what motivates you the most essay

10 Smart Answers to “What Motivates You?”

By Status.net Editorial Team on April 21, 2023 — 9 minutes to read

Why Do They Ask “What Motivates You?”

When an interviewer asks you about your motivation, they want to understand how passionate and committed you are to their company and the job opportunity. They are looking to gauge if you genuinely care about the work and if you will fit well within their team and culture. Your answer should be genuine and specific, highlighting your unique motivators and how they relate to the position you are applying for.

10 Example Answers to “What Motivates You?”

I’m motivated by the opportunity to learn and grow in my career. I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself and expand my skill set, and I find that being in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment helps me do that. I’m also motivated by the chance to collaborate with talented colleagues and contribute to a team effort that produces great results.”

“For me, motivation comes from feeling like I’m making a difference. Whether it’s through providing excellent customer service, creating innovative solutions to problems, or simply being a supportive team member, I find that I’m most energized when I feel like my work is having a positive impact. That’s why I’m drawn to companies that have a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.”

“As someone who is naturally curious and loves to explore new ideas, I’m motivated by the opportunity to innovate and create. Whether it’s developing new products, designing new processes, or finding more efficient ways to do things, I’m always looking for ways to push the envelope and come up with something new and exciting. I find that this kind of work keeps me engaged and inspired.”

“One of the things that motivates me most is the chance to take on new challenges and push myself out of my comfort zone. I thrive on the adrenaline rush that comes with tackling something difficult and succeeding against the odds. Whether it’s taking on a new project, working with a new team, or learning a new skill, I’m always eager to take on new challenges and prove myself.”

“What motivates me is the desire to achieve my goals and fulfill my potential. I’m driven by a sense of ambition and a desire to succeed, and I’m always looking for ways to improve myself and my performance. Whether it’s through setting and achieving personal or professional goals, or simply striving to be the best version of myself, I find that this kind of drive keeps me focused and motivated.”

“I’m motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world. Whether it’s through my work directly or through the company’s mission, I find that I’m most energized when I feel like I’m contributing to something bigger than myself. I want to be part of an organization that is making a difference and creating a better future for everyone.”

“For me, motivation comes from the chance to develop meaningful relationships with my colleagues and clients. I’m a people person at heart, and I find that working with others who share my values and goals is incredibly fulfilling. I want to be part of a team that is supportive, collaborative, and committed to achieving great things together.”

“I’m motivated by the opportunity to continuously learn and improve. Whether it’s through formal training programs or on-the-job experience, I’m always looking for ways to expand my knowledge and skills. I want to work for a company that values professional development and encourages its employees to grow and evolve over time.”

“As someone who is passionate about innovation and creativity, I’m motivated by the chance to work on projects that are truly groundbreaking. I want to be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and creating solutions that are truly innovative and impactful.”

Example 10:

“For me, motivation comes from the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with achieving a difficult goal. Whether it’s hitting a sales target, completing a complex project, or overcoming a personal challenge, I find that I’m most motivated when I have a clear goal in mind and a plan for achieving it.”

How to Answer “What Motivates You?”

Step 1: identify your motivations.

By identifying your key motivations, you’ll be able to provide a compelling response during your interview.

Personal Values

Reflect on your core beliefs and principles, and consider how they drive your actions and decisions. Here are some common personal values:

• Self-improvement

Think about which ones align with your personality and the role you’re applying for. Describe how these values fuel your motivation and commitment to the job.

Career Goals

Consider the long-term objectives you’re working towards in your professional life. Be specific about your desired achievements and how they relate to the role you’re interviewing for. Some examples of career goals could be:

• Acquiring new technical skills
• Developing leadership skills
• Contributing to a specific industry

Link these goals to the company’s mission, and express how this role will help you grow professionally and contribute to the organization.

Interests and Passions

Identify what you’re genuinely passionate about, both inside and outside of work, and connect these interests to the position you’re applying for. Here are some questions to help you introspect:

• What topics of conversation energize you?
• Which tasks and projects bring out your enthusiasm?

Step 2: Tailor Your Answer to the Job

Try to tailor your response to the specific job you’re applying for. Consider the key responsibilities, company culture, and overall mission of the organization.

Begin by researching the company and its values. This information can typically be found on the company’s website, social media profiles, or through online reviews. Pay special attention to the language used in the job description – it may indicate some of the top skills and values the company is looking for.

Next, reflect on your personal motivations and how they align with the job requirements. Make a list of the aspects of the position that genuinely excite you, and focus on these in your response.

1) Motivator:  Interest in the field

Sample Answer:  “One thing that motivates me is my genuine passion for the industry. I’ve always been fascinated by the way technology impacts our daily lives, and I’m excited to be part of a team that’s shaping its future. I find that this passion drives me to stay focused and committed to my work.”

2) Motivator:  Professional growth

Sample Answer:  “What truly motivates me is the opportunity for personal and professional growth. I enjoy taking on new challenges and expanding my skill set. Knowing that I’m constantly improving and contributing value to the team gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”

3) Motivator:  Helping others

Sample Answer:  “I’ve always been motivated by the desire to help others. In my previous role, I took pride in knowing that my work made a positive impact on my clients’ lives. This not only gave me a sense of fulfillment but also encouraged me to go above and beyond in my tasks.”

Step 3: Include Specific Examples

If applicable, you can provide specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your motivation. By doing so, you give the interviewer a clear and authentic picture of your work ethic and what drives you to succeed.

To begin, think about a time when you were particularly motivated to achieve a goal, finish a project or overcome a challenge. Describe the situation, what motivated you, and the steps you took to reach your objective. Remember to focus on aspects that can be applied universally, such as personal growth or helping others, rather than individual circumstances.

When crafting your answer, use the STAR method:

• Situation : Describe the context or background of the event.
• Task : Explain your responsibility or goal in that situation.
• Action : Detail the steps you took to approach the task or challenge.
• Result : Share the positive outcome of your actions, and how it demonstrates your motivation.

For example, if you’re motivated by helping others, you might say:

“In my previous role as a customer support specialist, I was motivated by finding solutions to customer issues and ensuring they had a positive experience with our company. One day, I encountered a particularly challenging issue that required me to work closely with multiple departments to find a resolution. Seeing the gratitude in the customer’s response when we resolved the issue was incredibly rewarding and further motivated me to work even harder in the future.”

By providing specific examples that showcase your motivation, you’ll demonstrate to the interviewer that you have a genuine passion for your work and a strong drive to excel in your career.

Step 4: Practice Your Response

Practicing your response to the question “What motivates you?” will help you feel more confident during your interview. So, once you’ve identified your motivators and examples, practice articulating your response. You can do this by speaking your answer out loud or writing it down. As you practice, focus on being concise and clear in your explanation. Avoid using filler words, such as “um,” “like,” or “you know.”

Consider practicing with a friend or family member who can provide feedback on your response. They can help you identify areas that need improvement, such as body language, tone, or clarity of your answer. Remember, your goal is to provide a strong, authentic response that showcases your unique motivations and fit for the role.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Be genuine:  Don’t try to impress the interviewer by simply stating what you think they want to hear. Instead, provide an authentic answer that truly reflects your personal motivations.
• Stay relevant:  Although you should share your genuine motivation, ensure it connects to the job or the company’s goals. This will demonstrate your potential as a valuable employee in the organization.
• Keep it concise:  Though it’s important to provide context for your motivation, avoid long-winded answers that drift off-topic. Stay focused and keep your response brief.

It’s a great idea to prepare a few examples that illustrate your motivation. This will make your response even stronger, and help convey your commitment to the role. For example, let’s suppose your motivation is your desire to contribute to meaningful projects. You might share a story about a time when you initiated or led a project that made a real difference in your previous role. Or you could mention a specific project or initiative at the company you’re interviewing for that excites you.

It’s essential to reflect on your personal motivations and connect them to the job you’re applying for. Consider how your motivations align with the company culture and values.

Tailor your response and try to use specific examples from your professional and personal life to illustrate your points. If you’re unsure what aspects to highlight, think about the desired skills and qualifications mentioned in the job description and how you have demonstrated those in the past. Don’t forget to practice your response before the interview. Good luck!

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• How to Answer “What...

How to Answer “What Motivates You?” - With Examples

11 min read · Updated on October 26, 2023

Knowing how to explain what motivates you tells an interviewer that you not only can do the job - you'll enjoy it, too

When a recruiter or hiring manager asks, “What motivates you?” it sounds like a simple-enough question and one that should be easy to answer - but this is another one of those open-ended questions that need a bit of preparation to answer effectively and keep you in the running for the job.

While there might be many things that motivate you, your answer must be crafted to align with the specific position you're after and the company hiring you to do it.

Why do interviewers ask “What motivates you?”

This question is similar to asking  “What makes you unique?” It's meant to discover whether or not you're the right fit for the job and, more importantly, if you'll fit within that company's particular workplace  culture and goals.

It provides insight into how and why you're motivated to be a successful employee, as well as what fulfills you in your job or career, which in turn offers some additional insight into your personality and approach to work. All these things - plus your skills and experience - help the interviewer to determine whether you're the best person to hire.

It is important to remember that employers who ask what motivates you are not asking you why you've decided to pursue your career options or apply for their open position. They are simply trying to figure out your motivations and drive to do a great job, achieve your mission, and contribute to your employer's success.

“What drives you?” and other ways this question is asked

Some interviewers won't ask this specific question. You need to recognize it when it's asked in different ways, so you can still provide the answers they're after. Instead of “what motivates you?” you might hear:

What inspires you?

What drives you to meet challenges?

What excites you about your job (or about working in general)?

What drives you to be successful?

What makes you want to get up every day for work?

How to prepare an answer to “What motivates you?” 

As with all interview preparation, begin by researching the company in detail. The more you know about the company (and the position), the more you can tailor your answer to match the company's needs. Try to learn about the employer's mission and values, as that can be critical in framing your answers.

In most cases, the hiring manager is asking this in the context of your work life, not your personal life. Most importantly, don't start off with the obvious answer of “a good salary” or “excellent benefits.” It's a given that these things are generally part of everyone's motivation for taking a job and, for the right candidate, these discussions come later in the hiring process.

Possible motivations to focus on as you develop your answer

Taking on or overcoming challenges

Developing new skills

Working with others

Working independently

Having little (or more frequent) direct supervision

Being part of, or leading, a team

Teaching or mentoring others

Creating new processes or improving existing ones

Learning new things

Being innovative or creative

Having challenging goals and deadlines

Aligning your answer with the position you're seeking

As we noted, it's important to know as much as possible about the employer and the job you're seeking, so that you can tailor your response to align with the position. For example, if you're seeking a job dealing with data and analysis, you should try to include those concerns in your answer. You can find an example of this type of data-focused answer in our sample answer section below.

One way to ensure that your answer aligns with the position is to review the job description. Figure out which responsibilities seem to inspire you and build your answer around those duties. Remember to be honest with yourself as you do this, since your response will be more believable if it truly conveys your motivations.

It's also important to not stray too far from that alignment. If the job you're seeking requires a great deal of collaboration with others, then you shouldn't respond by talking about how much you love studying spreadsheets by yourself in a corner office.

Other factors to consider as you create an answer

Consider your strengths . Generally, what motivates someone is also what they're good at, so your answer can highlight skills as well as motivation.

Reflect on the past. Think back to one of your best days at work. Why was it such a good day? What were you doing? Who were you working with? What made you happiest?

Use actual examples. Sharing a specific example from your current job or a previous position means backing up your motivation with the skills that will also make you successful in the job. This often makes a recruiter sit up and take notice.

Keep it short - or as short as possible . Be sure your answer isn't too long or rambling. Keep it as short as possible while still getting across what motivates you the most.

Stay positive. Don't frame your answers using negative examples about you or about others. Share the things you enjoy doing and show how they've helped you to be an excellent employee in all your jobs.

Be honest. Hopefully, you're applying for a position that you really do feel is a good fit for your skills and abilities, as well as for what drives you to be successful. That said, it's important to be honest about your motivation for a job, or it's quite possible you won't have the job for long once your employer discovers you're not a great fit. For example, being motivated by leading a team and consistently interacting with others is not the same as being fulfilled by working mostly on your own crunching numbers or researching data. Neither is good or bad. It's just a question of which one is best for you and that specific role.

Use the STAR method . Describe your motivation examples around S ituations, T asks, A ctions, and R esults. The benefit of this method is that it can show how your motivation ultimately benefited your past company or could benefit a future one. What's more, you end up telling a story rather than just rattling off an answer. That approach can make you sound more interesting and make the interviewer more interested in you.

Practice. Share your answer with a family member or friend and get their feedback. Practicing will help you to answer confidently and concisely.

If you're interviewing for your first full-time job, talk about what motivated you while working in an internship or volunteer role. The outcome should be the same: to convey what's meaningful to you in a job and help the company to see that you'll be a motivated employee who's a good fit for their role.

Sample answers to “What motivates you?”

As you develop your answers, consider the things that attracted you to your current career or specific job. Think about why this kind of work feels right for you and how you've become even more talented over time.

Hopefully, you'll discover more about why you're after any specific position and, in turn, be able to clearly communicate that to the hiring manager or recruiter. Here are some examples to get you started:

Example of someone motivated by learning and skill development

“Learning new skills really motivates me. It's so satisfying to see myself improve as I gain more knowledge about a job or market sector. In my last job, I consistently signed up for training or courses that would grow my skill set, paying for some out of my own pocket. I really believe that ongoing learning makes you more innovative and valuable in the workplace.”

