Our interview question of the week is: what motivates you to be successful?
What to listen for:
People typically answer this with emphasis on some variation of one of the following:
· The people they work with
· Passion for what the company is doing
· The impact they personally make
Watch for what comes to their minds first and how broadly they answer. Do they have a very clear and emphatic answer or does it take some time for them to think about it? Take note of whether their motivators are aligned with the position they will serve in. Will the role provide the motivators that are most meaningful?
Additionally, consider the clarity they possess about what motivates them. They may need some support from a mentor to help them get clear about it. This is something you want to be prepared to help them with if you choose to hire them.
Lastly, if there is strong enough alignment to support a hiring decision, don’t let the focus on their motivators end in the interview process. We recommend weekly check-ins with your employee that include reviewing wins, challenges and goals. Motivation is central to this conversation. You will both be most successful if you keep what you learned in your employee’s interview at the forefront of how you coach to their motivators.
