Job Interview Question & Answer: What is Your Most Satisfying Experience in a Job?
Why Employers Ask This Question
For many workers, job satisfaction plays the biggest role in deciding whether to stay in a particular role or pursue new opportunities. Therefore, employers often want to know what motivates workers to perform their best. Asking questions like, “What is the most satisfying part of a job?” gives managers an idea of what kind of worker you are and what aspects of the workplace you prefer.
How to Answer
Interview questions that ask you to recount previous work experiences require you to prepare ahead of time. Before your interview, reflect on what you enjoyed the most in previous roles. When explaining to a hiring manager what makes you happiest in the workplace, be as specific as possible. Talk about how much you appreciated an aspect of the job and use specific examples.
What You Shouldn’t Say
Don’t be too vague or give the interviewer a general response that sounds rehearsed. You should also avoid overstating or gushing about a previous workplace since it could take up too much time or make the interviewer wonder why you left. The benefits of a previous job are also off-limits as this can make you seem more interested in job perks than the work itself.
Tips for Answering “When Were You Most Satisfied in a Job?”
Many people find the most satisfying part of their job comes from their personal and professional strengths. Make a list of your own strengths and consider how these play into your previous experiences. Here are a few examples to help you develop your answer:
- Think about challenges you had to overcome.
- Show how you were able to benefit your employer or make a direct impact on the company.
- Consider relationships with your coworkers and how they helped you grow as a person and as a professional.
- Reflect on what made you feel passionate about your work.
Sample Responses to “What is the Most Satisfying Experience in a Job?”
Reading example responses about job satisfaction can help you prepare your answer for this common interview question. Here are a few samples:
Sample Answer 1 – Customer service representative at a department store
“The most satisfying part about a job is helping people. In my previous position as a cashier, I checked out people’s groceries, talked about their days, and helped them find products. I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out what they needed and providing the best service possible. The opportunity to interact with customers on an even deeper level is part of what drew me to this job.”
Sample Answer 2 – Cook at a restaurant
“I enjoy a job where I can learn new things and employers who embrace my passion. I love culinary arts and hope to one day own my own restaurant. Before, I worked for a pizza shop. I started out delivering, but once I expressed interest in learning how to make pizza, the owner trained me. He showed me how to make the crust and even let me create my own recipes.”
Tie Your Response Back to The Job
When answering an interview question like, “What was the most rewarding part of your job?” tie your previous work experiences to the reason why you applied to the current position. This keeps the conversation focused and helps the employer recognize you as a motivated individual who wants to improve themselves professionally.
