You’ve been asked about your motivation. What’s the best way to answer?

1 Know your why

Before you go to the interview, think about why you chose software engineering as your career path. What sparked your interest in coding? What problems do you enjoy solving? What skills do you want to develop? How do you align with the company’s mission and values? These are some of the questions that can help you identify your intrinsic motivation, which is the most powerful and genuine source of inspiration. Your answer should reflect your personal and professional goals, as well as your enthusiasm for learning and growing.

2 Show your how

Once you have your why, you need to back it up with examples of how you demonstrate your motivation. This is where you can showcase your achievements, projects, challenges, and feedback that prove your skills and potential. You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your stories and highlight your actions and outcomes. Make sure you quantify your impact and show how you added value to your previous or current roles, teams, or clients.

3 Avoid common pitfalls

There are some things you should avoid when answering the motivation question. Don’t give vague or generic answers that could apply to anyone, such as “I love coding” or “I want to work for a big company”. Don’t focus too much on extrinsic factors, such as money, prestige, or perks, as they might imply that you’re not interested in the work itself. Don’t exaggerate or lie about your motivation, as it might backfire if the interviewer probes further or checks your references. And don’t be negative or complain about your past or present situations, as it might show a lack of professionalism and gratitude.

4 Tailor your answer

Finally, remember that your answer should be tailored to the specific job and company you’re applying for. Do your research and find out what they’re looking for in a software engineer, what their culture and values are, and what their goals and challenges are. Then, align your motivation with their needs and expectations, and show how you can contribute to their success. You can also ask questions that show your interest and curiosity about the role and the company.

Answering the motivation question can be daunting, but it can also be a great opportunity to showcase your personality, passion, and potential. By following these tips, you can craft a convincing and memorable answer that sets you apart from other candidates and impresses the interviewer.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?