Example for someone motivated by a desire to solve problems

“ I've been coding since middle school, when I was first exposed to it. My mom is a Software Developer and helped me whenever I needed it. Coding has been “it” for me ever since and I've become an expert in Java and C++. I think about coding from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep. Solving problems with code is what challenges me, motivates me, and drives me to be successful. ”

Example for someone who loves organizing projects and activities

“ I'm addicted to planning! Being organized at work and at home drives me to make sure I have enough time to achieve my goals and give my best in all I do. It ensures that I don't overtask myself, so I can focus on doing quality work and not get burned out by working long hours on any one project. Good time management helps me to maintain consistently excellent standards.”

Example for someone who's motivated by serving others

“ Providing outstanding customer service is what drives me. I worked as a Mobile Sales Associate for a local credit union. The days were hectic with solving customer issues and answering questions. I worked hard to understand their queries and explain the how and why of our processes and operations. It really motivated me and upped my confidence whenever customers gave me a great review and a high rating.”

Example for a team player or leader

“I was a Team Lead in my last position, managing a team of 10. Our task was to improve outcomes, so the team had to work efficiently and deliver consistently accurate results. I made it my goal to streamline the team's processes and be more productive with less “busy work.” Working with a team to complete tasks accurately and ahead of schedule was and is what drives me every day. I want to help any company I'm with to always meet their bottom line.” 

Example for someone who's driven by managing successful teams

“I've been responsible for directing software development teams and implementing repeatable processes for a variety of companies. My teams achieved 100% on-time product delivery for six straight months. The challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule and successfully managing teams to reach our goals is the kind of thing that's always motivated me.”

Example for a person who's driven to get results

“I'm motivated by results. I'm always excited when I have a tangible goal to meet and enough time to develop a sound strategy to accomplish it. In my current job, we have very aggressive quarterly and yearly goals. I was tasked to work with my manager and my team to create a month-by-month strategy to meet our quarter-end and year-end numbers. Accomplishing that was a great thrill and made me even more result oriented.”

Example for a person who's motivated by data

“I love numbers. Analyzing data and providing results really drives and motivates me. I love getting my hands on a spreadsheet to figure out what's driving the numbers and sharing my conclusions. In my current position, I generate our monthly sales analytics reports. Being able to provide this essential information is really motivating because the data from these reports helps the company to determine its sales goals for the upcoming months and clarifies how the organization will move forward, and I know I've made a big contribution to that.”

Proper preparation can help you approach your interview with greater confidence

Knowing what motivates you means you can clearly and confidently convey to an interviewer that you not only have the skills to do the job but that you will also fit well with the company's culture and values. As long as you've done your research and preparation, you'll conquer your fear of this particular interview question and be ready to promote yourself as the best candidate to hire.

Your motivators are simply what you love to do and, as the saying goes, “find something you love to do and you'll never work a day in your life.”

Learn how to ace every part of your interview with our  expert interview tips , and let our free resume review make your resume shine! This article was originally written by Lisa Tynan and has been updated by Ken Chase.

Recommended reading:

Ask Amanda: How Can I Be More Confident During Interviews?

5 Tricky Interview Questions and How to Handle Them

What to Say at an Interview: 5 Boring Interview Lines to Avoid

Related Articles:

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

How to Write a Thank-You Email After Your Second Interview

Storytelling: Your Secret Career-Making Weapon

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The Admissions Strategist

How to answer “ what motivates you ” (amazing examples included).

At your job interview, everything seems to be going well. Your resume is impressive, and you have enough experience under your belt to feel confident about your qualifications.  

Suddenly, your interviewer asks, “What motivates you?” How do you respond? Do you find yourself freezing up, or furiously racking your brain for a response?  

If you have a series of job interviews lined up, you might quickly find yourself in this hypothetical situation.

The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice commonly asked questions and keep a selection of anecdotal examples for each question.

In this article, we’ll help you prepare to answer the brain-stumper, “What motivates you?”

Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?

Businesses take a lot of care in hiring people – taking on a new employee can be a risky investment.

• So, employers have to be sure that those they hire are the best suited for the work at hand.
• They also look for potential employees whose personalities and personal goals fit in well with the rest of the company.

Work experience and a great resume can get your foot in the door.

However, what employers are really looking for are people who know where to find motivation when the going gets rough.

Even dream jobs have their rough spots, where the work is boring or difficult, and can be a chore to accomplish anything.

Companies want to know how you find inspiration and continue forward even when the work isn’t fun anymore .

Neal Taparia, founder of Spider Solitaire Challenge , explains “I want to know what makes you tick. How will your motivation translate into exceptional work at my company. If you can show me you’re motivated to make a difference in my business, you’re the type of candidate I want to consider.”

Similar Questions to “What Motivates You?”

Not all interviewers use the exact words “What motivates you?” They may use a variety of different questions that all end up asking the same thing.

For that reason, you can easily modify your potential answer to fit any of the following questions:

• What makes you tick?
• What inspires you?
• What influences you to do your best work?
• What are you passionate about?
• What drives you every day to achieve better?

However they ask, the key part of the question is figuring out what drives you.

For instance, how do you keep going when things get tough? What parts of your work do you look forward to? What is the carrot you dangle in front of yourself to motivate you?

How NOT to Respond

Your resume and cover letter can get your foot in the door, but the interview makes or breaks your chances of getting the job. Therefore, it is crucial that you do not fall victim to some of these common blunders:

Don’t Talk about Money

“What motivates me is money. I mostly want to live a comfortable life without having to worry about money. I worked hard throughout school to get a well-paying job to achieve my goal. I measure my success in life by how much money I earn, and my motivation is mostly bought.”

Do not ever mention money when talking about your motivations. Money motivates everyone, to some degree.

• Ignoring that you might come across as greedy, amoral, and facetious in your answer, you also won’t set yourself apart from a vast majority of the human population.

While at your interview, you should try to put your best foot forward and differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack.

• Securing a well-paying career might fit into your overall goals, but that isn’t what businesses want to hear.
• They’d rather know how you fit into their work culture and the way you work under pressure.

In general, you likely shouldn’t bring up money during the interview.

Unless they’re offering you a job right then, salary negotiations and money talk are strictly off the table. Even if the job’s money is important to you (and it likely is), you’ll have no chance of getting that money if you practice bad interview etiquette.

Don’t Be Vague

“I’m motivated when I have goals.”

Don’t be too general when answering. This is an opportunity to open up and share something about yourself that didn’t fit in your job application or cover letter.

• The interviewer isn’t trying to get you to confess to a crime, so don’t treat it like a hostile interrogation.

Clamming up and keeping your answers impersonal might make it seem like you don’t have much to say or that you don’t really want that job position.

Expanding upon your answers with specific experiences and goals you have will definitely leave a better impression.

When you practice, try to answer the question within two minutes. That might seem like a short amount of time at first, but use a stopwatch when practicing your interview answers.

The average person speaks somewhere between 125 and 150 words a minute – so you’ll have enough space to fit a decent amount of information in those precious seconds.

Don’t Make a List

“I’m motivated when I set goals for myself. I am also motivated when I help others. I also am motivated by healthy competition. I am also…”

While being vague can make you seem closed off, just rattling off a long list of motivators can seem like you either don’t know yourself well or you’re just hoping you’ve mentioned something the interviewer may like.

• You may also fall into the trap of just mentioning things without expanding upon them, which leaves a significant chunk of the question unanswered.
• Remember, the interviewer isn’t interested in hearing what might motivate someone; they want to know what specifically motivates you .

When you walk into the interview, you should have one or two motivators in mind with a couple anecdotes as examples.

Really dive in deep when answering the question. Remember, interview questions should be answered like short essay prompts: with one main point, and a significant chunk of evidence to support your answer.

Don’t Overly Cater Your Response

“I am motivated by the idea that I might attend your prestigious company. I want to honor your business’s high standards for excellence, and I push myself so that I will be accepted for this position. Your company website says…”

If your answers are more about the company than yourself, you may come across as a little insincere and untruthful.

• Mentioning certain aspects of the company’s mission and about pages can be a great way to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and you’re genuinely interested in their company, rather than just a job position in your field.
• However, your interviewer primarily wants to know about you, not the company.

It’s fine (and encouraged) to mention how specific parts of the company’s culture or achievements align with your passions, but make sure that your answer covers the full scope of your experiences and professional aspirations.

Get personalized advice!

Well, how should i answer “what motivates you”.

Most of all, you should be authentic when answering.

The first step to being authentic is self-reflecting. Sit down and really think about what excites you about your work.

• What achievements are you most proud of, and why?
• Identify why you’re proud of them.
• For instance, you might be proud of building a drone, managing a CMS integration or raising thousands of dollars for your former employer.

Then, you want to discuss what makes that accomplishment so special. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Were there any obstacles that you had to overcome?
• Besides a desire for job security and a paycheck, what inspired you to push yourself and overcome said obstacles?
• Name the things you learned from these challenges.
• How did you build a bond with your team members?
• What made you look forward to a day at work?
• What accomplishment left you feeling enthusiastic about your impact within the company?

Even if you’re new to the professional workforce, you can still pull from your experiences in college, internships , or volunteer opportunities.

• Maybe there was a club or class in which you were responsible for putting together a project.
• Maybe you helped organize a fundraiser or improved a nonprofit’s website.
• What motivated you to complete the project?

Here are some great examples of motivators for people:

Great Idea #1: Teamwork

“I consider myself a team player at heart. In my last position, I was responsible for managing several teams developing new marketing strategies. We all had different ideas about how to approach the goal. Collaborating with my coworkers, bouncing new ideas, and fine-tuning others kept me invested in my work because I found that I was always learning something else. It also kept me motivated by holding me accountable to contribute just as much to the team as anyone else.”

Teamwork is a great skill to talk about because you’ll likely be required to work within a team at your new company. Culture is such an important part of professional life that companies are willing to hire and fire based on the value of teamwork.

An answer based on teamwork demonstrates your ability to embrace company goals.

Great Idea #2: Helping Others

“I love helping someone solve a problem. When I worked in customer service, I frequently changed my customer’s mood from frustrated to pleased because of my quick thinking polite attitude. In sales, I feel motivated when a customer leaves the conversation excited about their purchase. In my last job, I made sure that each and every customer I spoke to felt respected, and didn’t feel pressured to go through with a transaction. In fact, many of them were satisfied and made repeat purchases. My approach to sales increased our district’s earnings by 27 percent, which drove me to continue working on improving customer satisfaction.”

Companies in competitive markets need to serve their customers to the best of their abilities. That’s why customer service is such an important part of doing business.

Employers want to hire team members who prioritize happy customers and clients. This is good for their bottom line.

Giving an answer on wanting help others is a great way to demonstrate your potential value to the company, its customers, and its growth.

Great Idea #3: Completing or Achieving Something

“I’m a goal-oriented kind of person. I regularly set challenging but attainable goals, and I push myself to complete them by the deadline. At my last position, I was in charge of a software development team, and we were working on a huge project. I broke down the project into manageable weekly tasks and divvied up the work equally between all of us. My management kept our team ahead of schedule, and we were able to release our product well within our deadline. Seeing a project to completion is always the biggest motivator for me.”

Speaking about your desire to achieve something in life is a great way to demonstrate your work ethic and ambitions. Companies want to hire people who don’t need external motivation to go the extra mile.

The best employees don’t need excessive direction or guidance. They know how to get things done on their own. They know how to produce high-quality work.

Great Idea #4: Interest and Innovation

“I just love finding new and better ways to write program code. I often strive for perfection, and finding more efficient algorithms or creating more intuitive user interfaces for our clients drives me every day. At my previous job, I worked on the front-end development to improve the usability of our software. As a result, our clients loved it so much that they recommended it to others via word-of-mouth and social media. Our sales nearly doubled, and many customers continue using our software and downloading the updates. I’m always interested in finding creative solutions to old problems.”

Passion drives human beings forward. Harboring a love for something is one of the best ways to find solutions to a problem.

Think about it.

If you’re really interested in a problem, you’re going to think about it all the time. The more you think about it, the more solutions you’ll find. Companies make money when their employees think of better products for their customers.

That’s why companies love hiring dreamers and passionate individuals.

Great Idea #5: Personal History

“I didn’t grow up with much. I was born in a small town in southeast Ohio – my dad was a sheet metal worker and my mom died when I was young. It was just my dad and me growing up. I remember eating grits all the time and not having health insurance. Luckily, I earned a scholarship to Ohio State, which is how I was able to study political science and learn more about the problems plaguing our communities, like the one I grew up in. As I move up in my career, I want to work for nonprofits and companies that place ethics and values above profits. Everyone can chase money, and money’s important. We can also chase the idea of making our country a better place. I want to work with people who want to do better for those that get left behind.”

Connecting your personal history to a problem is a great way to show why you’re so invested in a field. Hiring managers and CEOs want to hire employees who are invested.

You can discuss your personal history with the following, plus more:

• Food allergies
• Ocean cleanup
• Mental illness

Personal connections make your story relatable, so think of why you’re motivated as a result of your past.

Advice from Experts and Employers

We’ve included advice from people who have been directly responsible for hiring.

They also know what works best when answering this interview question. Enjoy!

From Barbara Watts, director of career services at Sweet Briar College:

It’s important to understand that an interviewer is asking you this question because they want to better understand what makes you tick and what drives you to succeed. It’s critical for them to understand whether your motivators are going to be a fit for the job duties and culture of the organization. Answering this question gives them a window into your personality. Use specific examples from your work, academic studies and/or extracurricular activities to give credibility to your answer. Your answer needs to have direct tie-ins to the position you are applying for. Providing this context allows an interviewer to see you not just as another applicant, but as a future employee of that organization. More than anything, be honest in your response! This benefits you and the employer in helping to determine if the position is a good fit for both of you.

