How to Answer “What Inspires You?” (With Examples)

When an interviewer asks you, “What inspires you?” It doesn’t mean you have to talk about your dog, your family, or anything overly personal.

You might feel like it’s a bit of a trick question, but it’s actually a great opportunity to showcase your values and what motivates you.

We created this guide for anyone looking to navigate this question confidently.

It may not be a make-or-break question, but it’s a great opportunity to stand out. 

We’ll examine why employers ask this question, how to craft your perfect answer, and provide real-world examples that have impressed hiring managers.

Why Employers Ask “What Inspires You?” in Interviews

When an interviewer asks what inspires you, they’re not just making conversation.

This question serves multiple purposes in the hiring process.

First, it reveals your values and motivations.

A candidate inspired by solving complex problems showcases different strengths than someone driven by mentoring others.

Neither is wrong, but they indicate different workplace priorities.

Second, it helps employers gauge your cultural fit. 

A company that values innovation wants to hear inspiration tied to creativity and forward-thinking.

A nonprofit might prefer candidates inspired by social impact and community service.

Third, your answer shows how self-aware you are.

Do you understand what drives you? Can you articulate it clearly?

This self-knowledge indicates emotional intelligence and personal development.

Finally, this question tests your preparation.

Generic answers suggest you haven’t thought deeply about your career motivations, while specific, thoughtful responses show you’ve reflected on your professional journey.

Remember, the ‘what inspires you’ question is a window into a candidate’s sustainability.

Interviewees aren’t just hiring for skills—they’re hiring for someone who will remain engaged and motivated long-term.

How to Answer “What Inspires You?” in a Job Interview

A compelling answer strikes a balance between authenticity and alignment with the role. 

This is different from answering the ’Why did you leave your job?’ question, which focuses on framing past decisions professionally.

Staying motivated is about continuously aligning your career path with what excites and drives you.

Here’s how to approach this question effectively:

1. Research the company values before your interview. Review their mission statement, recent projects, and company culture pages. Your inspiration doesn’t need to perfectly match their values, but understanding their priorities helps frame your answer.
2. Reflect on your genuine sources of motivation. Think about times when you felt energized at work or in your studies. What common elements were present? Was it solving problems, helping others, or creating something new?
3. Connect your inspiration to professional outcomes. Show how what inspires you translates into tangible results. For example, if you’re inspired by efficiency, mention how this has helped you streamline processes or reduce costs.
4. Prepare a specific example that illustrates your inspiration in action. A concrete story is more memorable than an abstract statement.
5. Keep it concise. Aim for a 60-90-second response that clearly conveys your inspiration without rambling.

Fine-tuning your response can make all the difference.

Try out different phrasings and think about how they might come across. 

Undetectable AI’s AI Chat can help by analyzing your response, suggesting improvements, and ensuring your wording is clear, engaging, and aligned with professional expectations.

Practicing with AI feedback allows you to fine-tune your delivery, helping you present an answer that feels both authentic and well-prepared.

What Interviewers Want to Hear (And What to Avoid)

Interviewers listen for specific elements in your answer that signal you’ll be a motivated, engaged employee.

Here’s what they’re hoping to hear:

What impresses interviewers:

• Genuine enthusiasm when discussing your inspiration
• A clear connection between your inspiration and the role you’re applying for
• Examples of how your inspiration has driven positive results
• Values that align with the company culture
• A forward-thinking mindset that suggests growth potential

What raises red flags:

• Money as your primary inspiration (even if it matters, frame it differently)
• Vague, generic answers that could apply to anyone
• Inspirations that contradict the company’s values
• Negative framing (e.g., being inspired by proving critics wrong)
• Overly personal answers that don’t connect to workplace performance

The best answers blend personal truth with professional relevance, and show off your leadership skills.

There are candidates who lose opportunities by giving answers that are either too rehearsed or too disconnected from the workplace.

Explore our AI Detector and Humanizer using the widget below!

Structuring Your Answer Using the STAR Method

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) provides an excellent framework for answering behavioral questions, including “What inspires you?”

Here’s how to apply it:

• Situation: Briefly describe a context where you encountered your source of inspiration. “During my senior year project at university…”
• Task: Explain what you needed to accomplish. “I needed to design a solution for a local business struggling with customer engagement…”
• Action: Detail how your inspiration influenced your approach. “Inspired by design thinking principles I’d been studying, I created a user journey map and…”
• Result: Share the positive outcome. “The business implemented our solution and saw a 32% increase in customer retention.”

