Jeff Johannigman
People Type Consulting
Jeff Johannigman, founder of People Type Consulting, is an award winning speaker, trainer, and consultant who has helped thousands of people find more fulfilling careers. His career spans a broad spectrum of industries, including software startups, non-profit agencies, universities, and Fortune 50 corporations.
Have a career-related question? Write to Jeff at: jeff@joblessjoe.com
Dear Job Coach Jeff,
I am always stumped when the question is: "What motivates you?"
Duh....gotta buy dog food for my beloved 88lb Black Lab Sister Dog...or God...or paying my dues to just survive? I never know what to say. I look so dumbfounded and I am speechless! It seems that question follows me around like a plague!!!! I sure hope you can help me figure out just what kind of answer the interviewer is looking for me to give.
Thanks and thank God for folks who are not only concerned BUT actively helping man-woman-kind get through this nightmare. I am 64 and have NEVER seen it so hard for people to get work. I have always worked in a library (13yrs) mostly in AV Technical, but took the first available state job I could get. Now at 64, I work harder than I have ever worked in my life in a situation far from the At-Least-Master's-Degreed folks I've always been around....and am thankful just to be able to go to work!
Sincerely,
Neta B., Madison, WI
I agree Neta, that I have also never seen it as difficult for folks to find jobs as it has been for the last year. I think we need to go back to the Great Depression to recall a time when so many have struggled for so long. All the more reason to support each other and just be kind.
As for the “What motivates you?” question – I believe it is one of the most important questions for an employer to ask. There are two types of motivations: external and internal. An external motivation is any reward somebody else gives you for doing your job. It may be money, recognition, a promotion, or a vacation trip. However, employers have usually found that external motivations are only partially effective. People who are only motivated by money often work only hard enough to get paid, and little more. Over time, they also need more and more of an external motivator to keep doing the same amount of work.
Internal motivation, on the other hand, is any type of inherent enjoyment and fulfillment you get from the job itself. Internally motivated people derive satisfaction from such things as:
- solving a complex technical problem
- beating a hard to achieve goal or quota
- being the “go to” expert for a given subject matter
- helping others through a crisis
- creating a new idea or artistic expression
- organizing and implementing a complex project
Employers have found that internally motivated people are more productive, because they thrive on the work itself.
However, there is a much more important reason to understand your true motivations than just having a good answer to an interview question. Ultimately, nobody is fulfilled by external motivations. The secret to a fulfilling career lies in understanding your deepest internal motivations, and finding opportunities to satisfy them on a daily basis.
How do you do that? Start by examining the times you took on difficult tasks that you WEREN’T getting paid for. Why did you do them? What are you proudest of? What made you feel good afterwards? Ultimately, those internal rewards stay with you long after the money is spent. So, seek out the answer to “what motivates you” well before that interview, and let your answer guide you to the most fulfilling work for yourself.
Motivation
Great article, there's definitely a big difference between "just a job" and truly enjoying your work. Sometimes you have to really break down what motivates you outside of your job to understand this question. What motivates you outside of your job could be gardening, basketball, theater, or relaxing in the sun. While these may be jobs for some, the majority of people do not hold these occupations. However, if you enjoy playing basketball perhaps you would be more motivated as a member of a team constantly working together to achieve your goals. If gardening is more your thing you may prefer a position that allows you to work alone in a quite environment. Of course, this is over-simplified and life is often more complex than that. The important thing is to begin thinking along these lines and find out where it takes you. As far as what to do if you prefer relaxing in the sun - I still haven't figured that one out but I'm still looking for the answer!
Having the "right" answer for all those interview questions is only part of the battle. Be sure to have your own questions that will help establish if the job is right for you. Ask the interviewer to, "Describe the qualities you believe are necessary to excel in this position". Come up with your own set of questions that will help you establish if a position matches up with your "internal motivation".