From Nate Masterson, HR Manager of Maple Holistics :

It’s common for an interviewer to ask what motivates you, so you’ll want to have a good response prepared. But really, the best way to answer is based on the truth, so take time to consider what actually does motivate you. Depending on the situation, you might be driven by the pursuit of knowledge, a desire to help people, or the desire to be a problem-solver. Consider an anecdote that can help you demonstrate your point, and use it to highlight the strengths, skills, and passion that you can bring to the institution you are applying to. But always make sure to present things in a positive light. So, for example, if what motivates you the most is simply deadlines quickly approaching, a good way to phrase this is to say that you are motivated by the desire to get a job done in a timely fashion.

From Michael Leonard, creator of Inspire Your Success :

The best way to answer is the question is truthfully and honestly. But that means putting in the work behind the scenes to know what truly motivates you. And it’s not something you should just do for an interview question, it’s something you should do to improve the quality of your life. If you’re clear on your “Why” then you can answer this question effortlessly. Find time and put in some work on your own growth and development by journaling, writing down your goals, and doing things you’re passionate about. The more you do this, the more clear you’ll get. Ultimately, you want to have everything you do align in your life so everything is motivating you to achieve your goals.

From Jonathan Faccone, managing member and founder of Halo Homebuyers L.L.C. :

As an employer, I always love to hear stories where an individual’s motivation is derived from selflessness. An example could be that the reason why an individual works so hard is because they want to give back to their parents, or they don’t want to squander an opportunity their parents have worked so hard to provide them. Additionally, intrinsic motivation is something that every employer should come to learn about you. If you are a person who genuinely takes pride in their work, speak about this. If you like to work with people and concerned about taking care of their needs by doing the right thing by them, this is also a great selling point to an interviewer. An employer will not only come to learn that you want to do the right job and are capable of doing it, but they can also trust you in front of their customer as well.

From Brett Helling, who runs Ridester and has been mentioned in Entrepreneur, Inc., Forbes, and Reader’s Digest:

Motivation is an internal force that allows you to perform your daily or specific tasks more efficiently. It can be related to any physical attribute or spiritual entity. But, being working and maintaining to achieving your goals is the best motivation to go further than anyone can have. Interviewing or being interviewed are two very different things, an interviewer must first understand the individual from a piece of paper that can be a cover letter or its resume. Judge a person by the piece of paper is not the right way to asking brutal questions. The interviewer should adjust itself towards the individual who’s being interviewed and maintain eye contact and make them comfortable with first knowing them. A person who’s being interviewed should be prepared and conceptualize the situation before going in. A knowledge about the company and its management can score higher rather than having a blank mind. Being interviewed can be the toughest situation, but having a sound knowledge about what you are and what you can do, can make a much better candidate for that specific position. The best motivation for me is to allow myself to conquer the most difficult task in an easy way. It doesn’t matter you win or lose, it’s the experience that counts and can make you a much better person in life and in a career.

From Janet Ferone, president of Ferone Educational Consulting :

Tell a story. If what motivates you is to teach students who struggle with learning, don’t just say you are motivated to help all children learn. Add a story that links to when you first discovered your passion and why. For example, if you are motivated to help students who struggle, tell a story of how you struggled in school and felt inadequate, and then suddenly in 4th grade, your teacher connected with you in such a way that you finally saw the light and began to excel. Explain how you now want to be that teacher for others. Make sure your motivation is about what you can offer and how you can make a difference. While good pay and lots of vacation time are motivators, don’t use that as your sole criteria. You can certainly say that you have a passion for caring for animals and do so for your friends and family for free, so you would love a job where you could put your expertise to use for pay. Think about the employer! It’s not all about you and what you want.. Answer in such a way that you show that you would meet their needs, not just yours. In the case of the teacher who wants to work with struggling students, elaborate that you will connect with students in a way that will improve attendance and test scores, for example. Do your homework to know what the employer needs. Connect on a human level. Make eye contact, smile, and call people by name. Make sure you research who the interview team members are, if possible, and the goals and values of the organization. Show your interest and ability to connect with people. Employers can teach job skills, but not people skills, so show you are social and collaborative. If it fits your personality, a little humor goes a long way and can put everyone at ease. Be authentic in your words and also in how you present yourself. Young folks often think they must dress older and more conservative, and then appear ill at ease at the interview. Of course, dress professionally but don’t be afraid to wear a unique color accent or scarf or jewelry that will make them remember you. I have a business card case from my husband’s country of Malaysia and it’s a great conversation piece, as when I reconnect with someone I can reference Malaysia, so they will remember me in a sea of candidates.

Conclusion: How to Answer “What Motivates You?”

These are just a few examples of how to approach the question, “What motivates you?”

If there’s something completely unrelated to any of the categories above that makes you giddy about going to work, go for it. Whatever makes you enthusiastic is most likely a great answer.

The interviewer primarily wants to get a feel for your personality and how you work.

In your answer, be cognizant of the job you’re applying for.

• For instance, if the job you’re applying for is performed primarily in a cubicle with minimal interaction with others outside of meetings, playing up your drive to be a better team might not fit in with the position.
• Similarly, if you plan to say that you’re inspired by innovation and reinventing the wheel while the company you’re interviewing for strongly believes in the phrase, “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” you might want to reconsider your answer.

If you’re prone to interview anxiety, try writing down and rehearsing some potential answers with a friend.

You may also consider imagining yourself as an esteemed guest on a late night talk show. Watch the guests’ relaxed frame and cheerful disposition, and try to emulate that in your interview.

But overall, try to stay relaxed about the interview. You’ve impressed the hiring manager enough to make it to an interview – now’s the time to play up all of your good sides.

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How to Answer “What Motivates You?” Interview Question (+ Examples)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Updated 6/30/2022.

Motivation is a powerful tool. It drives you to complete tasks and encourages you to keep going when times get tough. Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, selfish or altruistic, motivation matters, particularly on the job.

The issue is that motivation is often highly personal. That’s why answering “What motivates you?” during a job interview can be so tricky. If you’re trying to figure out how to answer the “What motivates you,” interview question, here’s what you need to know…

Why Do Hiring Managers Ask “What Motivates You?”

So, why do hiring managers like to ask this question? Is it because they want to see job seekers stumble?

No, that isn’t the case. There are actually several important things an interviewer can learn about the interviewee based on their answer, including just what sort of person they really are and how that matches up with what the company is looking for in a new hire.

Hiring managers want to know what you like doing and why you like doing it. They also want to know what you’re good at.

They’re looking for answers that show them examples of characteristics you possess that will help them decide if you’re going to be a great employee:

• Are you a team player or a lone wolf?
• Do your strengths align with the job?
• Do they align with the company overall?
• Are you applying for a position that you’ll want to excel at, or are you just there for a paycheck?

To sum it up even more, they’re trying to figure out exactly how you view and approach success and what drives you. In the end, motivation leads to a more effective performance at work, and that’s why hiring managers care about what motivates you.

How to Answer This Interview Question

In order to give a good answer to this question, you need to understand that it is actually two interview questions in one. Namely, it’s asking, “What motivates you in life?” and “What motivates you at work?”

This question requires serious self-examination, and it’s something you should be asking yourself long before the interviewer does. This isn’t something you can typically answer off the top of your head. Instead, it’s better to prepare.

What Motivates You in Life?

Another way to ask this question is, “ What are you passionate about ?” What is it that gets you out of bed every day with enthusiasm? Where does your mind go when you’re allowed to daydream? What hobbies do you enjoy? How do you like to spend your time?

Now, dig deeper. What is it about these activities that you enjoy? Is it the satisfaction that comes from making something from nothing? Is it the sense of accomplishment after finishing an intricate project that drives you? Maybe it’s seeing how much others enjoy seeing what you’ve done?

Maybe it’s the feeling you get from helping others or leading them through something and teaching them new skills? Perhaps it was how you felt when you learned a new skill?

Whatever it is, focus on that. That helps create a foundation for a strong answer to this question and ones like it.

What Motivates You at Work?

Yes, we all know that the paycheck is a big reason why we get jobs. However, that alone isn’t usually enough to lead to job satisfaction, even if your salary is pretty high. After all, only about 36 percent of employees are engaged at work, so money alone isn’t enough to keep people focused.

So, what motivates you to do a great job at work? Is it similar to what drives you in life? Do you love the sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a big project on time and under budget? Is it the glow you get from being told you did a great job on a difficult task?

Look back on everything you’ve done both job and career-wise so far. What was it about your best days that made them the best days? When you tell stories about what you do that highlight what you enjoy, what specifically do you tell people about?

Can you take those feelings and apply them to specific moments from your life and past work experiences? Remember, real-life examples make your answers not only more compelling to a hiring manager but also give them a great idea of how you’ll behave in future situations as well.

Finally, take a long look at the job you’re applying for and see how the things you’re motivated by in both life and at work match up with the skills and abilities required. That way, you can integrate those points in when you’re answering questions like “What motivates you to do a good job?”

What Not to Say When Asked About Your Motivation

Now that we’ve gone over the subtext of what a hiring manager is actually asking you when they ask, “What motivates you,” let’s talk about what not to say in response.

First, never mention the paycheck. Hiring managers know that money is part of the equation, so it’s not necessary to bring it up in your answer.

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, it’s a bad move. While ambition isn’t inherently wrong, you need to phrase it carefully if you don’t want to raise any red flags.

While these bad answers may seem obvious, it’s still a tricky question, and it’s easy to make small mistakes when answering, including:

Being too generic or vague in your answer

Remember, specific examples and direct tie-ins to the position you’re 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.

Being too focused on the paycheck

Again, we all know that’s a major motivator, but an employer wants to see beyond that. Even if you’re applying for a commission-based job, where money could motivate you to perform better, it’s best to leave money out of the discussion. Instead, focus on the other metrics or the general drive to improve your performance.

Being dishonest with your motivation

As with all interview questions, honesty is the best policy. While telling your future boss you’re motivated by the opportunity to interact with customers might get you the job, if it turns out you actually hate dealing with people, it’s just going to come back to bite you.

Good Motivators to Discuss in Your Job Interview

Just as there are points you want to avoid, there are a few good motivators that can be a strong foundation for your answer.

First, there are company motivators. These are specific to the opportunity, outlining what you want to find in a job and an employer. Maybe a particular work environment or company culture helps you thrive? Or perhaps there are job duties or types of work that light your fire?

Second, you have social motivators. These generally include motivations relating to interactions with others. That could consist of your family and friends, as well as coworkers or colleagues. Teamwork, collaboration, and similar skills can also fall in this category.

Finally, there are career motivators. This category usually includes opportunities to advance, chances to grow skills, and abilities to expand responsibilities. While compensation could also come into the equation, it’s usually best to avoid discussing money as a motivator, as coming across as only being interested in the paycheck isn’t ideal.

Five Tips for Answering a “Motivation” Type Question

Now that we’ve covered some good motivators and what not to say, it’s time to talk strategy. Here are five easy tips to help you answer “What motivates you?”

1. Be prepared

Ask yourself this question ahead of time and outline possible answers, as well as examples from your life and work history that relate to the job.

2. Be self-aware

This goes hand-in-hand with being prepared. Hiring managers want to know that you’re genuinely thinking of what motivates you. A fast answer with a generic response isn’t going to win you any points. Take time to really answer the question by first really looking at who you are and what you love, and most importantly, what drives you!

3. Be enthusiastic

This is what drives you. This is what you’re passionate about. Let that enthusiasm show! The more enthusiasm you have for what motivates you, the more enthusiasm the hiring manager will have for you.

4. Be self-motivated

Hiring managers love self-motivated people. Even if the job you’re applying for has you working on a team, hiring managers want to know that you’re strong enough on your own to complete the tasks assigned to you. If all your motivation comes from outside forces, a hiring manager might feel some concern about your ability to complete tasks if not constantly supervised.

5. Be honest

We’ve already gone over this, but just in case, it’s worth mentioning again. Be honest.

“What Motivates You?” Example Answers to Guide You

In order to get you ready to craft your own answer to the interview question “What motivates you,” we thought we’d give you some example answers. Use these as a jumping-off point for your own answers, and don’t forget to tailor them!

EXAMPLE 1 – Sales

“One thing that motivates me, unlike anything else, is seeing my numbers improve. As a sales professional, I know the importance of metrics. Whether it’s 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. It’s a genuine point of pride, and not just when my performance rises. If I’m able to help a team excel, that’s even better, as it lets me do my part to ensure the success of the whole.”

EXAMPLE 2 – Design

“As a product designer, nothing is as magical as watching someone use an item I created and genuinely enjoy the experience. In my career, I have had the opportunity to impact people’s lives in an incredibly unique way. Whenever I see someone discovering that the product I made can solve their problem, I’m legitimately overjoyed, and that inspires me to keep creating and innovating.”

EXAMPLE 3 – Tech

“Overall, I relish learning opportunities. That’s part of the reason I pursued a career in technology. The tech world changes so quickly, and I enjoy spending time exploring what’s on the horizon and figuring out how I can harness emerging technologies to improve my workplace or assist customers.”

EXAMPLE 4 – Marketing

“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. It’s amazing to see someone connect with an idea based on my efforts. When that turns into increased sales for my client, that’s a demonstration of my success.”