This structure keeps your answer focused and results-oriented while still conveying your authentic inspiration.

How to Keep Your Answer Authentic and Professional

The best responses strike a balance between personal truth and professional relevance. Here’s how to achieve that balance:

1. Speak from experience, not theory. Rather than saying, “I’m inspired by innovation,” describe a specific innovation that moved you and why.
2. Use natural language that feels comfortable. Forced corporate speak undermines authenticity. Your own words, even if imperfect, convey sincerity.
3. Practice without memorizing. Rehearse the key points of your answer, but allow room for natural delivery in the moment.
4. Consider the intersection of personal and professional. Where do your personal interests and professional goals overlap? This intersection often contains your most authentic inspirations.
5. Listen to yourself. If your answer doesn’t feel true when you practice it, reconsider your approach. Interviewers can often sense insincerity.

Interviewers would rather hear a somewhat messy but authentic answer than a perfectly polished response that feels manufactured.

If you’re applying for a white-collar job, authenticity matters even more, as employers often prioritize cultural fit and critical thinking over rehearsed answers. 

The former tells them who you really are, while the latter just tells them you’re good at interviews.

Best Answers to “What Inspires You?” (With Examples)

Different inspirations resonate with different roles and companies.

Here are varied examples to help you craft your own response:

1. Inspired by Helping Others

Example Answer: 

“What truly inspires me is seeing the direct impact of my work on other people’s lives. In my previous role as a customer success manager at SaaSCo, I worked with a small business owner who was struggling to use our platform effectively. Their frustration was palpable during our first call. 

Over six weeks, I created custom training sessions and simplified their workflow. 

By the end, they were not only comfortable with the system but using advanced features to grow their business. They later told me our work together helped them increase revenue by 20%. 

Those moments—when I can directly connect my efforts to someone else’s success—are what get me out of bed in the morning. That’s why I’m particularly excited about this customer experience role at your company.”

Why it works: This answer demonstrates empathy, problem-solving skills, and result orientation. It uses a specific example and connects to the prospective role.

2. Inspired by Overcoming Challenges

Example Answer:

“I’m most inspired when tackling complex problems that initially seem unsolvable. During my time at TechStart, we faced a major database migration issue that threatened to delay our product launch. The conventional approaches weren’t working within our timeframe. What inspired me was the opportunity to think differently.

I organized a cross-functional workshop where we mapped the entire system and identified an alternative migration path no one had considered. We completed the migration three days ahead of schedule. These moments—finding solutions where none seem to exist—drive me to continuously expand my technical knowledge.

 I noticed your job description emphasizes troubleshooting complex infrastructure issues, which aligns perfectly with what motivates me.”

Why it works: This response demonstrates resilience, creativity, and technical problem-solving. It also directly addresses the position’s requirements.

3. Inspired by Innovation and Learning

Example Answer: 

“I draw inspiration from the constant evolution of technology and its potential to transform industries. Last year, I attended a workshop on emerging AI applications in healthcare. 

Learning how predictive algorithms could identify at-risk patients earlier than traditional methods fascinated me. This inspired me to lead a small pilot project at my hospital, implementing a similar approach for our diabetes patients. The project improved early intervention rates by 17%. 

I’m inspired by these moments where new knowledge translates into measurable improvements. I see from your company’s recent work in healthcare AI that you share this value of innovation with practical applications, which is why I’m excited about contributing to your team.”

Why it works: This answer shows intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a focus on practical applications of new technology.

It also demonstrates you’ve done your research on the company.

4. Inspired by Personal Growth and Ambition

Example Answer: 

“What inspires me is the process of continuous improvement—both in myself and in the systems I work with. Early in my marketing career, I recognized a significant gap in my data analysis skills. Rather than avoiding this weakness, I challenged myself to master it. 

I enrolled in evening analytics courses and sought projects that would strengthen these skills. Within eight months, I was leading our department’s reporting strategy and had improved our campaign targeting efficiency by 23%. 

This pattern of identifying growth opportunities and deliberately developing new capabilities has defined my career. I’m drawn to your company because your commitment to employee development suggests you value this same growth mindset.”

Why it works: This response shows self-awareness, proactive learning, and measurable self-improvement. It connects personal ambition to organizational success.

