Last Updated on September 20, 2024
What Are You The Most Excited About At Work? [Interview Question]
Your answer to this question may vary depending on the scenario. But if you are at a job interview and the hiring manager or the interviewer asks you this question, there are a few things you need to consider before you give your answer:
- The type of job
- The employer’s expectation
- The passion you have for the job
1. The Type Of Job
Describe the job to yourself. What are the different responsibilities of those who work in the position you are being interviewed for? Is it to drive a truck or to take care of patients?
It is vital to understand what the job is about even before you apply. For, you should never (hopefully, you would not) apply for a job and then try to find out what your responsibilities are going to be after the recruiter’s hiring decision. But what you should do is make sure you understand the job description and/or the requirements, evaluate yourself to see if you are physically prepared or mentally healthy enough to do the job and then apply for the job.
Moreover, you want to know whether or not this job can help you meet your needs or reach your goals, and more importantly, you should know if this job can make you happy by choosing to do it. Having a clear understanding of what is expected of an employee who is doing the job you are applying for can help you find the right words to answer the ultimate question, “What are you the most excited about at work?”
Would your answers be the same if you applied for a position at NASA than if you applied for a job at a Marketing agency? Probably not. So, you have to understand the job first if you want to give a good answer to the hiring manager.
2. What Are The Employer’s Expectations For The Position?
Knowing what your job is going to be is not enough; you should understand why the hiring manager has created the job position: what they are looking for in the “ideal” candidate and how is that going to contribute to the growth of the company.
Once you understand these things, you will have a better idea of what to underline or to focus on when answering the question about what you are the most excited about at work.
3. How Passionate Are You About The Job?
Your connection with a specific aspect of the job or your emotional connection with the job is the most important thing you need to send a sincere message to the hiring manager as you answer the question of the day, “What are you the most excited about at work?” But if you don’t like the job, and you are just after the money, you may not be able to share positive energy with the recruiter. And you don’t want that to happen.
The use of your emotional connection is extremely important when it comes to expressing your excitement about going to work or what motivates you to go to work every day. One thing is clear, there is always a reason. No matter what the reason is, make good use of the three things numbered above to give the best possible answer to the question of “What are you the most excited about at work?” [as an interview question].
How To Answer The Interview Question “What Are You The Most Excited About At Work?”
When a hiring manager asks you the above interview question, they are assessing your level of motivation, and they want to know if you are going to stay long or abandon a few weeks later. A hiring manager who wants to know how committed you are will ask you, “What are you the most excited about at work?”
6 Sample Answers To The Question “What Are You The Most Excited About At Work?”
Here are a few examples of good ways to answer this question:
- “I am most excited about collaborating and working towards something big— a common goal. Every day at work is an opportunity I have to contribute to the growth of the company. And this is what makes my day. It brings satisfaction and inner tranquility knowing that I have done my best to improve something or create something great.”
- “The most exciting thing to me about this job is that it can keep me busy. I love being busy, especially when I am doing something I like to do.”
- “I only know what is expected of me and what I would like to be able to do to actively contribute to the company’s growth but I am not sure yet what to expect from my colleagues and the work environment. However, the most important thing is that I am self-motivated. I just want a healthy work environment to work in, and everything else will be great.”
- “This was my first job application because I am only 16 years old. Therefore, I am not sure what would be exciting about the job yet. But I am sure about one thing: I never give up because once I start working on a goal, I always finish it no matter what.”
- “The work experience that I am gaining is what excites me the most at work. In my opinion, every day at work is another chance to shine, another opportunity to build something that will benefit my professional life in the future. That is the reason why I take advantage of every moment I have at work to do my job well and learn something valuable for myself.”
- “I would not use the word “excited” when it comes to working. I would rather say that I am mostly motivated to go to work because I am paid to do my job. For, I value honesty and work ethic more than something that can only last a few minutes or days.”
What Are You The Most Excited About At Work?
In a different scenario like the evaluation of a company, work environment, and culture, the answers will vary from one person to another. When that happens, you should think about the main element or principle that makes the world more meaningful, “We are all different, and we have been taught differently.” You and your friend have different beliefs and understanding of the world. Therefore, you are motivated by different things and you act differently.
The key sentence is each person is unique and because of this uniqueness opposition and diversity were necessary to make the world what it is now. Just like each element in a landscape contributes in a unique way to the beauty of nature, your professional goals and ambitions are unique pieces taken from the big puzzle.
So, pay close attention to the following things that motivate people to go to work every day so that you better understand the principle recently mentioned.
6 Things That Motivate People To Go To Work Every Day
The following responses are from actual professionals. Their answers reflect their goals, as well as their interests. Also, some of these answers give you an idea about the role and importance of company culture.
- “My entire career has always been inspired by the motto, “Give it everything I’ve got and if it’s not enough, at least I can’t say I didn’t try.” With this perspective, I have the attitude to work hard, bring myself to work, and let the chips fall where they may.” (CEO)
- “When I am at work, I know that I can make someone’s day easier by doing my job. I can create something that people enjoy and that will help the company connect with its clients.” (Marketing Specialist & Web Developer)
- “The paycheck is what motivates me the most to go to work every day because I need the money. The job is fun, but I am more excited about how much I make per hour.” (Retail Store Associate)
- “My desire to improve my skills that will help me have a great career. It is thinking of the long term that helps me to go to work every day.” (Marketer)
- “Knowing that I am making a difference is what motivates me to go to work every day.” (Marketer & Project Manager)
- “There are at least three things that motivate me the most when it comes to going to work every day. First, knowing that I am contributing to the growth of the company; second, the opportunity to improve my skills, and third, knowing that I will be with people I like to work with and doing what I like to do.” (Marketer & Educator)
What Motivates You The Most To Go To Work Every Day?
Based on the responses you just read in the previous paragraphs, you can break it down as follow:
- Personal satisfaction and personal commitment
- The satisfaction that comes from knowing that you have contributed to something positive
- Self-improvement and better performance
- The paycheck
- The opportunity to make a difference, and
- Social Interactions that help to improve your professional life
To Sum Up
You may have a whole different source of motivation that has nothing to do with work, or you probably want to teach your children the path to success by working hard and with honor, it might be a way to get out of your comfort zone, or it may be a family core value [to give your best to anything you are doing] that motivates you the most at work. Whatever your source of motivation may be, make sure you find joy in what you are doing, and at the same time, make the company a better place and make your position/role a revenue generator. Good luck!
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Emily Rushton, Founder and CEO of Hire Integrated, has over a decade of experience in recruitment, helping companies solve high-volume hiring challenges. Her unique, storytelling approach has made her a trusted leader in the industry, helping both businesses and candidates succeed.
