Suggest an editImprove this articleRefine the answer for “What motivates you at work”. Your changes go to moderation before they’re published.Approval requiredContentWhat you’re changing🇺🇸EN🇺🇦UAPreviewTitle (EN)Short answer (EN)**The main thing here is to answer sensibly and without grandstanding.** You can be honest about money, or talk about results and the process, or about a mix. There are only two failure modes: a rehearsed speech about "purpose" you do not believe yourself, and an answer that reveals nothing.Shown above the full answer for quick recall.Answer (EN)Image**The main thing here is to answer sensibly and without grandstanding.** This question is about sincerity more than content. ## Theory ### TL;DR - You can be honest about money, or talk about results, or about both. - A rehearsed speech about "purpose" is audible and works against you. - What sounds best is whatever you actually believe. - One or two concrete examples beat abstractions. - No need for a long philosophy; a few sentences is enough. ### An example of a sensible answer > What motivates me is seeing the result: when the thing I built actually works and people use it. > I will also be honest that fair pay matters to me, and so does the feeling that I am growing rather than standing still. > Process-wise, what I value most is clear priorities and not having to redo last week's work every week. ### Common mistakes - A rehearsed answer about "purpose" that you do not believe yourself. - "Only money motivates me", with no nuance at all. - An overlong philosophical answer to a simple question.For the reviewerNote to the moderator (optional)Visible only to the moderator. Helps review go faster.