What motivates you to succeed?
A great employer will always want to know how they can keep you motivated and engaged on the job and to do so, they need to understand what motivates you. When the interviewer asks this question, they are trying to understand what drives you and inspires you to achieve your goals. They want to know if you are a self-motivated individual who takes the initiative or needs external motivation to get things done. They also want to see if your values and goals align with those of the university and if you have a clear understanding of what success means to you. It's essential to answer this question honestly and thoughtfully and to give specific examples of what motivates you to succeed. This will help the interviewer better understand who you are as a person and whether you are a good fit for the position and the company culture.
"What motivates me to succeed is seeing success in others. I am a natural leader and mentor, so when I see a student excelling in an area where they may have struggled before my help, I feel a true sense of pride and accomplishment. As an academic dean, my motivation comes from my passion for education and desire to positively impact students' lives. I am driven by the belief that education is the key to unlocking potential and creating opportunities for individuals to achieve their goals. As such, I am committed to providing students with the best possible learning environment, fostering a culture of academic excellence, and empowering faculty members to excel in their teaching and research endeavors. Ultimately, my goal as an academic dean is to help students realize their full potential and prepare them for success in their chosen careers."
"I have an internal drive that is second to none. My daily motivation comes from the promise I have made to my school and the student body to always give them the education and guidance they deserve and need. As an academic dean, my main motivation for success is ensuring all students receive the best education possible. It is fulfilling to see students thrive and achieve their goals, and it is my responsibility to create an environment that fosters growth and development. Additionally, I strive to constantly improve and innovate our academic programs to stay current with industry standards and provide our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers. My passion for education and dedication to student success drives me to strive for excellence as an academic dean."
"A supportive post-secondary environment will set the stage for a successful career for any diligent student. I am motivated by this fact. I need to ensure that the school I work for is delivering this level of support. My motivation comes from seeing my students succeed."
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
I am motivated by my desire to succeed.
Rachelle's Feedback
Internal drive is always the most reliable and consistent. Good!
Anonymous Answer
I am motivated by seeing my faculty, staff, and students succeed. When they accomplish success and overcome challenges, I, as a leader, feel successful.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your motivators are driven by the success of others, which any interviewer will love to hear. Very nice answer - well said!
Anonymous Answer
Fundamentally, it's the students, their experience, and their success (in whatever way THEY view success). I have seen students go through our support programs and receive passing grades and that is amazing. I've seen students accepted into the most prestigious graduate programs and that's amazing; I've seen shy students start to say what they think in class and that's amazing.
Cindy's Feedback
Good use of example, and very persuasive.
Anonymous Answer
A supportive post-secondary institution of higher learning sets the stage for any diligent student to achieve their goals. Working in such an environment motivates me to assist our students, staff, and faculty in their achievements, which in turn strengthens the institutional footprint in today's global and highly competitive educational platform. Seeing this success is what motivates me.
Stephanie's Feedback
Great; it's clear that working with a supportive higher education setting is greatly motivating to you.
Anonymous Answer
1) I like and enjoy what I have been doing
2) my passion motivation and dedication
3)my open attitude for collaborations
Chad's Feedback
Excellent! You are clear on the factors that keep you motivated and engaged at work. To improve your response, I suggest writing your answer out using full sentences. This will not only provide the interview with a complete understanding of your thoughts but also ensure your verbal delivery is more natural in an interview setting.
I have a passion and drive that is second to none. My motivation comes from the fact that I like what I do, and I enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with my staff and faculty.
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