Summer’s here! And while this time of year’s associated with sunshine and time out of the office, smart employers are hiring, and job seekers looking to get ahead during the typically quieter holiday period are interviewing with them.

Whether you’re getting ready for a career change or are diving into the job market for the very first time, there’s one thing we can all agree on: interviews can be nerve-wracking. Even more so when it comes to questions around money and motivation.

The two questions most likely to make even the most seasoned of professionals stumble, are:

  1. “What are your salary expectations?”
  2. “Why do you want to work for us?”

But did you know that when you’re asked these kinds of questions, this isn’t just the interviewer enquiring? It’s a test of your confidence too. They’re wondering about your self-awareness, and your alignment with the company’s goals. 

That’s why it’s important to nail your answers. In this blog, we’ll break down why these questions matter, how to prepare your responses, and how to avoid some of the most common interview mistakes. By the end, we’re sure you’ll feel ready to tackle these traditionally tricky questions with much more clarity and confidence.

The Two Trickiest Interview Questions & Answers

Firstly, let’s address the fact that if questions around the topic of money and motivation make you sweat, you’re not alone. It’s very normal to feel nervous when answering them: these questions are designed to be tough and can really put you on the spot. But it’s important to remember that when an interviewer asks them, they aren’t asking about numbers or the kinds of things you enjoy. Instead, they’re asking so that they can specifically dig deeper and assess:

  • Your levels of confidence and self-awareness: Can you articulate your value without hesitating?
  • Your understanding of the market and the role you’re applying for: Do you know what you’re worth and how you fit into the bigger picture?
  • Your alignment with their mission: Are you genuinely interested in the company and progressing your career there, or are you just looking for a paycheque?

The secret to success? It’s preparation. And with a little forethought and practise you’ll be able to answer money and motivation questions authentically and professionally – without sounding robotic or overly apologetic. The advice we’ve included in this article has been pulled together by our own team of experienced recruitment specialists at Connexus Recruit, plus we’ve included insights from some of the best-known industry experts.

How to Answer: “What Are Your Salary Expectations?”

Let’s start by looking at why employers ask this question and what they expect to hear in response. Well, when hiring managers ask about salary expectations, they’re not just asking you to provide a number. They’re trying to:

  • See whether your expectations are doable and are in line with their budget.
  • Assess how much you understand about the current market and your value.
  • Find out how you handle potentially uncomfortable conversations.

Transparency is key here. But it’s worth remembering it’s a bit of a balancing act. It’s crucial not to undersell yourself, but at the same time you don’t want to price yourself out of the role either. According to the Harvard Business Review, being upfront about your salary expectations from the start is essential for building trust and setting the tone for a longer lasting collaborative relationship.

How to Prepare Your ‘Salary Expectations’ Answer (Without Underselling Yourself)

Here’s our advice for putting together a confident, well-informed response:

  1. Do your research: Use sector salary guides (like Connexus’ Digital Salary Guide) so that you can demonstrate you understand the market rate for your role and level of experience.
  2. Know your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves: Before you attend an interview make sure you know what your baseline salary requirement is. What’s the very lowest wage you’d accept? And what benefits or perks could make up for a slightly lower number?
  3. Offer a range, not a fixed number: When you take this approach you show flexibility and give a little wiggle room while still being concise and setting clear expectations.
  4. Practise your wording: Confidence is key. Avoid phrases like “I’m not sure” or “Whatever you think is fair.” You want to take control and use this opportunity to really prove your worth.

A great example answer to this interview question might be:
“Based on my research and experience, I’d expect something in the range of €60,000 to €70,000, depending on the overall package and scope of the role.”

How to Answer: “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”  

Your motivation matters more than you might think. Your response will provide an interviewer with key insight into how well you’ll fit into their organisation and culture. 

Hiring managers want to know:

  • Have you done your homework on the company? What do you know about them and their culture?
  • Do you care about more than just the salary or job title?
  • Do your personal values align with their values, culture, and mission?

As McKinsey points out, employer branding is a two-way street. While companies want to attract top talent, they also want to ensure that their new hires will thrive in their environment. And that’s why your answer needs to demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested in the company, plan to stay for the long term, and that you are a great fit. 