EXAMPLE 5 – Management

“I’ve worked in management for five years, and the one thing that makes all of the challenges worthwhile is seeing my team grow and advance. I genuinely enjoy coaching and harnessing the potential of constructive feedback. When I’m able to help a struggling employee start exceeding expectations or a thriving team member take the next step in their career, I’m always elated. That’s what sustains me at work, and it will likely do so for the rest of my career.”

Putting It All Together

While there are right ways and wrong ways to “What motivates you?” you still want to make sure your answer will resonate with the hiring manager. Use the tips above to get moving in the right direction. That way, you’ll stand out as an exceptional candidate.

And as always…

P.S. Don’t forget we wanted to let you know that there are over 100 other difficult interview questions you could be asked in your job interview. Sounds stressful right?

Don’t worry, because we created a free PDF that outlines the most common questions and gives you word for word sample answers that you can use at your next interview. Click the link below to get your copy now!

FREE : Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

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• Word-for-word sample answers to the most common interview questions
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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

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.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. 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. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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What Motivates You? Sample Answers

By Biron Clark

Published: November 19, 2023

Answering interview questions like, “What motivates you?” or “What motivates you at work?” can be tricky because they are so open-ended. Coming up, I’m going to walk you through the most important do’s and don’ts.

Then, we’ll look at multiple sample answers so you can give the best response possible.

First, Why Do Employers Ask This Interview Question?

There are a few reasons that employers will ask what motivates you. For one, they want to get a sense of your personality and who you are. But more importantly, they want to see how you’ll react to obstacles at work, and whether you’ll stay determined and motivated. So when the interviewer asks you this question, they want to see that you will stay motivated and handle challenges on the job. They want to know that you’ll respond positively if you’re asked to do something that isn’t quite in your job description, or if you have to work late or fill in for another team member, etc. And they want to know how you’ll respond if the job is harder than you expected after being hired. They do not want to hire someone who will quit. So when you answer what motivates you, aim to show the hiring manager that you’re driven and care about your work.

Here are some further guidelines and examples for answering questions about what motivates you.

How to Answer “What Motivates You?” – Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:.

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. Your answer doesn’t have to be some heartfelt story about how your grandmother had an illness and you dedicated your life to finding a cure. But do some self-reflection and come up with a clear, good answer for what drives you at work each day aside from the money.

Real-life examples:

You can say you’re motivated by solving complex technical challenges (if you’re a software engineer, etc.) You can say you love collaborating and accomplishing big things as a part of a team. You can say you enjoy work that has a meaningful impact, such as creating products that improve people’s lives. You can also talk about personal interests that tie in with the job. Maybe you’re a huge fan of playing guitar but didn’t become a professional. So you’re interviewing for jobs as a music producer. Or as a guitar designer. Or a guitar teacher , etc. Another example of this: Maybe you were an athlete in high school and college, and this is what you’re passionate about. Those are all fair game, and good, creative ideas for how to respond.

Don’ts:

Let’s talk about what NOT to do now.

Don’t just talk about money. Everyone comes to work for a paycheck. The interviewer knows. If they’re asking you “what motivates you?” in an interview, they want to hear something besides money. If you seem only money-focused in your interviews, it can cost you job offers . The only exception is when interviewing for jobs that pay commission, like sales jobs . If you’re getting a paycheck every 10 working days, there are 9 other days when something else will need to keep you motivated. That’s what they care about. Also, don’t feel like you need to make up some impressive story. Tell the truth. It can be a simple, straightforward answer. I’ll share more on this coming up soon. Being dishonest is not a good idea with this interview question.

Example Answers to “What Motivates You?”

Now let’s look at some word-for-word answer examples for “what motivates you?”…

Interviewer: “What motivates you to come to work each day?”

“I like challenging myself and advancing on a personal level. That’s what attracted me to Sales to begin with. It’s personally challenging, it forced me to develop new skills that I never would have attempted on my own – like cold calling somebody or starting a conversation with a complete stranger. It’s changed my confidence level and my entire life, not just my career, and this continues to keep me motivated and get me through tough days, or days where things don’t go my way.”

Remember, never mention money in your answer here! If you don’t know why, go back and re-read the article. It’s one of the most important points mentioned. And remember one of your big goals is to show them that you’ll work hard and “stick with it”, instead of quitting if things get tough. That’s why “What motivates you?” is such a common interview question. If you look at the answer example above, you’ll see the end of the answer is focused on showing them that I’ll stick with the work when it gets tough. You should try to do the same.

One more example answer…

Interviewer: “What motivates you?”

“I’ve watched multiple family members suffer through addiction, so after graduating with my degree in Psychology , I knew I wanted to work in addiction research and treatment. The impact this research can have is huge, and that keeps me motivated. Also, the field is always evolving and providing new challenges to keep me growing professionally. I love the work, and it’s what I want to continue doing throughout my career.”

Your Answer Can Get Personal, But Doesn’t Need to…

Those two example answers above got a bit personal. The first one mentions confidence and personal development goals, and the second one talks about addiction and family members.

You don’t need to get personal in your answer, though. It’s perfectly fine to say something like:

“I’ve always liked math and computers. I don’t have a personal reason, it’s just what I’m excited about doing. I can’t imagine doing something else with my career.”

So don’t feel pressure to lie or make up some personal reason when you answer “what motivates you?”

As a recruiter , I’ve spoken with a lot of GREAT job candidates who were simply motivated by one of the following:

• Technical challenges
• The “mission” of the company (helping people, saving lives, connecting people across the globe, etc.)
• Personal interests

Here’s one more sample answer for how to respond to this interview question without using any personal reasons:

“I’ve always found that I do my best work in a creative environment where I’m able to think openly, and I’ve found that working in graphic design allows me to use my creativity, which keeps me motivated and energized. At this point, I can’t imagine working in another field, and I don’t find it very difficult to come to work motivated each day, since this is what I want to be doing.”

Give an Answer That’s as Close to the Truth as Possible

The best answers to this question will make you sound highly motivated and clear on what drives you and motivates you at work. Of course, not every job/industry is going to have you jumping up and down with excitement, and it’s understandable if you stretch the truth a bit in the interview. However, I strongly recommend you give an answer that’s as true as you can.

Why give a completely honest answer?

For one, your response may prompt follow-up questions. Imagine the interviewer asks, “What motivates you in your career?” and you say that you’re passionate about helping others. They may say, “That’s great, and is one of our core values here. How did you feel your previous roles helped others?” See how this can lead to a chain of questions or a conversation around the topic? This doesn’t mean it’s a trick interview question, but the hiring manager does want to get to know you, and may dive deeper into this topic after your initial response.

So before your interview, pause and do some self-reflection, and write down a list of what truly does motivate you.

Tailor Your Answer to the Job/Company

To give the perfect answer in your interview, it also helps to be familiar with the company culture , work environment, and job description.

Think about the work they’re offering and make sure your answers fit that to some extent.

Good answers for one company won’t necessarily be great for another. For example, some companies have a competitive, sales-driven culture. It’d be beneficial here to talk about your competitive nature and your constant drive to improve. In a more calm and collaborative environment, they may see this as too aggressive, and may worry about your ability to mesh with the existing team.

Answering “What Motivates You” – Quick Instructions

• Name at least one thing that motivates you at work, aside from money or a paycheck
• Your answer for what motivates you can be a personal reason, but doesn’t need to be
• Don’t lie or make up an answer that isn’t genuine; tell the truth about what motivates you at work and you’ll be much more likely to get hired
• Don’t say you’re only motivated by money, or that you work to pay your bills
• Don’t say that you’re not sure or aren’t motivated by anything in particular
• Show excitement and enthusiasm in your answer; your goal is to sound energetic and driven to work hard and learn this new job you’re being considered for – that’s what will convince them to hire you

If you follow the tips above you’ll be able to give a great answer when employers ask questions like, “what motivates you?”, “what motivates you to come to work each day?” etc.

Your answer to this question can be the difference between getting a job offer and getting rejected after the interview… so as a last step, remember to practice and get comfortable with the answer you’re going to give.

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Hey, I was wondering if there was a way to write this in the STAR format. If you could include this it would be much appreciated! Thank you.

I love the STAR approach to answering questions in many cases, but I wouldn’t recommend it here. If I ask this question when interviewing a candidate, I want to hear about them as a person overall. I don’t want to hear, “Well, one time at work…”

I think STAR is a lot better for behavioral interview questions (“tell me about a time when…”) and questions that are more specific, like, “How do you handle stressful situations on the job?”

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Essays About Motivation Leads to Success: Top 5 Examples

If you’re writing an essays about motivation leads to success; you will be inspired by our guide’s essay examples and prompts. 

Motivation is the ultimate key to success. The journey toward any goal is always fraught with hardships that tempt you to quit. But with the right motivation, you can keep sight of your goals and make it to your finish line. The search to find the source of people’s motivation and how to sustain its momentum has been a favorite subject among psychologists and management experts. This interest has engendered several motivation theories applied across society, whether at home, school, or work.

Read on for great essays and prompts on motivation leading to success, and find yourself filled with the motivation to get your essay done.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. the power of positive self-talk by teri karjala, 2. the goldilocks rule: how to stay motivated in life and business by james clear, 3. caffeine, exercise and the brain: how ‘doping’ with psychoactive drugs can boost motivation by ian mcmahan, 4. how to motivate your problem people by nigel nicholson, 5. how to overcome self-doubt and a lack of motivation by leo babauta, 9 helpful writing prompts on essays about motivation leads to success, 1. what motivates you, 2. rewards as tools for motivation, 3. how to develop self-motivation, 4. maslow’s hierarchy of needs, 5. motivating children to succeed, 6. using motivation to succeed in fitness, 7. creating a motivationing atmosphere at home, 8. rejection as a powerful driver for motivation, 9. motivating team members.

“Powerful and positive self-talk can change your entire mindset, which can affect your actions. That, in turn, can have a massive impact on how successful you are on any journey you take or any obstacle you face.”

Practicing positive self-talk can help turn self-doubt into concrete positive actions toward your goals. There are several ways to establish a habit of positive self-talk that will fuel our motivation. Such habits include steps as simple as changing how we address ourselves and physical activities, such as exercising and volunteering for social activities. 

“It is hard to imagine a situation that would strike fear into the hearts of more people than performing alone on stage and failing to get a single laugh. And yet Steve Martin faced this fear every week for eighteen years.”

The essay chronicles the success of American comedian Steve Martin, offering an excellent example of someone who has applied the so-called Goldilock’s Rule. Goldilock’s Rule states that people’s motivation is at its peak when they face manageable challenges. Psychologists also add that immediately receiving positive feedback will also motivate people to work their way to success with more determination than ever.

“When motivation is low and perceived effort high, the couch wins. So if a cup of tea or coffee can get you out and exercising, Marcora’s research suggests it’s worth a try.”

This article describes how your fitness and body toning goals would have been easier by keeping motivated. It also describes the quick fix that could eradicate psychological barriers to exercise: the mildly stimulating “drug” called caffeine.

Looking for more? Check out these essays about personal growth .

“Everyone knows that good managers motivate with the power of their vision, the passion of their delivery, and the compelling logic of their reasoning. Add in the proper incentives, and people will enthusiastically march off in the right direction.”

By coaxing problem employees to do better, managers are not only demotivating them further but are stoking the fire in an already dysfunctional relationship. This is the last thing managers would like to do if they still want to unlock employees’ intrinsic motivation and channel it toward the company’s goals. Before seeing problem employees as the main cause of the problem, managers must look inward and be more flexible in setting goals.

“It can be hard to get moving when you are stuck. This is how I felt in 2005 when I couldn’t change any of my habits. It was really hard to motivate myself when I didn’t think I would succeed, when I felt horrible about myself. But I took one small step, and it felt good.”

We all have that day when a lack of motivation strikes us. This article reassures us that experiencing sluggishness and self-doubt is okay. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, we can still make that bad day count by taking a small step and changing our perception of ourselves and the world around us.

What motivates you to wake up early to get to school, do your homework, or study intently for an exam? In this essay, write about the factors that figure in your motivation equation. Next, enumerate your techniques or attempts to build motivation for your goals. How do you deal with a low motivation level on a bad day? Do you take some rest or force your effort? Finally, share with your readers how much you have progressed in building motivation and what more you want to achieve.

Several studies have uncovered the enormous benefits of rewards in motivating people. First, delve into these studies and discover the scientific explanation behind the effects of rewards on people’s motivation and success. Then, write about the kinds of rewards that have proven effective. Finally, write about rewards you have received that fuelled you to improve yourself and your outlook to add a personal touch.

Self-motivation is a strong sense of motivation that comes from within a person rather than from external factors. This essay focuses on activities and habits that can empower your readers to be self-motivated. For example, it is proven that a deep and daily reflection of goals keeps one focused on following a routine built for that goal, regardless of the difficulties.

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory is the most popular motivation theory. So, elaborate Maslow’s theory, which proposes that a person has to fulfill five basic needs to keep motivated — physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. Also discuss the motivation theories derived from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, such as Alderfer’s ERG Theory, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, and McLelland’s Acquired Needs Theory, among others. Explore how they relate with each other or even pick out which improvised theory best captures and works with your situation at school or work.

Adults at home and school have a big role in instilling in children the importance of motivation as the key to success. For this essay, share the motivational methods your parents and teachers employ to help you keep motivated. Then, assess how these methods effectively or ineffectively build your inner sense of motivation. 

Many of us might have added fitness goals into our New Year’s resolution. And most might have deferred it or abandoned it altogether. Provide your readers with tips on how they can conquer laziness and hit the gym. Of course, the most challenging part is staying motivated in this routine. So compile tried and tested techniques from wellness and fitness experts, and encourage your readers to chronicle their fitness journey so they can appreciate their progress over time. 

