Practice 42 Mount Sinai interview questions covering clinical excellence, patient care, and hospital values.
Question 10 of 42
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.
Talk to the interviewer about how you have stayed motivated in the past. The interviewer would like to know how they could continue motivating you - even on the most challenging days. The interviewer wants to see if you need to have verbal recognition or if you are inspired solely by your team's success.

Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.
"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."

Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.
"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. And I make work-related goals I can achieve for satisfaction."

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Focus on letting the interviewer know that while you appreciate being recognized for a job well done, you are not the type of person who is only motivated by recognition. You most likely got into the healthcare field to help others, and for most, that is thanks enough.

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Anonymous Answer
I understand healthcare is a thankless job, but I am very self-motivated and recognize the opportunities I have.

Rachelle's Feedback
Try to answer the question more directly. The interviewer would like know what they can do to motivate you. Saying you are self-motivated sounds like you are brushing off the question.
"I agree that working in healthcare can see a bit thankless at times. I am great at motivating myself; however, if an employer wanted to motivate me, words of kindness and affirmations are always appreciated."
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Written by Krista Wenz
42 Questions & Answers • The Mount Sinai Hospital

By Krista

By Krista