How do you stay motivated at work?
"I think in order to stay motivated at work, you have to be motivated by the work. There were a lot of soldiers that ended up being institutionalized in military life. When they ended up back in the civilian sector, many had trouble reintegrating and fell into depression, or into drugs, or other critical situations. Some end up in prison. When I was volunteering to help my fellow soldiers get back on their feet, I became invested in their rehabilitation. The same goes for here. The work is tough, and not everyone is looking to better their situation. A good many of them are just biding their time, or have an angle on how they get the upper hand on the inside. But for those who are trying to better themselves, are looking to get early parole, and are making efforts for good behavior and to turn a new leaf, they're looking for help. So I'd stay motivated for them. Everyone deserves a second chance. That's what the work is all about."
This direct behavioral question is self-evident in what they're looking to learn. It will clue them in to what your partnership with them would look like, as well as what might motivate you in this environment.
Give them insights as to what motivates and inspires you on a personal level, as well as how you stay motivated throughout your workday. Detail how you approach your work, regardless of whether the task is high-pressure or monotonous. Detail how you stay motivated and productive throughout your day.
The trick here is to convey that you won't burn out easily in this position. They are often looking for those who are motivated by the health and rehabilitation of the incarcerated, and the safety of those on your team.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
What motivates me is going home and being able to say I gave it my all. I feel disappointed when I didn't do my best at something. So going to work and helping as much as I can is how I stay motivated.
Marcie's Feedback
It's great that you are internally motivated, but are you motivated in other ways as well? Do you enjoy being rewarded with perks like extra time off? Do you like to be verbally or socially recognized? Are you motivated by financial bonuses? Discuss some of the other ways you stay motivated at work. Nice job!
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