This may be a challenge for parents who are working from home. Once parents feel the weight of the responsibilities at home, their motivation for work tends to slip away. So, provide recommendations on how working parents can set healthy boundaries between housework and professional work to deliver on their priority tasks. 

Now, if you want your essay to cater to students, you could also write your experience in distance learning – if any – during the pandemic. Talk about your challenges, strategies for overcoming them, and recommendations to enhance students’ motivation in distance learning. 

Several success stories are made possible because of rejection. For your essay, learn how popular figures embraced rejection. How did they harness it to generate the energy they need to reach their dreams? Finally, offer your readers, particularly those who may be experiencing rejection, some encouraging words to help them get through such trying times. 

How do you deal with uncooperative team members? Unfortunately, some team leaders just allow such instances to pass. But for leaders determined to uplift their team members’ motivation, what can they do? For your essay, offer proven practical approaches to help members align with team goals. Use case studies from the experiences of long-time leaders and managers.

For more writing tips, learn about persuasive writing . Also, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers to ensure your piece is error-free.

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to tackle the 'what inspires you' college essay prompt.

Hey guys, I'm brainstorming for my college essays and one of the schools I'm applying to has this prompt about 'What inspires you?' I'm struggling to figure out the best way to answer this without sounding cliché or overly dramatic. How did you guys approach this? Did you talk personal stuff or kept it academically focused? Any pointers would be appreciated!

Hey there! I totally get what you mean about not wanting to sound cliché. When approaching this type of prompt, you might find it helpful to dig into the less obvious things that inspire you. For example, instead of writing about a grandiose figure like a world leader, look at the traits and little moments that spark motivation. For example, a student might choose to write about how the meticulous craftsmanship of local artisans in their neighborhood inspired their interest in engineering.

The key is to pick something genuine to you and then reflect on how it influences your aspirations, education or career path. If that happens to be a personal story, great, but if it's more academically inclined, that's also fine—as long as it's truly reflective of what motivates you. Remember, the admission team reads tons of essays, so a unique perspective can really stand out. Don't be afraid to get a little personal; that adds color to your narrative. Just be sure to keep the essay grounded so that it doesn't veer off into the 'overly dramatic' territory you're wary of.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Motivation and What Really Drives Human Behavior

Our motivation is our most valuable commodity. Multiplied by action, its value fluctuates with how we invest our attention.

Why is it that we are all born with limitless potential, yet few people fulfill those possibilities?

Abraham Maslow

And what actually drives humans?

Some of our motives to act are biological, while others have personal and social origins. We are motivated to seek food, water, and sex, but our behavior is also influenced by social approval, acceptance, the need to achieve, and the motivation to take or to avoid risks, to name a few (Morsella, Bargh, & Gollwitzer, 2009).

This article introduces some of the core concepts in the science of motivation.

But before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients create actionable goals and master techniques to create lasting behavior change.

This Article Contains

Types of motivation, motivation and emotion, motivation and personality, motivation for change, happiness and human motivation, a take-home message, frequently asked questions.

Motivation can be experienced as internal. Biological variables originate in a person’s brain and nervous system and psychological variables that represent properties of a person’s mind – psychological needs.

External sources of motivation are often understood in terms of environmental variables, like incentives or goals. Our internal sources of motivation interact with external sources to direct behavior (Deckers, 2014).

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

George Eliot

Our evolutionary history also explains aspects of motivation and behavior, and our individual personal histories shape our motives and determine the utility of goals and incentives.

Drive Motivation

When the sympathetic nervous system produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, it creates energy for action. This may be why motivation is often conceptualized in terms of drives . Our bodies aim to return to equilibrium and strive toward a desired end-state, reducing or eliminating the drive (Reeve, 2018).

Needs are internal motives that energize, direct and sustain behavior. They generate strivings necessary for the maintenance of life, growth and wellbeing.

A hungry stomach will not allow its owner to forget it, whatever his cares and sorrows.

Homer, 800 B.C.

Physiological needs – hunger, thirst, sex, etc. – are the biological beginnings that eventually manifest themselves as psychological drives. These biological events become psychological motives. It is important to distinguish the physiological need from the psychological drive it creates because only the later has motivational properties.

The drive theory of motivation tells us that physiological needs originate in our bodies. As our physiological system attempts to maintain health, it creates psychological drive and motivates us to bring the system from deficiency toward homeostasis (Reeve, 2018).

If you want to know more about this topic, see our articles on Motivation Science and Theory of Motivation .

Goal Motivation

When talking about motivation, the topic of goals inevitably comes up. As a cognitive mental event, a goal is a “spring to action” that functions like a moving force that energizes and directs our behavior in purposeful ways and motivates people to behave differently (Ames & Ames, 1984).

Goals, like mindset, beliefs, expectations, and self-concept, are sources of internal motives. These cognitive sources of motivation unite and spring us into action.

Goals are generated by what is NOT, or in other words, a discrepancy between where we are and where we want to be. The saying “ If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there ” describes the difference in motivated behavior between those who have goals and those who do not (Locke, 1996; Locke & Latham, 1990, 2002).

But it isn’t necessarily enlightening to simply formulate goals. As a motivational construct, goal setting translates into performance only when the goals are challenging, specific, and congruent with the self.

We exert more effort toward challenging goals (Locke & Latham, 1984, 1990, 2002), focus our attention to the extent of their specificity (Locke, Chah, Harrison, & Lustgarten, 1989), and draw energy from how those goals reflect our values (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999).

To learn more about making goals challenging, specific, and personal, check out our articles on The Science & Psychology of Goal Setting 101 and Goal-Setting: Templates & Worksheets for Achieving Goals .

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The concept of motivation is closely related to emotion. Both of these words are derived from the same underlying Latin root movere which means “to move.”

Emotions are considered motivational states because they generate bursts of energy that get our attention and cause our reactions to significant events in our lives (Izard, 1993).

Emotions generate an impulse to cope with the circumstances at hand (Keltner & Gross, 1999).

Together with emotion, motivation is part of a core psychological phenomenon referred to as affect.

We feel these experiences, physiologically and emotionally, and they motivate and guide our behavior and decision making. Most importantly, they have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. See our article on the Importance and Benefits of Motivation .

Are we predisposed to be motivated in different ways?

Personality theory and research show that we are, in fact, motivated in different ways based on our personality traits. A high level of a particular trait will often make us act as the trait implies: We will be more open to experience, conscientious, extraverted, agreeable, and neurotic. We will be motivated by different incentives, goals, and activities but also choose to be in different situations.

The task of psychology is to determine what those situations and behaviors are.

The trait–environment correlation studies show that if we exhibit characteristics at one end of a personality dimension we will seek out, create, or modify situations differently than individuals at the other end of the spectrum would (Deckers, 2014).

In addition to each of the big five personality traits, our tendency to seek sensation plays a significant role in how willing we are to take risks to experience varied, novel, complex, and intense sensations and experiences (Deckers, 2014).

The cybernetic big five theory linked personality traits with the type of goals we choose, and showed that specific goals would motivate appropriate personality state behaviors that are effective for achieving that goal (Deckers, 2014). For example, although people with extraverted and introverted personality traits react similarly to stimuli designed to put them in a pleasant hedonic mood, those high in extraversion have greater sensitivity to rewards.

They react with greater energetic arousal in response to the pursuit of rewards and are more likely than introverts to seek social stimulation in a variety of situations (Deckers, 2014).

The channeling hypothesis examines how specific personality traits determine how we express motivation and how we may respond to our personal motivation drives. It proposes that (Deckers, 2014):

• Extraverts tend to enter high-impact careers to satisfy their power motive and are more likely than introverts to do volunteer work to fulfill their affiliation motive.
• Those who are high in neuroticism are easier to put in a bad mood, less satisfied with their relationships and careers, and more likely to choose to drink in solitude following negative social exchanges.
• Individuals high in conscientiousness earn higher grades and are more likely to engage in health-enhancing behaviors.
• Highly agreeable people were found more likely to help friends and siblings in distress.

The selection hypothesis suggests that frequently, a composite of trait levels will be associated with a particular behavior . Many of these studies produced some very interesting results, which showed that (Deckers, 2014):

• Students low in extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness spend more time using the internet.
• Individuals high in openness to experience sought out contact with individuals from minority groups more and reported less prejudice than did individuals high in agreeableness.
• Happiness was associated with high levels of extraversion and agreeableness and low levels of neuroticism.

There are other personality factors that may affect motivation and what drives us toward our goals (Deckers, 2014):

• Those who are high in conscientiousness experience fewer stressors because of planning.
• Individuals high in agreeableness experience fewer interpersonal stressors because they are more cooperative.
• Those high in neuroticism experience more interpersonal stressors.
• Individuals high in conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness to experience cope through direct engagement with stressors.
• Those high in neuroticism cope through disengagement, such as escaping from a stressor or not thinking about it.
• Weight gain over people’s lifetimes is more significant when they are high in their neuroticism and extraversion, and low in their conscientiousness.
• Aspects of low agreeableness also contribute to weight gain.
• High-sensation seekers respond positively to risky events, drugs, and unusual experiences and are more likely to seek out and engage in risky sports, prefer unusual stimuli and situations, and experiment with things out of the ordinary.
• Low-sensation seekers respond negatively to risky events.
• Different components of sensation seeking are associated with a preference for nonsense humor or sexual humor.

Finally, personality traits of conscientiousness, openness, and extraversion have been positively associated with intrinsic motivation. Conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism on the other hand have been positively related to extrinsic achievement motivation (Deckers, 2014).

Although agreeableness was found to be negatively associated with extrinsic achievement motivation, conscientiousness was anomalous, in that it was positively related to both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. These results suggest that both forms of motivation may be more complicated than expected initially (Hart et al., 2007).

See our article on the Importance and Benefits of Motivation to learn more about what constitutes self-motivation and full self-determination.

The topic of motivation is frequently discussed in the context of change.

Many of us join a gym or a training program; others enter therapy or coaching because we desire change. But change is rarely a simple or a linear process. Part of the reason has to do with how difficult it is to find the motivation to engage in activities that are not intrinsically motivating.

When an activity is autotelic, or rewarding and interesting in its own right, we do it for the sheer enjoyment of it and motivation is hardly necessary (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).

Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.

Eckhart Tolle

More often than not, however, what we want to change requires self-control to abstain from behaviors that don’t serve us but are enjoyable. Not to mention that commitment is required to pursue these often challenging and unrewarding activities that move us in the direction of a valued outcome.

Deci and Ryan (1995), who studied autonomous self-regulation, suggested that we need to move away from extrinsically motivated action, (e.g., when we have to do something because we fear consequences), and toward introjected and even fully self-determined regulation, where we value the new behavior and align it with other aspects of our life.

See our blog post entitled What is Motivation to learn more about self-motivation.

“Stage-based” approaches to behavioral changes have proven to be particularly effective in increasing motivation toward the pursuit of difficult and non-intrinsically motivating goals as they allow for realistic expectations of progress (Zimmerman, Olsen, & Bosworth, 2000).

The Stages of Change model of Prochaska, et al. (DiClemente, & Prochaska, 1998), also known as the Trans-theoretical Model of Change (TMC), is one such approach commonly used in clinical settings. In this model, change is regarded as gradual, sequential, and controllable. Its real-world applications are seen in motivational interviewing techniques, a client-centered method of facilitating change.

Here motivation is increased together with readiness for change which is determined by our:

• Willingness to change.
• Confidence in making the desire changed.
• Actions taken to make the change.

See our article on Motivational Interviewing for an in-depth analysis of this model of change and its many applications.

The answer to that question depends both on how we define happiness and whom we ask.

Thanks to the rapidly growing research in positive psychology, the science behind what makes life worth living, we know a lot about what makes us happy and what leads to psychological wellbeing. There is also plenty of evidence that positive subjective experiences contribute to increased motivation.

From Barbara Fredrickson’s (2004) research on how positive emotions broaden our perception and increase positive affect and wellbeing to the research of Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer (2011) that shows how happy employees are more productive, we can see how cultivating optimism and positive emotions can serve an adaptive role and be a distinct motivational factor.

Those who feel good or show positive affect are:

• more creative (Lyubomirsky et al., 2005),
• help others more (Feingold, 1983),
• persistent in the face of failure (Erez & Isen, 2002; Kavanagh, 1987),
• make decisions efficiently (Schwartz et al., 2002), and
• show high intrinsic motivation (Graef et al., 1983).

Studies show that short-term positive affect helps us be successful in many areas in our lives, including marriage, friendship, income, work, and health (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005).

Model of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions Reprinted with permission of Guilford Press, Fredrickson, and Cohn (2008, Figure 48.1) [17]. Figure 2. Conceptual framework of the study.

The good life consists in deriving happiness by using your signature strengths every day in the main realms of living. The meaningful life adds one more component: using these same strengths to forward knowledge, power or goodness.

Martin Seligman

Martin Seligman (2002) argued that genuine happiness and life satisfaction have little to do with pleasure, and much to do with developing personal strengths and character. If cognition operates in the service of motivation (Vohs & Baumeister, 2011), then developing personal strengths and character should lead to increased motivation.

When talking about eudaimonia as a form of wellbeing, the recurring concepts include meaning, higher inspiration, connection, and mastery (David, Boniwell, & Ayers, 2014), all attributes related to cognitive mechanisms of motivation.

