Do you think your professional skills are the most important thing for your future employer? Think again. 73% of employers value something else the most: Your motivation.
It might sound surprising. But think about it: Professional skills can be learned. Motivation comes from within. And for an employer, there's a big difference between hiring someone who "can" do the job – and someone who really "wants" the job.
In this guide, you'll learn why motivation is so crucial, and exactly where you need to show it in your job search.
The numbers speak for themselves
Research among Danish employers shows:
- 73% value that you show motivation for the job the most
- 52% believe job seekers should spend more time understanding their own motivation
- 80% read the CV before the application – and skip the application if the CV doesn't capture their interest
This means that if you don't clearly show your motivation, you risk being filtered out – regardless of how qualified you are.
Key message: Companies don't just want someone who can solve the tasks. They want someone who really wants the job and is motivated for it.
What is motivation really?
Motivation is about describing why you want this particular job. Not just "I want to have a job" – but what specifically appeals to you about:
- The job and the work tasks
- The company and its mission
- The industry and its development
- The opportunity to use your strengths
The more specific you can be, the more credible your motivation becomes.
Where should you show your motivation?
Motivation isn't something you save for the application. It should permeate your entire job search.
In your CV
Most people think the CV is only about experience and education. But remember: 80% of employers read the CV first. If it doesn't capture their interest, they don't even read your application.
That's why we recommend starting your profile summary with 1-2 sentences describing your motivation for the specific job you're applying for.
Example:
"Experienced customer service professional with a passion for creating great customer experiences. I'm applying for the position at [Company Name] because I'm passionate about working with a brand that puts the customer first."
Notice that the motivation is specific and mentions the company. This shows that the CV is targeted – not a generic document.
In your application
In the application, you have room to elaborate. Start by describing your motivation – not where you found the job posting.
Avoid: "I saw your job posting on Jobindex and would like to apply for the position."
Do instead: "I've been following [Company Name] for several years and am fascinated by your approach to [specific thing]. That's why I was excited when I saw your posting for [position]."
Use 3-6 lines to elaborate on what motivates you. Ask yourself:
- What motivates me about the job?
- What motivates me about the company?
- How does it align with my values and goals?
On LinkedIn
If you use LinkedIn, remember that your motivation should also be visible there. Since you're not applying for a specific position, you should describe it more generally – what drives you in your field?
Use the "About" section to explain what motivates you about your professional area and the types of tasks you're passionate about.
At the job interview
When you're invited for an interview, the employer is already interested. Now it's about confirming your motivation and letting them feel that you really want the job.
Often the interview starts with: "Tell us a bit about yourself." Use that moment to highlight your motivation:
"Before I tell you about my background, I'd like to share a few words about why this particular job motivates me..."
And when the interview ends and they ask if you have any questions, you can close by reiterating your motivation:
"It's been a really great conversation. I just want to say that I'm still very interested in becoming part of the team and look forward to contributing to the exciting tasks we've discussed."
This becomes the last impression they have of you – and it's worth making it positive.
The classic mistake
Many simply write: "I am very motivated for the job." That says nothing. It's empty.
Instead, be specific:
- What exactly motivates you?
- Why is it important to you?
- How does it fit with the company?
The more specific you are, the more credible you become.
Try it yourself
Take a job posting you're interested in and answer these questions:
- What appeals to me about the work tasks?
- What appeals to me about the company?
- How does it align with my personal values?
Write your answers in 3-5 sentences. That's the start of your motivation description.
Frequently asked questions
Should I really include motivation in my CV?
Yes. 80% of employers read the CV first and skip the application if the CV doesn't capture their attention. 1-2 sentences about motivation in your profile summary can make the difference.
What if I don't know what motivates me?
That's completely normal. In the upcoming guides, you'll learn to define your motivation factor. But start by thinking about: What work tasks give you energy? What do you want to achieve?
Is motivation more important than experience?
For many employers, yes. Experience can be learned, but motivation comes from within. A motivated employee performs better and stays longer.
Next step
Now you know why motivation is so important – and where you need to show it. In the next guide, we dive into 5 reasons to define your motivation, so you understand why it's worth spending time on.