How to Build a Great Motivation Interview Question Response

A great way to look at answering this question is to divide it into three parts: 

  1. Company connection: This is about showing that you’ve done your research. For example, tell them “I’ve followed your work in…”
  2. Role relevance: Highlight how your skills and experience align with the role. For example, “This role aligns perfectly with my background in…”
  3. Future focus: Express excitement about the company’s direction. Research their plans before attending your interview and be prepared to explain something like: “I’m particularly excited about [specific project or goal] and how I can contribute to it.”

A great example interview question answer for a marketing role could look like this:
“I’ve been following your campaigns for many years now and admire how you blend creativity with data-driven strategies. This role aligns perfectly with my experience in digital marketing, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to contribute to your upcoming product launch.”

Leadership expert, Simon Sinek, is famous for having said:
“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” …And it’s the same with hiring.

Interview Preparation Tips: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s be honest, even the best-prepared candidates can make mistakes during interviews – after all, they’re designed to put us under a little pressure. But remember, a lot of common mishaps are avoidable when you put time and effort into preparing. Next, we’ll look at some of the most common interview mistakes and how to steer clear of them:

  • Dodging the salary question: Never, ever, ever avoid this question. Doing so will scream a lack of confidence or may look like you haven’t prepared. Instead, approach it as the perfect opportunity to showcase your self-awareness and your research of the market, your role, and the company. Remember, this question’s never just about the figure – it’s about demonstrating your understanding of your value in the market.
  • Reciting the company’s website: While it’s great to show you’ve done your homework, simply regurgitating info from a company’s website will never come across well. You’ll seem insincere or just plain lazy. Instead, it’s important to add your own insights, opinions, thoughts, or examples. By doing so you’ll show that you have a genuine interested and demonstrate key skills that employers look for, such as critical thinking. 
  • Undervaluing yourself: Not showing your worth is especially common when people are changing careers or re-entering the workforce after a break. But underselling your skills or experience not only impacts the amount you can earn/the salary you’re offered but can also give the impression that you lack confidence in your own abilities. That’s why it’s crucial to be honest about your value, what you’ve achieved for yourself and other companies you’ve worked for. To add extra impact be sure to back up what you say with examples, facts, and figures. E.g., “One of my best skills is creating eye-catching campaigns that really talk to the target audience. In my last role, I was able to increase our social media engagement by 44% in three months.”
  • Overstretching: Yes, ambition is admirable. But it’s important to find a balance between undervaluing and overreaching. If you set expectations that don’t align with your experience level, you can raise red flags. Red flags at the interview stage are never good, but getting the role then being unable to deliver is even worse! For this reason, it’s best realistic from the outset about what you can bring to the table and how it matches the role’s requirements.
  • Overloading your answers: Sometimes, candidates feel the need to over-explain or provide too much detail. But this can often dilute your message and make it harder for the interviewer to focus on your key points. Instead, aim to keep your answers concise and impactful.
  • Failing to prepare follow-up questions: Interviewers will often dig deeper into your responses to assess your thought process. And one way they may do that is by asking ‘Do you have any questions for us?’. So, when the time comes for them to ask this question, never respond with a ‘no.’ Instead, practise some common follow-up questions to remain confident throughout. Examples include:

    o How can I succeed in this role?
    o What are the most important skills for this job?
    o Do you expect this role to evolve in the future?

Keith McLoughlin, Director at Connexus shares:

“It’s not about having a ‘perfect’ answer – it’s about showing you’ve thought it through. Mistakes happen, but preparation, honesty and authenticity go a long way in making a positive impression”

Mastering Interview Questions With Confidence

It’s important to remember, interview questions aren’t a trap, designed to trip you up. Instead, think of every single one as a separate opportunity to highlight your unique value and strengths, and to demonstrate what you can offer to a prospective employer.

The key is thorough research and preparation in advance of an interview. And by focussing on notoriously tricky questions surrounding money and motivation, you’ll be well prepped to respond with confidence and clarity. Remember, confidence isn’t about having all the answers – it’s simply about showing that you’re adaptable, committed, and eager to learn.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed when it comes to prepping for an interview, remember you don’t have to do it alone. At Connexus Recruit, we’re helping top IT, creative, marketing and digital professionals to find their dream roles. And that includes helping with interview preparation and technique.

Whether you’re seeking up-to-date salary insights, expert career advice, or tools to help you navigate your next big opportunity, we’ve got the resources to help you succeed. Check out:

Alternatively, contact us to speak to one of our expert consultants about your career goals and aspirations.