The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times…the best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

These higher motives and their behavioral expressions can also be described as consequences of eudaimonia. According to Haidt (2000), elevating experiences can motivate virtuous behavior.

Seligman (2002) called it a higher pleasure, and Maslow (1973) described a eudemonic person as autonomous, accepting of self, positively relating to others, and possessing a sense of mastery in all of life’s domains (David, Boniwell, & Ayers, 2014). And as this description indicates, these individuals would be highly motivated.

Positive psychology looks at a person and asks, “What could be?” Most importantly, however, positive psychology brings attention to the proactive building of personal strengths and competencies, and these cannot be bad for motivation.

17 Tools To Increase Motivation and Goal Achievement

These 17 Motivation & Goal Achievement Exercises [PDF] contain all you need to help others set meaningful goals, increase self-drive, and experience greater accomplishment and life satisfaction.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

Understanding the principles of motivation gives us the capacity to find workable solutions to real-world motivational problems. For what could ever be more important than empowering those around us toward more intentional action, goal attainment, optimal experience, full functioning, healthy development, and a resilient sense of self?

Studying and applying motivational science can also help us reverse or cope with impulsive urges, habitual experience, goal failure, counterproductive functioning, negative emotion, boredom, maladaptive or dysfunctional development, and fragile sense of self.

If the greatest victory is over self, should we not aspire to rise above our limitations?

Leave us your thoughts on this topic.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free .

According to Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), the three motivators of human behavior are:

• autonomy – the need to have control and choice over one’s actions,
• competence – the need to feel capable and effective, and
• relatedness – the need for social connection and interaction with others.

According to the Four-Drive Theory proposed by Paul R. Lawrence and Nitin Nohria, (2002) there are four basic human drives that motivate behavior, the drive to:

• comprehend, and

The four C’s of motivation are (Niemiec & Ryan, 2009);

• competence,
• confidence,
• connection, and

By fostering the four C’s, individuals are more likely to experience a sense of autonomy, relatedness, and competence, which are key components of intrinsic motivation.

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• Ames, C. (1984). Achievement attributions and self-instructions under competitive and individualistic goal structures. Journal of Educational Psychology, 76 (3), 478-487.
• Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience . Harper & Row.
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What our readers think.

Great teaching, super message 👏

Interesting read, but it appears to be the neurotypical point of view. As an autistic person, most of the article and information did not resonate with me.

Why would you assume that an article that doesn’t mention autism once would take into account the differences in motivation between people with and without autism? Pointless to even leave a comment like this.

How can those with high level of neuroticism find significant motivation to take actions towards realizing their potentials? How can they get more enjoyment from their achievements? Thanks.

Motive of Being (By definition)

I AM .ie ” THE CREATOR” therefore I .ie “ones self” thinks.  Ones conscious connects ones conscious self to ones unconscious self that’s why some humans have no idea why they do or don’t do something.  The process of quantum mechanics can be manipulated to bend the laws of physics in the physical world just as one’s conscious self can be manipulated by ones unconscious self.  This process can be observed in quantum dynamics, whereas the Effects sometimes comes before the Cause, and we are only aware of this because we observed the process, just as an police officers looking over a crime scene to find an motive to a crime.

Can it be really possible that one is given all tips and guides in counselling to achieve greater and greater wellbeing or wellness, but completely divorced of having any thought or concern or even attention to the plight or suffering of fellow humans living perhaps in the next slums or shanties or country sides.? Or as fellow human beings, one needs to be in some way socially caring and reaching out to others, as long as we fall short of creating an egalitarian and equal society. In some developing countries, some self styled gurus and counsellors promise to take people to the land of perfect happiness and wellbeing through all types of workshops and meditation methods etc but no word on their brotherly concern for other fellow humans. Aren’t people being taken for a ride?

Thank you for your heart- warming comment. I couldn’t agree with you more. I truly believe we are made in such a way that we can never get ” to the land of perfect happiness ” unless we take our less fortunate fellow brothers and sisters there with us.

Very nice happy family and other person

I WOULD LIKE TO TALK IF POSSIBLE. I teach gratitude courses, and I am also an active business consultant. I am presently writing essay for Brill publications on “Soulful Exemplar Leadership and Spiritual Motivation. I am most interested in Motivational Psychology, especially in the Pandemic chaos. I am doing webinars on this topic. I think all leadership is about the motivational leadership. I am very Aristotelian in my approach to motivational psychology A William McVey Ph.D. Holy Apostles College and Seminary 913 669-3934

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Interview Question: "What Motivates You?"

What the Interviewer Wants to Know

How to answer “what motivates you”, examples of the best answers, tips for giving the best response, what not to say, possible follow-up questions, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Emilie Dunphy / The Balance

When you’re applying for a job, you’ll hear a lot of interview questions—and some are trickier than others. One that’s common but might catch you off guard is, "What motivates you?" The interviewer is looking for insight into why and how you are motivated to achieve workplace goals and succeed at the job.

The hiring manager will also be seeking to discover whether the factors that motivate you are aligned with the company’s goals and the role in which you would be working.

By answering in an honest but thoughtful way, you can impress your interviewer and demonstrate that you are the right person for the job.

This is a broad and open-ended question , which can make it hard to know how to answer. It can also be a challenge to figure out the best way to respond. After all, most people are motivated by many factors, including pay, prestige, making a difference, seeing results, and interacting with interesting people.

Key Takeaways

• Practice your response beforehand. If you write out some ideas of what motivates you, it will be easier to answer the question during the interview.
• Focus your response on the motivators that are the closest match to the employer’s job requirements.
• Show how you're qualified. After all, the interview is an opportunity to sell your qualifications to the hiring manager.

In asking this question, interviewers hope to figure out what makes you tick and what drives you to succeed. They also want to determine whether your motivators will be a fit for the job's duties and the company's culture .

For the hiring manager, it's important to learn whether your motivators align with the job's responsibilities. If you're motivated by a challenging workplace, for example, you may not be the best fit for a routine data entry job.

Honest answers can help reveal what circumstances help you feel excited and enthused. Another common variant of this interview question is, " What are you passionate about? ” Both questions try to determine what makes an interviewee feel excited and fulfilled.

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.

There's a big difference between the candidate who's motivated by building teams and establishing strong relationships with co-workers, and the candidate whose best day is working independently on a report that improves the company's bottom line. Both candidates bring 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.

Watch Now: 4 Ways to Answer "What Motivates You?"

Take some time to research the company and the job prior to the interview. The more you know about the organizational goals of the employer, the better equipped you’ll be to respond.

It can be hard to think of a good answer for this question on the spot since it requires a bit of self-reflection. To prepare your answer, think about the jobs you have held in the past:

• What happened during your best days?
• When were you most looking forward to a day at the office?
• When did you come home from work bursting with stories and feeling enthusiastic and excited?

Whether it was a successful meeting with a client, a complex project wrangled into submission, a new skill you mastered, or anything else, keep these positive moments in mind when conceptualizing your answer.

Review these sample answers and tailor your response to  match your credentials to what the employer is seeking .

Example Answer #1

I'm really driven by results. I like it when I have a concrete goal to meet and enough time to figure out a strong strategy for accomplishing it. 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. It was a real thrill to accomplish that.

Why It Works: This response works well because it’s focused on achievements and results. It’s positive, and it shows what the candidate has accomplished.

Example Answer #2

I'm motivated by digging into data. Give me a spreadsheet and questions, and I'm eager to figure out what's driving the numbers. At my current position, I prepare the monthly analytics report around sales. The data from these reports help drive and determine how the company charts its next steps and makes sales goals for the following months. Being able to provide that essential information is really motivating.

Why It Works: The candidate is motivated both by data analysis and by being able to provide information to their team. This shows the interviewer that the applicant has both the hard and soft skills required for success in the role.

Example Answer #3

I was responsible for several projects in which I directed development teams and implemented repeatable processes. The teams achieved 100% on-time delivery of software products. I was motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule and by managing the teams that achieved our goals.

Why It Works: This response shows the interviewer that the applicant is motivated by several factors—management, scheduling, and teamwork—and has the ability to multitask.

Example Answer #4

I have always wanted to ensure that my company's clients get the best customer service I can offer. I feel it's important, both to me personally and for the company and the clients, to provide a positive customer experience. My drive to constantly develop my customer service skills is the reason I earned top sales at my company two quarters in a row.

Why It Works: With this answer, the candidate focuses on why customer service is important, how they develop their skills, and how they achieve positive results.

Example Answer #5

I have always been motivated by the desire to meet a deadline. Setting and reaching deadlines gives me such a sense of accomplishment. I love creating an organized schedule for completing a task and achieving my goals on time. For example, when I ran a fundraising event last year, I set multiple deadlines for a variety of tasks leading up to the event. Achieving each milestone motivated me to keep working and helped me to ensure that the event ran smoothly.

Why It Works: It always makes sense to respond in a way that shows you are motivated by your work and by accomplishing goals.

Keep the job in mind. When preparing your answer, think about the skills and abilities that will be most useful for this job. Try to highlight these in your answer. 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.

Consider the company culture. If the company emphasizes the camaraderie of its staff, for example, you might mention how achieving goals as a group motivates you. If you don’t know much about the company culture, do some research before your interview to learn as much as you can.

Share an example. You might want to include an example from your previous job to explain the kinds of projects or tasks that motivate you. For example, if you say that you are driven by results, give an example of a time you set a goal and met (or exceeded) it.

Make sure the example demonstrates a time you used your motivation to add value to an organization in some way.

For example, perhaps you saved a company money, completed a project ahead of schedule, or solved a problem for an employee. Telling a story about your achievements is always a good way to show the interviewer your accomplishments. This will help the interviewer see how your motivation can benefit the company.

When you answer this question, be honest. If you tailor your answer to exactly what you think the employer wants to hear, you will likely come off as insincere. 

Giving an honest answer will also help you see if you are a good fit for the job and company.

Keep your audience in mind. While you may be most motivated by receiving a regular paycheck, that answer is not very inspiring from an interviewer's perspective.

Don’t make it about you. When you respond, it’s best to focus on work-related motivators. Rather than saying that you like to get a paycheck every week, for example, discuss responsibilities at work that keep you interested and ready for a challenge.

Don’t ramble. Have a clear and focused response to the question. Know what motivates you, and keep your response on target so you don’t confuse the interviewer by sharing too much information.

Keep it positive. Focus on the positive when you respond. For example, you don’t want to say that you’re motivated because you don’t want to get fired for subpar performance.

• Are you self-motivated? 
• What are you passionate about? 
• What can you contribute to this company? 
• What strategies would you use to motivate your team?

How should you answer questions about what motivates you?

The best way to answer is to focus on responses that match well with the job, company, and industry at hand. Avoid motivations tied to a paycheck.

What are the different types of motivation?

There are two different buckets of motivations: extrinsic and intrinsic. An example of extrinsic motivation would be a paycheck. An example of intrinsic motivation would be a desire to meet a challenge or the joy of completing a task. 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. During job interviews, it's generally best to emphasize intrinsic, not extrinsic, motivators. 

Jobcase. “ 5 Motivation Questions You Should Be Asking In a Job Interview .”

Excelsior University. “ Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: Implications in School, Work, and Psychological Well-Being .”

10 Best Answers to “What Motivates You” Interview Question

Asking you what motivates you is a very common job interview question and is asked to understand your intrinsic motivation. 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.

Here are 10 of the best answers that are sure to make a positive impression at your next interview.

5 Tips for Your Answer

• The best way to have a great answer is to target your job search for a job you want in the first place.
• Where possible, provide specific examples from a previous job.
• Customize your answer based on the job description to show you are the best fit.
• Talk about your long-term goals and how this is a great job for working towards them.
• Say that you get a sense of accomplishment when you have done a good job for the company.

5 Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not be too personal, for example, “I am motivated by having fun.”
• Do not say that you are motivated by money.
• Do not provide short-term goals that, once fulfilled, will cause you to leave.
• Do not say “I don’t know” or be too general, e.g., “I like doing a good job.”
• Do not lie. Always give an honest answer. If you lie to get a new job, you will be dissatisfied and leave quickly.

10 Best Example Answers to “What motivates you?”

Example #1: motivated by hard work and providing for my family.

My three sources of primary motivation are meeting deadlines, learning new things, and providing for my family. To expand on these, firstly, no matter the type of work, I get a great sense of job satisfaction when I have worked hard to complete tasks successfully. Second, I know from my past work experiences that when I work on creative projects where I can learn new skills, I feel energized and excited to be at work each day.

Finally, I have a lot of goals in my personal life and things I want to do for my family, and I know that the best way for me to do this is to be successful at my job.

Key Takeaways:  This is a good answer because it lists multiple sources of motivation, both work-related and personal, which ensures you will be committed to doing the job well consistently.

Example #2: Motivated by Professional Growth and Working as a Team

I have several sources of motivation that drive me to achieve at work. I know from my previous role that I am highly motivated by opportunities to learn or grow professionally because I know that this means I am providing value for my employer. 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.

Another key driver for me personally is training or helping colleagues to grow and improve. I welcome opportunities to train others and constantly seek informal opportunities to share my knowledge with colleagues.

Key Takeaways:  This example answer is particularly good if applying for a highly team-oriented role. It covers working in a team, sharing knowledge with your team, and clearly states that you know your motivations from experience.

Example #3: Motivated by Providing Excellent Customer Service

There are a lot of things that motivate me at work. One of my biggest motivations at work is providing excellent customer service. It makes me feel proud to know that I have genuinely helped a customer with their problem. I am also motivated by achieving great results at work. This ties into my customer service work but also applies to non-customer-facing duties. In all my job responsibilities never shy away from hard work. In everything I do, I try to take the best approach because I take pride in my work, and this is demonstrated through my history of past successes.

