is it about these activities that you enjoy? But if you've never pondered what demotivates you, it can be tough to know where to even start. This is the point where you can add a few personal goals. First: Keep your initial answer clear and concise. Whether through providing support or solving a problem, I love knowing that I have helped someone else out. What did you like least about your last job? is something of atrap when it comes tointerview questions, because your interviewer is asking for a negative answer. Copyright 2022 - BDJobsToday.org. I welcome opportunities to train others and constantly seek informal opportunities to share my knowledge with colleagues. Think about your demotivating factors Visualize your typical day at work and think about all the tasks you perform daily. We aim to empower job seekers and employees through the promotion of their best interests, advice and encouragement. The only way to know a companys work arrangement plans for sure is to ask them. So it was lockdown time ,when I was relatively free and decided to speak to UPSC /ESE/GATE aspirants personally on calls instead of holding YouTube . Hiring managers want to know what you like doing and why you like doing it. Uh in simple terms. asked by suresh, 1 year ago; Key Takeaways: This answer is designed for management and team leader positions. Common Demotivating Factors at Work According to Lifehack, stress or fear is a major culprit behind demotivation at work, and it comes from many sources. The interview should be more of an informal conversation or two-way dialogue than a traditional interview. We are not for job listings. Whether its the number of leads I turn into customers, the amount of repeat business I secure, or the customer satisfaction scores after engaging with a client, I continuously strive to reach new heights. Your Answer. Think about reasonable examples of workplace frustrations. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: Implications in School, Work, and Psychological Well-Being., The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. In my personal life, I love doing the daily crossword. "I could tell you but I'm already paying someone to listen to that.". Its like daydreaming aloud. I also find one of my most valuable assets is creativity, and I am excited by opportunities to approach specific goals from new angles. While these bad answers may seem obvious, its still a tricky question, and its easy to make small mistakes when answering, including: Remember, specific examples and direct tie-ins to the position youre applying for will highlight your position as the perfect candidate and make it easier for the hiring manager to see you not just as an applicant but as a future employee. This is a trick question. In fact, its one of the most important duties you have as a boss. What makes you tick? She has contributed to sites like Bizfluent, Business 2 Community, and Inside Small Business. Why It Works: This response shows the interviewer that the applicant is motivated by several factorsmanagement, scheduling, and teamworkand has the ability to multitask. We recommend that you avoid asking applicants about personal characteristics that are protected by law, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age. Look back on everything youve done both job and career-wise so far. Where does your mind go when youre allowed to daydream? . . Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. "I'm motivated by several things in my work. By answering in an honest but thoughtful way, you can impress your interviewer and demonstrate that you are the right person for the job. 63 Exxon Mobil Interview Questions & Answers 2023 | AmbitionBox For Employers Exxon Mobil 3.6 based on 295 Reviews i Exxon Mobil overall rating is based on 295 company reviews, including all brands and wholly owned subsidiaries. This is another behavioral question and should be addressed with the STAR technique. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Now that weve gone over the subtext of what a hiring manager is actually asking you when they ask, What motivates you, lets talk about what not to say in response. Wow. Understand that Communication Styles aren't "Bad" or "Good". Again, we all know thats a major motivator, but an employer wants to see beyond that. Hiring managers know that money is part of the equation, so its not necessary to bring it up in your answer. Solving difficult problems. The interviewer may ask this question like: What demotivates you? I am jointly motivated by opportunities for learning new skills and finding creative ways to achieve ambitious goals. For a team to function to the best of its ability, all members must be fully engaged and fully committed. Lunch is one of the few times throughout the day where employees can spend their time doing exactly what they want. Category: Latest Questions. Tell about a situation where I demonstrated team spirit. How to answer the "What demotivates you?" interview question Here are the important steps that can help you prepare a suitable response to this question: 1. It will normally be asked in management or leadership roles. The easiest way to do this is to use an example from your background and experience. I am not a fan of the trite interview questions that have been around for 50 years. Here is another way of understanding it. Are you applying for a position that youll want to excel at, or are you just there for a paycheck. In the end, being part of a successful project is a deeply rewarding experience that gives me a lot of pride and satisfaction. Finally, there are career motivators. Even when you're not certain as a leader, you can be clear. I like to always have something to work towards, and I get a sense of value when I accomplish something I have set my mind to. Leadership is complex and often confusing. Use these as a jumping-off point for your own answers, and dont forget to tailor them! One of the main reasons for this and similar common interview questions is to make sure new people that are hired will remain with the company and fit with the companys culture. Giving an honest answer will also help you see if you are a good