It is often said that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job.' How can we keep you motivated and engaged, even on the days when you feel your work goes unnoticed?

How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example
Community Answers

The interviewer would like to know how they could continue to motivate you - even on the hardest of days. Do you need to have verbal recognition? Are you motivated solely by the success of your team? Talk to the interviewer about how you have stayed motivated in the past.

"My chosen career was helping people at exactly the point they were least capable of censoring themselves or giving back. So, I stopped needing thanks from my patients. It's not like I don't need positive reinforcement. Everyone does. But I made a point to find it in other places instead of expecting it from my patients. Nowadays, I make an effort to expressly thank the people I work with when they do a good job. I focus on being grateful to be allowed to see private, raw, emotional parts of people's lives."

"I am an easily motivated individual, and it does not take much to keep me engaged. I am fully aware that healthcare-related positions can seem thankless. Honestly, the best thanks that I can get is a pat on the back now and then. The majority of my motivation comes from simply helping people."

Anonymous Answer

"While I understand that healthcare can seem like a thankless job, it's important to remember that we did not go into our line of work for recognition. It feels great to be acknowledged for how well you're doing every once in a while. Still, on a daily basis, I find greater satisfaction and motivation in knowing a patient was happy with her treatment and thankful she had someone who listened to her concerns."

Rachelle's Feedback

It really sounds as though you have the best possible mindset to succeed in your work, even on the most trying days. Well said!

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How to Answer: It is often said that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job.' How can we keep you motivated and engaged, even on the days when you feel your work goes unnoticed?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Geisinger Health Plan job interview.

10. It is often said that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job.' How can we keep you motivated and engaged, even on the days when you feel your work goes unnoticed?

How to Answer

The interviewer would like to know how they could continue to motivate you - even on the hardest of days. Do you need to have verbal recognition? Are you motivated solely by the success of your team? Talk to the interviewer about how you have stayed motivated in the past.

1st Answer Example

"My chosen career was helping people at exactly the point they were least capable of censoring themselves or giving back. So, I stopped needing thanks from my patients. It's not like I don't need positive reinforcement. Everyone does. But I made a point to find it in other places instead of expecting it from my patients. Nowadays, I make an effort to expressly thank the people I work with when they do a good job. I focus on being grateful to be allowed to see private, raw, emotional parts of people's lives."

2nd Answer Example

"I am an easily motivated individual, and it does not take much to keep me engaged. I am fully aware that healthcare-related positions can seem thankless. Honestly, the best thanks that I can get is a pat on the back now and then. The majority of my motivation comes from simply helping people."

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"While I understand that healthcare can seem like a thankless job, it's important to remember that we did not go into our line of work for recognition. It feels great to be acknowledged for how well you're doing every once in a while. Still, on a daily basis, I find greater satisfaction and motivation in knowing a patient was happy with her treatment and thankful she had someone who listened to her concerns."

Rachelle's Feedback

It really sounds as though you have the best possible mindset to succeed in your work, even on the most trying days. Well said!

Next Question