Key Takeaways:  This is a strong answer when applying for customer service roles as it directly addresses being motivated by providing customers with a good experience. It is also a good example answer for including more than one motivation, in this case achieving quality results, which all employers will like.

Example #4: Motivated by Ambitious Goals and Creativity

I am jointly motivated by opportunities for learning new skills and finding creative ways to achieve ambitious goals. As a software engineer, I am always looking to improve my knowledge and professional skills. 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.

I also find one of my most valuable assets is creativity, and I am excited by opportunities to approach specific goals from new angles. It is incredibly rewarding when you know you contributed to the completion of important projects for the company using ingenuity and skill.

Key Takeaways:  Answers like this discuss creative problem solving and ambitious goals. This answer is designed for technical roles, interchange ‘software engineer’ with your professional title. This can apply to most professional skills which seek to solve complex problems for a business.

Example #5: Motivated by Extending Comfort Zones

One of my biggest work-related motivators is pushing my comfort zone. The reason for this is that I know that if I am not learning something new, or trying a new idea, then I am staying still, and in fast-paced work environments staying still is the same as going backward. Trying new things does mean finding the occasional wrong answer, but mistakes are an opportunity to gain a better understanding, and I find this to be a great motivator. In the end, being part of a successful project is a deeply rewarding experience that gives me a lot of pride and satisfaction.

Key Takeaways: One of the good things about this answer is that it is not a “normal” answer. 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.

Example #6: Motivated by Getting the Most Out of Others

As a manager, I am motivated in several ways. First, I am motivated by success stories, and I look for opportunities to make everything my team does a new success. To help make sure everything my team is responsible for is successful, I am motivated to study and attempt to emulate great leaders and apply everything I have learned from my previous experience.

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. I also find being given a challenging workload to be motivating. When I have slight pressure and competing deadlines, I am motivated to keep my time and space organized and plan ahead to get all the important things I am responsible for completed successfully.

Key Takeaways: This answer is designed for management and team leader positions. It is focused on getting results from your team and accepting a challenging workload, both of which are common in leadership roles.

Example #7: Motivated by Solving Problems

Given my highly technical mindset, one of the things that motivate me the most is data analysis. I enjoy analyzing data and getting as much information as I can, and applying this to address problems for the company. 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.

I am also motivated by responsibility. This means that the more important the task or duties given to me, the easier I find it to work hard to resolve them as I get a sense of personal satisfaction from achieving success.

Key Takeaways: For analytical or data-oriented roles, such as accounting, law, statistics, and engineering, this can be a very strong answer. It is important to understand the company and the open position as this is not for roles in time-sensitive or fast-paced environments.

Example #8: Motivated by Goals and Targets

As a high-performing, professional salesperson, I am deeply motivated by ambitious targets. I take company goals, team targets, and personal KPIs very seriously. I also have a healthy level of competitiveness which drives me to always try to beat my own best performance and lead my team in productive results. In addition, I also have several personal goals that are very important to me. 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.

Key Takeaways: For any sales roles or highly results-driven roles, an answer similar to this is ideal. In many roles, competitiveness can be considered not ideal, but for sales roles, a healthy level of competition is generally positive.

Example #9: Motivated by Completing Tasks and Achieving Goals

I am motivated most by goals and achievements. 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. I am constantly setting goals, objectives, and to-do lists for myself so that I am energized to work toward the next important thing on my list. An additional motivator is my drive to have things completed. I cannot enjoy my weekends or evenings if I know that I have not completed my work duties to the very best of my ability and squared off my current tasks.

Key Takeaways:  This answer is a perfect answer if you are unsure exactly what the company is looking for. Very few companies will be disappointed by a candidate who likes to accomplish goals.

Example #10: Motivated by Learning and Development and Delivering Quality Results

I am motivated jointly by continuous learning and improvement and doing things to a high standard on time. This means that any time I face a task that challenges me, I am excited to improve my skills and knowledge to best address the task and deliver results for the company. Because I am motivated to do things to a high standard, it also means that I will never cut corners or find shortcuts.

I will always find the best information or resources available and work hard to become an expert at each thing I am responsible for so that I can consistently deliver quality results.

Key Takeaways:  This is another good answer that can apply to almost any position. Learning and development are critical in all modern business, and quality results provide your company with a competitive advantage and reduce the likelihood of errors or delays in your work.

5 Other Ways This Question May Be Asked

You can use the example answers provided to answer almost any question that asks about your motivations, e.g. “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.

Here are some different open-ended questions that they may ask instead.

1. Provide an example of a time when you needed to motivate a team. How did you approach it? This question is a behavioral question and should be addressed with the STAR technique. It will normally be asked in management or leadership roles. But it can be asked in senior team member roles as the way you motivate others will reflect what motivates yourself.

2. What are you looking for in a job? 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. It is a common type of wording for jobs that are likely to be mundane or boring as they require a specific type of person to remain at them long-term.

3. How do you motivate others to do their best? This is a trick question. It is based on the fact that we usually think others feel and act the same as ourselves. You should always try to answer this question in relation to the job title and job description.

4. Describe a time you worked your hardest and why? This is another behavioral question and should be addressed with the STAR technique. This is an indirect way to ask what will make you do your hardest work in the new role.

5. Why do you want this job? / Why do you think you would be a good fit for this job? These two questions are basically asking the same thing as each other. They are asking you to explain why you are the best candidate for the position.

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.

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 company’s culture. A good way to increase your success is to apply for jobs where the company’s goals are a close fit to your own. Also, anticipate common questions like this and have a detailed answer prepared that shows a strong desire to work for the company long-term.

Motivation Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on motivation.

Everyone suggests other than the person lack motivation, or directly suggests the person remain motivated. But, no one ever tells what is the motivation of how one can stay motivated. Motivation means to face the obstacle and find an inspiration that helps you to go through tough times. In addition, it helps you to move further in life.

Meaning of Motivation

Motivation is something that cannot be understood with words but with practice. It means to be moved by something so strongly that it becomes an inspiration for you. Furthermore, it is a discipline that helps you to achieve your life goals and also helps to be successful in life .

Besides, it the most common practice that everyone does whether it is your boss in office or a school teacher or a university professor everyone motivates others in a way or other.

Role of Motivation

It is a strong tool that helps to get ahead in life. For being motivated we need a driving tool or goal that keeps us motivated and moves forward. Also, it helps in being progressive both physically and mentally.

Moreover, your goal does not be to big and long term they can be small and empowering. Furthermore, you need the right mindset to be motivated.

Besides, you need to push your self towards your goal no one other than you can push your limit. Also, you should be willing to leave your comfort zone because your true potential is going to revel when you leave your comfort zone.

Types of Motivation

Although there are various types of motivation according to me there are generally two types of motivation that are self- motivation and motivation by others.

Self-motivation- It refers to the power of someone to stay motivated without the influence of other situations and people. Furthermore, self-motivated people always find a way to reason and strength to complete a task. Also, they do not need other people to encourage them to perform a challenging task.

Motivation by others- This motivation requires help from others as the person is not able to maintain a self-motivated state. In this, a person requires encouragement from others. Also, he needs to listen to motivational speeches, a strong goal and most importantly and inspiration.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Importance of Motivation

Motivation is very important for the overall development of the personality and mind of the people. It also puts a person in action and in a competitive state. Furthermore, it improves efficiency and desire to achieve the goal. It leads to stability and improvement in work.

Above all, it satisfies a person’s needs and to achieve his/her goal. It helps the person to fight his negative attitude. The person also tries to come out of his/her comfort zone so that she/ he can achieve the goal.

To conclude, motivation is one of the key elements that help a person to be successful. A motivated person tries to push his limits and always tries to improve his performance day by day. Also, the person always gives her/his best no matter what the task is. Besides, the person always tries to remain progressive and dedicated to her/his goals.

FAQs about Motivation Essay

Q.1 Define what is motivation fit. A.1 This refers to a psychological phenomenon in which a person assumes or expects something from the job or life but gets different results other than his expectations. In a profession, it is a primary criterion for determining if the person will stay or leave the job.

Q.2 List some best motivators. A.2 some of the best motivators are:

• Inspiration
• Fear of failure
• Power of Rejection
• Don’t pity your self
• Be assertive
• Stay among positive and motivated people
• Be calm and visionary

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Are R.F.K. Jr. Signature Gatherers Misleading New Yorkers for Ballot Access?

More than half a dozen New York City residents described encounters with people seeking their signature who did not make clear that their aim was to place the independent 2024 candidate on the ballot.

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By Rebecca Davis O’Brien

Amy Bernstein, a traffic court judge in Brooklyn, was heading home from work one night in late April when, she said, a young man carrying a clipboard approached her on the subway platform, asking if she would sign a petition to help place independents on the ballot in New York.

The top of the petition was folded underneath itself, so that the names of the candidates were not visible, Ms. Bernstein said. She asked for more details and told the man she was a judge — at which point he yanked the clipboard away, she said, and asked: “Am I going to get in trouble?”

The petition was for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign, which is working to collect the signatures needed to secure a spot for him on the November ballot in New York State. The campaign needs 45,000 but is aiming for more than 100,000. Candidates often collect far more signatures than they need in case some end up being invalidated for various reasons.

“At a minimum, it’s misleading,” Ms. Bernstein said of the interaction. “I was just pretty much taken aback.”

More than a half-dozen New York City residents, including two who are journalists at The New York Times and were approached randomly, have described similar encounters with signature gatherers for Mr. Kennedy in Brooklyn over the past three weeks. In each case, the resident was approached by a clipboard-wielding petitioner and asked to support “independent” or “progressive” candidates, or, in one case, to help get Democrats and President Biden on the ballot.

In three cases, the petitioners said that they were being paid for the work, the people who were approached said; in four cases, the petitioners said they had been told by a supervisor not to show or mention Mr. Kennedy’s name. Descriptions and photographs of the petitioners suggest that they are at least four different people. The petitioners themselves could not be identified or reached for comment.

In each of the encounters described to The Times, the names of Mr. Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan , were hidden by the paper being folded. Only the slate of electors — the little-known people designated to vote for the candidates in the Electoral College — was visible in fine print at the top.

Most of the New Yorkers who spoke with The Times have experience in law or politics, including two who have worked in Democratic politics. They all said they had found their encounter curious, which led them to post about it on social media or reach out to reporters. In two cases, they reported the matter to state officials.

Mr. Kennedy’s campaign manager, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, who is also his daughter-in-law, said the described conduct was “utterly at odds with all of our intensive training and materials.” She said the campaign would take legal action against any paid contractor found to be engaging in such activities.

Ms. Kennedy said the campaign had a number of paid contractors in New York, who in turn tended to hire local crews, “who themselves often hire others.” She said the campaign would undertake a review of its gathered petitions “for any hint of folded paper,” adding that the campaign staff members responsible for routine fraud checks had not seen any sign of such activity.

“We take ballot access, voter rights and truthfulness extremely seriously around here,” Ms. Kennedy said. “It’s the very substance of what motivates us to fight the establishment parties in the first place.”

Slippery or misleading tactics are hardly novel in the world of signature-gathering to gain ballot access for political candidates. Campaigns often turn to outside firms — who in turn hire temporary workers — to perform the time-consuming, expensive work of stopping residents on the street. Mr. Kennedy needs to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures across the country as his campaign scrambles to get him on the ballot in all 50 states , relying on a sprawling network of volunteers, contractors, consultants and lawyers.

While some of the encounters described to The Times could be considered misleading yet legal, others could fall into the category of election fraud, legal experts said, or could at least be used as fodder for court challenges.

James A. Gardner, a professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law, said that even folding petitions to conceal the names of candidates probably amounted to fraud. “This is one of those strange instances where the law and common sense align,” Mr. Gardner said.

The whole point of gathering signatures, Mr. Gardner said, is to show that a base of qualified voters in the state want to vote for that candidate. “There is New York case law that invalidates petitions when the purpose of the petition has been fraudulently misrepresented.”

He pointed to a 1959 court ruling that arose from a case in Queens, in which a judge ruled that residents had been fraudulently induced to sign a petition supporting a slate of candidates for local office: The petitions had been folded to conceal their true purpose, and people were told they were signing onto school busing or tax proposals. The judge ruled that the candidates could not be placed on the ballot.

But Jeffrey M. Wice, a professor at New York Law School who specializes in elections and voting rights, said he was not sure if state law explicitly outlawed misleading petitions, or if folding down the sheets would count as altering them illegally.

“This really gets down to whether the Kennedy petitions are challenged down the road,” Mr. Wice said. “If they are, this could be brought to the court’s attention.”

Mr. Kennedy, 70, an environmental lawyer who in recent years has become a prominent vaccine skeptic and purveyor of conspiracy theories, is already on the ballot in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Utah and Michigan, a battleground state. His campaign says he has also gathered enough signatures in Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio. Legal challenges are all but certain, as Democratic allies of Mr. Biden wage a fierce campaign to block Mr. Kennedy from state ballots.

New York is one of the least hospitable states for independent and third-party candidates, after the 2020 passage of a law that sharply limited automatic party ballot access and set up stringent rules for gathering signatures. Independent candidates have just six weeks to gather 45,000 verified signatures. Across the country, the process has long been ripe for misleading tactics, mistakes or fraud: Several Republican candidates for governor in Michigan were knocked off the ballot in 2022 because of forged signatures collected by outside petition companies .

