Motivation and initiative are two key attributes that will be necessary in almost any job or field, and you may see them appear in many job descriptions. But unlike harder skills, these soft skills can be difficult to showcase effectively in an interview.
So how do you show that you are motivated in a job interview? We’ve put together a few strategies to help you.
What are Motivation and Initiative?
Motivation is an internal process that guides your behaviours. Motivation is linked to goals, dreams, needs, and desires. In other words, why you do what you do. A motivated person feels a strong pull towards accomplishing a task and reaching a goal, and is therefore more likely to take the necessary steps to get there.
Initiative is related to your ability to assess situations, make decisions, and act independently of being told what to do by others. Initiative and motivation are slightly different from each other, but are closely connected.
Employers and managers value highly motivated people with strong senses of initiative because these employees tend to be hard working, dedicated, goal-orientated, and able to think for themselves and make appropriate decisions at work.
Now that you understand what motivation and initiative are, here are a few ways to help you show them off in job interviews.
Have a Clear Sense of Your Goals
Motivation is all about what drives you to achieve your goals. This means that you will need to have a strong sense of what your goals are and how they are connected to the job you’re applying for. Think about big picture goals as well as smaller ones. In other words, what do you want to achieve now and what do you want to achieve a few years from now?
Knowing your goals does not need to mean having an entire life plan mapped out. But you should at least know what you want to do next and why, as well as how this particular job will help you to get there.
The “Why Do You Want This Job” Question?
Many interviewers like to open their interviews with this question or a variation of it. It can be a
great way for them to start a conversation and begin to get a sense of who you are as a person. And for you, answering this question is a great way to show your motivation.
What is it about this specific job that appeals to you (beyond the pay, close proximity to where you live, or swanky offices?) Perhaps you’re particularly interested in a specific area the company works in. Maybe the role would give you an opportunity to use and strengthen your skills in a specific area.
Perhaps you’re driven by a desire to help people, alleviate a particular problem, or explore the possibilities of a new technology. Whatever it is, this is your time to talk about it.
Back Up Your Answers with Evidence
It’s easy to tell an interviewer that you are motivated and great at showing initiative, but they are more likely to take your word for it if you can show evidence.
Before your interview, write down 5-7 examples of times at work when you have used your motivation to get a task done well, used your initiative, or used either of these skills to resolve a difficult situation. Make a note of as many details as possible.
Most importantly when giving examples, focus on outcomes. In other words, tell the interviewer what you did, but also tell them what it meant. For example, did you show initiative to come up with a creative solution to a problem? Talk about what was achieved, who benefited, and why it was a positive outcome.
Show Pride in Your Achievements
An interview is an opportunity to show off about some of the things you have achieved in your working life. You might be asked questions that begin with “tell me about a time when…” When you answer these questions, keep the things that motivate you in mind and reference them when you talk about your achievements.
For example, if you are highly motivated by helping others, you might talk about going above and beyond to help a customer in your previous role. These specific examples show that you can bring your motivation to life in concrete ways that will benefit your company, clients, or customers.
Be Authentic
Motivation is very, very difficult to fake convincingly. Therefore, it is essential to be yourself in the interview and tell the truth, not what you think the interviewer wants to hear.
Remember that an interview is a two-way conversation. You are being assessed as a potential candidate, but you are also assessing whether the role is right for you. Being open and honest about your motivations gives both you and the interviewer the best chances of making an informed choice about whether you are a fit for the job.
By being yourself, you can’t go far wrong. Now go and ace your interview!
