How Understanding Your Motivation Can Set You Apart to Interviewers

Knowing why you want a job before stepping into an interview needs to be a preparation priority.

The job market is competitive right now as we all know, so being able to clearly communicate what motivates you can set you apart. It shows interviewers that you’re not just another applicant for the role, but that you’ve put thought into your career and what drives you.

As you read, I’ll walk you through how to identify your personal motivations and how you can use that understanding to leave a lasting impression during your interviews. For reference preparing candidates for interviews is something I do multiple times a day, below are the tips and insights that I share in these sessions.

Here’s why it's so important to know your motivation before the interview…

Outline Your Goals and Align Them with the Company

Before your interview, do some research into the company’s values, history, and culture. The more you know, the easier it is to connect your own goals with what the company stands for.

For example, if the company has a long-standing reputation for investing in its employees, you can talk about how you’re looking for a place where you can grow professionally. Linking your goals to what the company offers helps to create a strong and authentic connection during the interview.

Think About What You Want from the Company

It’s equally important to know what you want from the company. Are you looking for career progression, a healthy work-life balance, or a workplace that values innovation? Having a mental checklist helps you ask the right questions during the interview to see if the company is a good fit for you.   

For instance, if career growth is at the top of your list, ask about their internal promotion process. If work culture is important, ask about team-building activities or how they support employee well-being. Not only does this give you valuable insight, but it also shows the interviewer that you’re thinking seriously about the role.

 What happens if you don’t know your key motivators?

Going into an interview without a clear sense of your motivation will naturally lead  you into problems. You might end up accepting a role that doesn’t truly fit your needs, leading to dissatisfaction down the line and ultimately back on the job hunt.

Without a clear motivation, your answers in the interview can come across as vague or even unfocused, which could make it seem you didn’t prepare well enough. Being clear about what drives you presents a confident, engaged candidate who knows what they want.

That’s the kind of impression you want to leave on any interviewer.

Now how can you pinpoint what motivates you?

Knowing what excites you at work makes a huge difference. Are you someone who thrives on problem-solving? Do you enjoy collaborating with others, or is finishing a big project what gives you the most satisfaction?

Understanding your motivators helps you show passion and purpose in an interview.

How to prepare for the interview…

Look Back on Past Experiences
 Think about your previous roles—what did you enjoy the most? Was it the challenge of solving a problem, working as part of a team, or seeing a project through to completion? These reflections will help you identify your core motivators.

Connect Your Motivators to the Role
 Once you’ve identified what drives you, link those motivators to the job you’re applying for. If you’re passionate about problem-solving, for example, explain how the role offers challenges you’re eager to tackle.

Set Clear Goals
 Having clear professional and personal goals that align with the role shows you’re thinking long-term. If you want to become a team leader, for instance, talk about how the position offers opportunities for leadership and how the company supports that kind of growth.

Being able to clearly communicate your motivation during an interview not only helps you stand out, but it also ensures that the role and the company are the right fit for you. Taking the time to reflect on what drives you is essential for both your short-term success in the interview and your long-term career satisfaction.

So before your next interview, take a moment to think about what motivates you, what you want from a job, and how that lines up with the company you're interviewing with.