5. Inspired by a Mentor or Role Model

Example Answer: 

“My first director at FinanceCorp, Elaine Rodriguez, fundamentally shaped what inspires me professionally. She combined exceptional technical expertise with genuine leadership. During a particularly challenging quarter, I observed how she maintained transparency with our team while implementing difficult changes. She knew everyone’s strengths and assigned responsibilities accordingly. 

This approach not only turned around our department’s performance but strengthened team cohesion. Witnessing the impact of her leadership style inspired me to develop similar skills. 

I’ve since completed leadership training and mentored four junior team members, all of whom have been promoted. This inspiration to combine technical excellence with people-focused leadership aligns perfectly with your company’s reputation for strong team culture.”

Why it works: This answer shows the candidate values leadership, has taken concrete steps toward developing leadership skills, and understands the human element of business success.

6. Inspired by Teamwork and Collaboration

Example Answer: 

“I find my greatest inspiration in collaborative environments where diverse perspectives come together to create something better than any individual could achieve alone. While working on the rebranding project at MediaCo, our team included people from design, marketing, sales, and customer service. Initially, these different viewpoints created tension. 

By establishing a structured brainstorming process where every idea received consideration, we transformed those differences into creative fuel. The resulting campaign exceeded engagement targets by 45%. That experience solidified my belief in the power of true collaboration. 

I’ve researched your company’s cross-functional approach to product development, and it’s exactly the kind of environment where I find my inspiration and do my best work.”

Why it works: This response demonstrates teamwork, conflict resolution, and appreciation for diversity of thought. It also demonstrates research into the company’s operational approach.

Final Tips for Finding and Expressing Your Inspiration

Beyond interview preparation, developing a clear understanding of your inspiration will benefit your long-term career.

How to Stay Inspired Even in Challenging Work Environments

Every job has challenging moments. Staying inspired during these times requires intentional effort:

1. Connect with your “why” regularly. Keep physical or digital reminders of what originally inspired your career choice.
2. Build a personal inspiration library. Collect articles, videos, or quotes that reignite your motivation when it wanes.
3. Find micro-inspirations in daily work. Even in challenging environments, identify small elements that align with your values.
4. Create inspiration rituals. Whether it’s a morning reflection or weekly career journal, regular practice keeps inspiration accessible.
5. Surround yourself with inspired colleagues. Their energy and perspective can help maintain your own motivation during difficult times.

Turning Inspiration Into Actionable Career Growth

Inspiration should drive tangible progress in your career:

1. Set inspiration-aligned goals. Create objectives that directly connect to what motivates you.
2. Seek projects that tap into your sources of inspiration. Volunteer for responsibilities that energize rather than drain you.
3. Build skills that amplify your ability to act on your inspirations. If helping others inspires you, develop stronger teaching or coaching abilities.
4. Track inspiration moments. Note when you feel most engaged at work and look for patterns to guide future decisions.
5. Talk about what inspires you with managers during performance reviews. This helps them assign work that will keep you fully engaged.

Your inspiration should guide your career path.

When candidates connect their motivation to their career choices, it shows a strategic approach to professional development.

How to Keep Your Motivation Alive Over Time

What inspires you may evolve throughout your career.

Maintaining authentic motivation requires periodic reassessment:

1. Schedule quarterly reflection on what currently inspires you. Notice shifts in your sources of motivation.
2. Experiment with new domains that might spark fresh inspiration. Take courses, attend talks, or join professional groups outside your immediate specialty.
3. Mentor others to rediscover your foundational inspirations. Teaching often reconnects us with our core motivations.
4. Create inspiration benchmarks. Periodically rate your current role on how well it aligns with your inspirations.
5. Consider inspiration when evaluating new opportunities. A higher salary with lower inspiration alignment often leads to dissatisfaction.

Understanding how your motivations shift over time can help refine your career trajectory.

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That ensures your next opportunity fuels both professional growth and personal fulfillment.

What Keeps You Going?

Answering “What inspires you?” effectively requires self-knowledge, preparation, and strategic thinking.

The best responses authentically reflect your true motivations while demonstrating relevance to the role and company.

By understanding why employers ask this question, preparing thoughtful answers with specific examples, and continuously refining your understanding of your own inspirations, you transform a potentially challenging interview question into an opportunity to stand out.

Remember that your answer isn’t just about getting the job—it’s about finding the right fit where your natural inspirations align with daily work.

This alignment leads to greater job satisfaction, performance, and career longevity.

So, what inspires you professionally?

Take time to reflect on this question beyond interview preparation. Your answer may be the compass that guides your most fulfilling career decisions.

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