How to answer: What motivates you to do a good job?

Your answer to “What motivates you to do a good job?” has to be authentic and aligned with the job you seek.

The number one goal of a job interview is to get a job offer. You do that by making a great impression and wowing the hiring manager with your achievements. As you talk about your achievements, it’s only natural that a hiring manager might ask, “What motivates you to do a good job?’

They want to know what drives you to accomplish the things you’ve achieved, and being ready to answer this very common interview question can help you stand out from rival job seekers. It’s time to learn how to answer, “What motivates you to do a good job?” with some tips and sample answers.

Why do recruiters ask this question?

Employers want to hire someone who is going to do more than just show up, complete tasks, and clock out. They want to know if your motivations align with the company culture and whether you have the passion to succeed. When you’re asked, “What motivates you to do a good job?” you get a chance to describe what keeps you committed and eager to do your job well.

The best ways to answer, with examples

When you're asked, “What motivates you to do a good job?” focus on your true drivers and how they align with the role you’re applying for. The key is to be honest, professional, and specific. Your answer should show that you are motivated by something meaningful and relevant to the job.

Here are some great ways to answer this question:

1. Professional growth as a motivator

A great way to impress a hiring manager or recruiter is to show them you are dedicated to continuous learning. This can include anything from developing new skills to taking on additional challenges at work and seeking opportunities to expand your knowledge.

You can demonstrate growth as a motivator by talking about industry events you’ve attended, courses you’ve taken, or advice you’ve received (and acted on) from mentors. All of this demonstrates initiative and a strong work ethic.

Sample answer:

“I thrive on learning and pushing my limits. When I take on a new project, I see it as a chance to sharpen my skills, embrace new challenges, and contribute in meaningful ways. The sense of progress and continuous improvement excites me, and I love seeing how my efforts make a difference over time.”

2. Having a sense of purpose

On top of using your answer to “What motivates you to do a good job?” to talk about your passion and commitment to excellence, mention that you know what you do has an impact on the greater good – the company as a whole. Talk about how your work helps others, contributes to a larger goal, or solves meaningful problems.

Some great opportunities to bring this up in your answer can be for you to mention how you take pride in helping customers or finding ways to make processes run smoother.

Sample answer:

“What motivates me to do a good job is knowing that my efforts create a real impact. Whether it's making a customer's day easier, solving complex problems, or streamlining processes to boost efficiency, I take pride in knowing that my work contributes to something bigger. Seeing the results of my efforts motivates me to push forward and continue improving.”

3. Emphasize teamwork and collaboration

If you thrive in a team environment, make sure to highlight your ability to collaborate and support your colleagues. Employers want to see that you can communicate effectively, share ideas, and contribute to group success.

Talk about how working with others fuels your motivation, whether it’s solving problems together, brainstorming creative solutions, or simply supporting one another through challenges. A strong team player helps foster a positive work environment, and showing that you embrace teamwork can leave a lasting impression on recruiters.

Sample answer:

“Collaboration energizes me. I love bouncing ideas off my colleagues, learning from different perspectives, and working toward shared goals. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being part of a team that supports each other and achieves success together.”

4. Show enthusiasm for challenges and problem-solving

Do you like puzzles? Your response to “What motivates you to do a good job?” can be all about how you enjoy tackling complex problems and finding innovative solutions. In fact, employers value candidates who enjoy overcoming obstacles and thinking critically.

Talk about a time when you faced a tough challenge and how you approached it. Maybe you identified an inefficiency and developed a new process, or perhaps you collaborated with a team to solve a difficult issue. Demonstrating your enthusiasm for problem-solving not only highlights your skills but also shows your ability to adapt and grow in the workplace.

Sample Answer: "Challenges fuel my creativity and problem-solving skills. I love taking complex situations, breaking them down, and finding practical, effective solutions.

I remember a time when my team was struggling with an outdated workflow that slowed everything down. I researched a new system that streamlined the process, reduced delays, and improved overall efficiency. Seeing the positive impact of that change – how it made everyone's jobs easier and improved productivity – gave me a real sense of accomplishment."

5. Mention achievements and recognition

For many people, the satisfaction of setting and achieving goals is a powerful motivator. If you find fulfillment in tracking progress and reaching milestones, be sure to highlight this in your answer to this question.

Employers appreciate candidates who take initiative and strive for continuous improvement. You can talk about how you’ve completed a challenging project, met a tight deadline, or surpassed performance expectations to demonstrate your drive to succeed.

Sample Answer: "I find motivation in setting ambitious goals and surpassing them. Seeing my hard work translate into measurable achievements gives me a strong sense of accomplishment. When I was at More Toys For Kids, I completed a major 6-person project after half the team was reassigned.

When all was said and done, my manager personally commended my leadership and dedication in front of the entire team. That moment of recognition stirred something in me – a desire to keep pushing myself forward."

Tips for getting your answer just right

Your answer to “What motivates you to do a good job?” starts with some best practices and knowing what not to say, as much as what to say. Putting your answer together involves finding a balance between honesty and strategy so that you end up with an answer that is genuinely you, but that also demonstrates you’re the right fit for the job.

Be sure to elaborate to optimize your answer

No hiring manager wants to hear a vague or general response. So, to make your response more compelling, go beyond a simple statement of motivation and add depth by explaining why it matters to you and how it has shaped your work ethic.

Here are some ways you can expand your answer:

Be specific: Instead of saying, "I like problem-solving," explain how you tackled a challenge at a previous job. Hint: you’ll be using the STAR method.
Give a relevant example: Share a short, specific story about a time when your motivation led to success at work.
Be honest: Choose a motivation that genuinely drives you but also aligns with the role you’re applying for.
Show enthusiasm: Speak confidently and with energy to demonstrate your passion.

Sample answer using the STAR method:

“One thing that truly motivates me is seeing the direct impact of my work.

(Situation) At my previous job, our customer service team was struggling with response times, leading to frustrated customers and lower satisfaction ratings.

(Task) I analyzed response trends and identified key bottlenecks.

(Action) Then, I proposed a streamlined ticketing system and collaborated with my team to implement new response protocols.

(Result) Within three months, we reduced response times by 40% and increased customer satisfaction scores by 20%. Seeing those results firsthand reinforced my motivation to tackle challenges head-on and find solutions that make a difference.”

Tips on what not to say (or do)

Getting that just-right answer to “What motivates you to do a good job?” isn’t just about what you say – it’s also about what you avoid. Interviewers want to hear a thoughtful, authentic response that gives them insight into what drives you.

Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of:

Don’t say, "I don’t know." This makes you seem unprepared and suggests you haven’t thought about what truly motivates you.
Avoid generic answers. Saying, "I just like to do a good job," is too vague. Employers want to understand what specifically pushes you to excel.
Don’t focus only on money. While salary is important, hiring managers want to see that you have other motivators, such as personal growth, teamwork, or solving problems.
Avoid negative motivations. Saying you’re only motivated by avoiding failure or staying out of trouble with your boss doesn’t leave a strong impression.
Keep it professional. Avoid overly personal responses like "I need to pay my bills" or "I just want job stability." Instead, focus on motivations that align with the role and company culture.

By steering clear of these pitfalls, you can craft a response that feels genuine, compelling, and aligned with what interviewers are looking for.