The Kennedy campaign has hundreds of volunteers gathering signatures across New York State. A training document for these volunteers, which was viewed by The Times, gives clear instructions about how to gather petition signatures, starting with: “Do not misrepresent yourself or the petition in any way.”

The volunteers’ work has been supplemented with paid signature gatherers.

Jeffrey Norquist, a professor of sociology at Farmingdale State College, said he had been approached on the platform at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station, a heavily trafficked area and major transportation hub in Brooklyn, and was asked if he would sign a petition to get third-party candidates on the ballot.

“I am usually game for this sort of thing,” Dr. Norquist said. But he noticed that the top of the page had been folded, obscuring the candidates, and he asked why. The man said it was a petition for Mr. Kennedy, and Dr. Norquist walked away.

Two days later, he saw a man on the same platform — he could not say if it was the same one, “a late-20s basic white dude” — and Dr. Norquist asked him why he was ”deceiving” people. It did not matter, the man said, because Mr. Biden was going to win New York anyway. He said he was just looking to make a few dollars.

Joel S. Berg, who leads a hunger- and food-security nonprofit group, was out for a run on a Saturday in late April when he saw a man with a petition clipboard. A veteran of Democratic politics and petitioning efforts, Mr. Berg stopped. He recalled that the man said he was trying to help “Joe Biden and other Democrats,” and then murmured: “And Kennedy.”

Mr. Berg said that he asked the man if he was a paid canvasser, and that the man said he was. “I didn’t really want to bust his chops,” Mr. Berg said. “But if a campaign I liked did something deceptive, I would have been offended.”

Ira Pearlstein, a lawyer, said he had been approached twice on the sidewalk near Barclays Center in Brooklyn, right above the Atlantic Avenue subway station. The first time, he said, a man told him the petition was for “any candidate” to be placed on the ballot, but when Mr. Pearlstein unfolded it, he saw Mr. Kennedy’s name at the top.

“I told him this is very misleading, and very undemocratic,” Mr. Pearlstein recounted. The man, he said, responded that he would not bother him anymore.

The second time, Mr. Pearlstein said he was approached by a young man who said that he was a student, and that he hoped to make some money on the side. Mr. Pearlstein echoed his concern about the misleading petition. “It almost sounded like he didn’t quite know,” Mr. Pearlstein said.

Mr. Pearlstein said that his wife — who said she had been approached separately — had reported the matter to state election officials.

A spokeswoman for the New York State Board of Elections referred questions to the board’s division of election-law enforcement, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Ms. Bernstein, the judge, also reported her encounter to state officials. Then, standing on the subway platform last week, she felt a tap on the shoulder.

It was the same man, asking if she wanted to sign the same petition.

She answered with the most New York of questions: “Are you kidding me?”

Nick Corasaniti contributed reporting.

Rebecca Davis O’Brien covers campaign finance and money in U.S. elections. She previously covered federal law enforcement, courts and criminal justice. More about Rebecca Davis O’Brien

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race

President Biden’s economic adviser said lawmakers should sharply raise taxes on corporations and the rich  when tax cuts signed in law by former President Trump expire next year.

A partisan battle in Ohio has stalled an effort by state lawmakers to ensure that President Biden is on the ballot  in the state this November, teeing up what could be an expensive and protracted legal battle ahead of this year’s election.

Donald Trump told a group of oil executives and lobbyists that they should donate $1 billion to his presidential campaign  because, if elected, he would roll back environmental rules that he said hampered their industry.

Mexico Prepares for a Trump Win:  Behind the scenes, the Mexican government is talking to people close  to the Trump campaign about proposals such as a threat of a “universal tariff” on imported goods, and working to resolve trade disagreements before the U.S. election.

R.F.K. Jr. Signature Gatherers:  More than half a dozen New York City residents described encounters with people seeking  their signature who did not make clear that their aim was to place the independent 2024 candidate on the ballot.

Sensing Shift on Abortion:  Are Latinas — once considered too religious or too socially conservative to support abortion rights — changing their views on the issue? Democrats are optimistic .

A Wild Card in Texas:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, expects to be on the ballot in Texas. His addition could lend a hand to the Democratic challenger seeking to unseat Senator Ted Cruz .

The Spinoff

Society Yesterday at 5.00am

The sunday essay: a buzzy year.

• Share Story

My husband is posted overseas for 12 months and I’m armed with an expensive, newfangled vibrator. Will I miss him? 

The Sunday Essay  is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.

A few days after my husband leaves, a new sex toy arrives at the front door. Nestled in its sleek black box, the Share Satisfaction Kama Suction & G-Spot Vibrator looks expensive with its two heads of soft purple silicone and rose gold detailing. The instructions tell me it is waterproof and rechargeable, and an online review says it makes women feel like they don’t need men any more. Perfect.

I rip off the plastic wrapping and rush to my bedroom to take it for a quick test drive. Afterwards, I lie there stunned, waiting for my ragged breathing to return to normal before giving the machine a wipe down and stuffing it guiltily into the back of the wardrobe.

My husband of 13 years is posted overseas for work and we make the difficult decision that the family won’t join him, at least for now. I feel furious and helpless, yet strangely resigned to the situation. We’ve done this before and are still alive to tell the tale. Between our children’s painful sobs and our own salty tears, we say goodbye with a loaded look over little heads and a chaste peck on the cheek.  

Knowing my habit of getting grumpier and grumpier the longer I go between orgasms, my thoughtful husband has a fancy new vibrator couriered to the house to tide me over while he is gone. It’s a lovely idea in theory, but the first time using my new toy is actually quite alarming. 

There’s no time to consult my wank bank or relax into the sensations as the electric dildo takes less than a minute to send me screaming into my pillow. Rather than a lovely post-coital glow, I lie there in shock thinking, What the fuck just happened?! Brought to climax with such Fordist efficiency, it’s like the machine was processing me in the shortest amount of time rather than generating any kind of gratification or pleasure. I feel used and confused, like I have been seduced by a cruel lover who skipped all the foreplay for a “wham, bam, thank you ma’am”. But in this case, the pleasure was all mine. 

I definitely don’t want a repeat performance and plan to chalk this strange encounter up to a meaningless one night stand, but my insatiable appetite has other ideas, and a few weeks later I find myself getting squirmy and uptight again. So, for purely therapeutic stress-release purposes, I decide I should give my new-found friend another go.

Only I never get the opportunity. The itch is there, but so are my kids. Sleeping in my bed. Every. Single. Night. The poor munchkins, devastated by their dad’s departure, cling to me like limpets and can’t seem to sleep in their own rooms. Their constant presence gives me no space to think, no space to cry and most frustratingly, no space to wank. 

I n many ways, life is less complicated with my husband gone: no compromising, no negotiating, no nagging to get off the couch. But it’s hard work solo parenting and I start to miss his rare but adorable smile, his uncanny ability to always play the perfect song for the vibe, and his prowess in both the kitchen and the bedroom. 

Feeling myself getting hornier and hornier, I organise some overnight babysitting with the grandparents. It’s like prepping for date night, only my casanova is a handheld device that won’t be wining and dining me first. 

With the house blissfully empty, I dim the lights, blast Lorde on the record player and down a gin and tonic for courage, before reaching for the purple people-pleaser. Mucking around with the buttons, I find that both the ribbed shaft and clit sucker thingamajiggy have ten settings that get progressively stronger and more chaotic with their throbbing and pulsing. Flicking through them reminds me of trying to find a bearable ringtone on my early 2000s Nokia. The crescendoing brrrr brrrr BRRRR , the syncopated dit-dah-dit-dah dit-dah , the relentless staccato bup-bup-bup-bup-bup-bup are all weird as hell and far too intense for a novice like me. So I stick to the first setting – just a low-key but persistent buzz – and once again find myself almost immediately succumbing to its brutal but effective stimulation.

In my mind, this maniacal machine with its killer moves has the personality of a Bond villain who doesn’t relent when I beg for mercy. I call him Vlad the Vibrator – Mr V for short – and despite my mixed feelings about him, the deep ache in my loins motivates me to seek him out for more high jinks. But I have to be furtive, snatching moments of privacy in the shower or sneaking into another room when the kids are asleep. It’s deranged. And exciting.

After a while, I become more used to Mr V coming on strong and our lovemaking sessions become less of a sprint and more of a middle-distance event. I explore his ripples and curves and become familiar with his rhythms and flows. Finally, I get past the first setting, but only by a notch or two. 

It’s an uncomplicated relationship. Mr V doesn’t make any demands of me, doesn’t infuriate with his strong opinions or keep me awake with his snoring. I bet that if I needed someone to talk to, he’d be a really good listener. Our affair blossoms, and while there is no depth to this relationship – he is all high RPM and low EQ – at least my physical needs are being met. 

I rave about Mr V to anyone who’ll listen; his mad skills whispered about at work, wrapped up in a cute anecdote over dinner, and shouted across the dancefloor at a party. I sound like an infomercial: “Is your love life lacking lustre? Does your partner have trouble locating the clitoris? Reliable orgasms or your money back, guaranteed!” I respond to my own zealous sales pitch by buying Mr V clones for some friends I think could do with some pleasure of their own.

T he longer my husband is away, the less I think about him. I start to forget the way he smells, the way he moves, the way it feels to have him in my orbit. We FaceTime, but the calls are irregular and usually dominated by the kids. Technology doesn’t bridge the distance between us so when we do get to talk, it is all surface fluff and banal practicalities and we can’t seem to connect on any kind of emotional level. I start to wonder if I actually need him at all.

I am, after all, a strong independent woman, working hard at my day job, solo parenting like a boss and running the house smooth as clockwork. I feel liberated and empowered when I take care of stereotypically male chores like pruning the trees, laying ant poison, or fixing a broken door latch. See, I don’t need a man!

Then one night our house gets robbed. The invasion makes me feel vulnerable and I’m gutted to discover among the ransacked mess that Mr V’s charging cable is one of the hundreds of things that have been stolen. I’m too busy filing insurance claims and replacing duvets and kitchen appliances to worry, and besides, I haven’t had to charge him before so he must have good staying power. 

But during a future liaison, tragedy strikes. I’m close to fireworks when Mr V suddenly stops in his tracks: no wind-down, no spluttering last few wiggles, just straight-up dead and unmoving in my hand. Unsatisfied and unhinged, I wail into the darkness and send an SOS text to my husband, who, knowing a cry for help when he hears one, orders me a replacement cable pronto. A few days later it arrives on the doorstep, and a few hours later my lubed-up lover is ready for action. 

I lie back dreamily anticipating the pleasure to follow, but am horrified to discover that at full battery power Mr V is back to being the ruthless maniac of our first few romps. I realise that I hadn’t become used to him at all, he had just been slowly losing steam! 

The honeymoon is over. Everything I thought I loved about Mr V is gone again. I curse his aggressive vibrations, robotic precision and cruel detached efficiency. Yes, I want a happy ending, but I want to travel long meandering roads that eventually lead to the destination. In order for him to become bearable again, I’ll have to run down his battery, but I can’t face putting up with him full throttle in the meantime. 

Meanwhile, my feminist facade starts to crumble. I don’t know how to sharpen the kitchen knives so they get more blunt, the ladder doesn’t reach the light bulbs in the ceiling so the house gets gloomier, and because I know fuck-all about cars, I suspect I am being swindled by my mechanic. I hate to admit it, but I could really use a man right now. 

A s I spend yet another evening alone on the couch, I find myself looking wistfully at the shiny patch on the armrest worn smooth over the years by my husband’s feet and realise that I don’t just need a man, I need my man. But my man is still working on the other side of the world and has no idea when he will be back. 

My little unit of three does experience moments of hilarity and joy, but overall our sense of stability is sliding and everyone’s behaviour is deteriorating. I’m exhausted and snappy, my daughter is a nervous wreck and my son gets increasingly violent, lashing out at his sister and me. I do my best to keep us all sane and safe, but I feel like I’m drowning. 

Bitterly, I wish that my husband’s so-called replacement could materialise into human form to protect me from the flying fists and to comfort me when I cry. But Mr V lies static and useless in his box, and despite desperately needing some stress relief, I no longer have the capacity to take advantage of his only useful function. 

Weeks of hell stretch into months of survival mode, until one day my husband announces he is quitting his job and coming home. A weight instantly lifts from my shoulders, and some sunshine peeks through those ever-present storm clouds. The kids are ecstatic.

Driving to the airport, I feel butterflies in my tummy, the nervous kind. It has been almost a year since my husband left, and I’m worried that our relationship won’t recover from the time apart.  When I see him I let out an involuntary squeal and rush towards him in a clumsy mess of excitement and tears. He is much taller and more handsome than I remember, which makes me hesitate, but as soon as he envelopes me in his big, strong arms, my head fitting neatly under his chin, I know that I am exactly where I belong.

Back home, we fall back into the familiar rhythms of bottom pats and affectionate pisstakes. My husband is funny, gentle and kind, cuddling the kids and whipping us up a delicious dinner. His quiet presence fills every corner of the house, and if I look at things sideways, it almost feels like he never left. He assumes his usual position on the couch, and for once it doesn’t bother me.

That night, we shyly become reacquainted with each other. He jokes that he won’t live up to the performance of Mr V, but he needn’t have worried. The feeling of skin on skin is incredible and his body, so warm and smelling like caramel, makes me melt. I rediscover the smoothness of his inner thigh, the softness of his ear lobe, that dip by his hip bone that I like to squeeze. He covers my back in the sweetest of kisses and eagerly responds to my urges and desires. 

It is slow, sensual and sexy as hell, but best of all, there is laughter and love. And it lasts more than a few minutes.