On UBS's recruitment readiness worksheet, they offer an exercise called "What Motivates You," designed to help you prepare for this question. They offer several statements which they suggest you rank in the order of your personal preferences. Keep in mind, these are statements they have formulated that are in line with their culture, and which they likely value in their employees. "Listening and finding solutions to every problem you encounter. Thinking outside the box, challenging the status quo, redefining the art of the possible. Researching and developing strong subject matter expertise, being renowned as the expert. You get a real buzz from seeing how minor tweaks can drive impactful change. Working for our clients to deliver best-in-class products and services. Interested to see and understand how major world events impact the global stock market. You are fascinated by how technology can revolutionize banking as we know it today. Building extensive and complex financial knowledge. Defining efficient processes, that will drive a best-in-class client and customer experiences. Keeping up with the new regulatory environment and advising on the overall impact. Becoming a trusted advisor to clients. You're keen to explore how organizations can drive employee wellbeing and high performance."

Go in with a thorough understanding of the job you are applying for. List the type of tasks and projects you look forward to the most. Consider what you hope to learn, and how their career development programs would keep you looking forward to building a future with them. Then meditate on how you would structure your response.

"One of the things that really motivates me at work is motivating others. I have a very positive can-do attitude that I've been told is very contagious in the best way. I love it when others come to me for insights, advice, or for more information on something they heard about in the news of our industry. I also believe that simpler is better, and am always puzzling and thinking about how to make things run smoother through greater efficiency. I am very solutions-focused and have been told I have a very outside-of-the-box way of looking at things. When I am valued for these things, and anything else I have to offer, I find that very motivating. Whatever I can do to help out the team."