Define your motivation factor

"What motivates you?" is one of the most common interview questions. Yet many job seekers struggle to give a clear answer. This guide gives you a concrete method to find your motivation factor – so you can put words to what really drives you.

In the previous guides, we talked about why motivation is the key, 5 reasons to focus on it, and the difference between toward and away-from motivation. Now it's time to get concrete.

The exercise you'll learn here works for all – whether you've worked for 30 years or are just starting out. And you'll get a result you can use directly in your application and interview.

What is a motivation factor?

A motivation factor is a core driver that gives you energy and meaning in your work. It's not a skill or qualification – it's what makes you want to use your skills.

Examples of motivation factors:

• To make a difference for others – helping people, customers, or colleagues
• To solve complex problems – analyzing and finding solutions
• To create something new – innovation, development, building
• To have responsibility – leading, deciding, driving forward
• To teach and share – passing on knowledge to others
• To work in a team – collaborating, sparring, social community
• To achieve results – goals, performance, visible impact
• To develop myself – learning, challenges, growing

Most people have 2-4 core motivation factors. And they are often more stable than we think – they follow us from job to job.

The motivation factor method: 4 steps

Here's a concrete method to find your motivation factors. Set aside 20-30 minutes and find a quiet spot.

Step 1: Find the peak experiences

Think back on your work life – or studies, volunteering, hobbies if you're young. Find 3-5 situations where you felt:

• Full of energy
• Like time flew
• Proud of what you did
• That you were in your element

Write them down. Be as specific as possible: What exactly were you doing? What was the task? Who were you with?

Example: "When I helped a colleague understand a complicated Excel model and saw them use it on their own afterward."

Step 2: Find the pattern

Look at your 3-5 situations. Ask yourself:

• What do they have in common?
• Is it about helping others? Or achieving results?
• Is it about solving problems? Or creating relationships?
• Were you alone or with others?
• Was there pressure – or freedom?

You'll often find that the same theme recurs in several situations. That's your motivation factor.

Step 3: Put words to it

Now you need to formulate your motivation factor in a sentence. It should be:

• Short: 1-2 sentences
• Specific: Not generic clichés
• Toward-focused: What you want to achieve (remember toward vs away-from)

Example formula:
"I'm motivated by [action] because [reason]"

Examples:

• "I'm motivated by helping others become better because it gives me energy to see growth"
• "I'm motivated by solving complex problems because I find deep satisfaction in finding the solution"
• "I'm motivated by creating new systems because I like to leave something better than I found it"

Step 4: Test it

Read your motivation factor out loud. Ask yourself:

• Does it sound like me?
• Could it be adapted to different jobs?
• Would an employer understand it?
• Would I be comfortable saying it in an interview?

If you're unsure, run it by a friend or family member. Ask: "Does this sound like what drives me?"

Concrete example: Mads's motivation factor

Let's follow Mads, 34, who has worked in customer service for 8 years.

Step 1 – Peak experiences:

1. When I resolved a difficult customer complaint and the customer thanked me afterward
2. When I trained a new colleague who became one of the best on the team
3. When I suggested a new process that saved 2 hours daily for the team

Step 2 – Pattern:
In all three situations, Mads helped someone – customer, colleague, team. And he saw a result of his effort.

Step 3 – Formulation:
"I'm motivated by helping others succeed. Whether it's a customer who gets their problem solved or a colleague who develops – the visible result of my effort gives me energy."

Step 4 – Test:
Mads reads it out loud. It sounds like him. He can imagine saying it at a job interview. It works.

Common challenges

"I can't find any peak experiences"

Try thinking more broadly:

• School projects where you excelled
• Volunteer work or association life
• Hobbies where you've been particularly engaged
• Situations in your private life where you helped or created something

The environment doesn't have to be a workplace – it's the type of activity that matters.

"Everything sounds like clichés"

Make it more specific. Instead of "I'm motivated by helping people," try:

• "I'm motivated by helping people understand something complicated"
• "I'm motivated by helping customers get the right solution the first time"
• "I'm motivated by helping colleagues develop their skills"

The more specific, the more credible.

"I have too many motivation factors"

That's fine. Most people have 2-4. But choose the 2 most important for your job search. They should fit the types of jobs you're applying for.

How to use your motivation factor

Once you've defined your motivation factor, you can use it in:

• Your application: Include it in your opening or closing
• Your CV: Mention it in your profile or summary
• The interview: Use it when they ask "what motivates you?"
• Your network: Use it when explaining what you're looking for
• Your elevator pitch: Make it part of your short introduction

Common mistakes to avoid

• Too generic: "I'm motivated by challenges" – what type?
• Too extrinsic: "I'm motivated by salary" – save it for the salary negotiation
• Too negative: "I'm motivated by not being bored" – remember toward motivation
• Too long: If it's more than 2-3 sentences, it becomes vague
• Too dishonest: If you don't mean it, it shows through

Practical tips

• Write down your motivation factor and save it somewhere you can find it
• Revisit it when you've been job seeking for a while – is it still accurate?
• Adapt the phrasing to different companies – but keep the core
• Practice saying it out loud – it should sound natural
• Ask friends/family: "Does this sound like what drives me?"

Try it yourself

Take paper and pen (or a document) and do the exercise now:

1. Write down 3-5 peak experiences from your work life (or elsewhere)
2. Find the pattern – what do they have in common?
3. Formulate your motivation factor in 1-2 sentences
4. Test it by reading it out loud

Save your result. You'll need it in the coming guides – and in your job search.

Frequently asked questions

Next step

Now you've defined your own motivation factor. But how does it connect with the company you're applying to? In the next guide, we look at how to find and match the company's motivation.