fit for the job and company. While these questions explore more than just your motivation, the best answer should explain not only why you are a good fit, but why you are motivated to excel in the position well into the future. What are the vacancies for ServiceNow certification? This goes hand-in-hand with being prepared. "Tell me about yourself" is a tricky question to prepare for because it's so open-ended. You might want to include an example from your previous job to explain the kinds of projects or tasks that motivate you. Take some time to research the company and the job prior to the interview. Be honest in your responses. This is an indirect way to ask what will make you do your hardest work in the new role. My ideal work environment is one where I am given challenging and complex problems for the company and can use data and logic to come up with new or creative solutions. Five ways you might be discouraging your staff Motivated employees are the lifeblood of business. This question requires serious self-examination, and its something you should be asking yourself long before the interviewer does. As a member, youll get leadership insights, management tips, and career advice sent directly to your inbox to help take some of the pressure off your shoulders. But do some self-reflection and come up with a clear . Just be honest with people that you're not sure about the long term course, but in the meantime, tell them the 3 things you're going to focus on. Let that enthusiasm show! Check out our discord here: https://discord.gg/jobs Companies have goals. -waking up too early/long commute hours. Similarly, focusing solely on fast promotions or rising up through the ranks as much as possible, particularly if you mention anything that alludes to loving power, its a bad move. Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. This is why I especially love tracking data.". Whatever it is, focus on that. Hiring managers love self-motivated people. Once you've figured out what motivates and interests you about the position, write them out as lists and identify any overlap between the two. Question: What did you like least about your last job? Lack of goals or frequently changing them may confuse and shift my focus. Make sure the example demonstrates a time you used your motivation to add value to an organization in some way. Be honest. What can demotivate you in the workplace? 1. Just don't hint at your frustration. If you lie to get a new job, you will be dissatisfied and leave quickly. I genuinely enjoy coaching and harnessing the potential of constructive feedback. For example, perhaps you saved a company money, completed a project ahead of schedule, or solved a problem for an employee. The question of what motivates you can help your interviewer learn about your goals and desires. There are many things that can motivate someone to pursue a career in nursing. 5. One of my biggest motivations at work is providing excellent customer service. Talk about your long-term goals and how this is a great job for working towards them. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Employers have a reputation for asking tricky questions during job interviews, but not all are meant to make you sweat. Encouraging your team to bring their best to work every single day is a job in and of itself. My previous manager gave me more and more responsibility as I proved myself, I found this very motivating." Compensation is also a good motivator for employees, but having too much or too little pay could reduce someone's productivity. Im looking for suggestions on questions to ask that really help you gauge a persons personality, drive, etc. know more Then I created my account on Scratch, and became an English-speaking online nerd. No, that isnt the case. 4. Through research with thousands of employees and leaders, we've discovered that there are five major motivations that drive people's actions at work; Achievement, Power . Nursing Healthcare. Instead, focus on the other metrics or the general drive to improve your performance. For example, you dont want to say that youre motivated because you dont want to get fired for subpar performance. Some employees constantly feel pressured due to micromanagement or a perceived lack of job security, which in turn saps enthusiasm and motivation. Answer: Give the generic reason like mismanagement of time by focussing too much on sports/extra-curricular activities or preparing for NDA exam. What motivates you? -career progression. To give a great impression during the interview, think about your demotivating factors ahead of time and answer the question aloud for good measure. One thats common, but might catch you off guard, is, "What motivates you?" How did you approach it? Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Thats part of the reason I pursued a career in technology. These two questions are basically asking the same thing as each other. Click the link below to get your copy now! I was responsible for several projects where I directed development teams and implemented repeatable processes. If you are obsessed with customers, you will:Collect data on and deeply understand what your customer wants and needsAsk, Is what Im working on helping my customers? When preparing your answer, also think about the skills and abilities that will be the most useful for this job. It shows that you welcome being outside of your comfort zone and recognize the need to constantly learn and develop your skills to stay ahead of the game. Doing meaningful work, recognition and having the tools to be successful are the most important motivators for me. "What motivates you?" is a popular open-ended question that you would be required to answer. What strategies would you use to motivate your team. This is a version of What motivates you? that is trying to make sure that the job you are applying for will be a match for you. During job interviews, it's generally best to emphasize intrinsic, not extrinsic, motivators. When were you most looking forward to a day at the office? Then talk about what motivates you. That helps create a foundation for a strong answer to this question and ones like it.