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Motives

Every interview asks what motivates someone. And everyone gets the same answer, because candidates know exactly what you want to hear. Challenge, development, a nice team. Motives are the underlying values that steer someone's choices and priorities. They explain why one person feels at home in a role with plenty of autonomy and another in a role with clear boundaries. Not which motive is better, because that question does not exist, but which environment suits which person.
See an example

Time

2 minutes

Type

Motives

Form

Questionnaire

Perfect for:
Any vacancy where motivation and fit matter
Any vacancy where motivation and fit matter
Contact us for a demo of this test
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More than 500 companies worldwide already trust Selection Lab

Welten logo with stylized pink and navy blue slashes followed by the word Welten in navy blue.Quooker logoHeart of Richmond logo with a pink heart shape above the text 'HEART OF RICHMOND' in dark blue.DPD company logo with red cube and grey lowercase letters 'dpd'.Continu Professionals logo with stylized text and abstract star symbol.Talent&Pro logo with slogan 'value in people' featuring a red shield with stylized 'tp' initials.Oxfam Novib logo.HOUTHOFF wordmark in dark blue with a horizontal line underneath.Vector illustration of a blue and green calculator with basic arithmetic buttons and a plus symbol on the display.RGF Staffing company logo with stylized R in blue and gray text.Word unique with stylized lowercase teal u and black abstract icon above it.knab logo text in lowercase with a periodTeleperformance logo with pink and purple stylized TP and the tagline each interaction matters.KPN company logo featuring a green abstract shape with a crown inside and the text kpn.
Welten company logo with stylized pink and navy blue diagonal stripes.Quooker brand logo in red text.Home of HR logo with pink abstract shape above dark blue text.DPD logo with red 3D cube icon and lowercase black letters 'dpd'.Continu Professionals logo featuring blue stylized text and an abstract figure with an extended arm.Talent & pro logo with the tagline 'value in people'.Oxfam Novib logo with a green circle and stylized black figure inside.Graph illustrating the progression from an initial point to an advanced stage with steps labeled as launched and maturing, showing growth in capabilities.
Welten company logo with stylized pink and navy blue diagonal stripes.Quooker brand logo in red text.Home of HR logo with pink abstract shape above dark blue text.DPD logo with red 3D cube icon and lowercase black letters 'dpd'.Continu Professionals logo featuring blue stylized text and an abstract figure with an extended arm.Talent & pro logo with the tagline 'value in people'.Oxfam Novib logo with a green circle and stylized black figure inside.Graph illustrating the progression from an initial point to an advanced stage with steps labeled as launched and maturing, showing growth in capabilities.
Welten company logo with stylized pink and navy blue diagonal stripes.Quooker brand logo in red text.Home of HR logo with pink abstract shape above dark blue text.DPD logo with red 3D cube icon and lowercase black letters 'dpd'.Continu Professionals logo featuring blue stylized text and an abstract figure with an extended arm.Talent & pro logo with the tagline 'value in people'.Oxfam Novib logo with a green circle and stylized black figure inside.Graph illustrating the progression from an initial point to an advanced stage with steps labeled as launched and maturing, showing growth in capabilities.

3 Reasons we love this assessment

01
You see values, not vocabulary
An interview mostly measures how well someone knows the expected answer. A ranking shows which values steer their choices and priorities.
02
You know which team fits before you hire
You see which role and which environment suit someone before you make an offer. That saves first-year turnover.
03
Done in two minutes
No open questions, no self-analysis. The candidate ranks a list of motives from most to least important and is done.

Information

Two minutes of ranking

A list of motives, from most to least important. Faster than filling in an application form.

Choosing instead of ticking

In an interview everything can be important. In a ranking it cannot. That ranking is exactly what makes motives measurable.

No right or wrong outcome

There is no better motive. It is about which environment suits which person, and that works both ways.

Compare candidates side by side

Everyone ranks the same ten motives, so you can put candidates next to each other. With open answers in an interview you cannot.

Measurement
Objectives

The Big Five Personality Model assesses key personality traits that influence behavior and performance:

Green key icon symbolizing security or access.

Self-direction

Deciding for yourself what you do and how, with room for your own ideas.

Orange planet with irregular surface markings resembling craters or patches.

Stimulation and enjoyment

Variety, challenge and new experiences, and work that gives energy.

Orange icon of a plus sign inside a dotted square.

Achievement

The drive to excel and to show what you are capable of.

Green thumbs-up icon symbolizing approval or like.

Influence

A say over people and resources, and room to set the direction.

Blue icon with four squares arranged to form an L shape in a modern style.

Security

A preference for certainty, calm and stability at work.

Orange checkbox marked with a white checkmark inside.

Obedience and tradition

Sticking to agreements and norms, and valuing customs that are already there.

Four blue sparkling star shapes of varying sizes on a white background.

Goodness and helpfulness

Care for the wellbeing of others, from immediate colleagues to the wider world.

Want to add this assessment to your selection flow?

Give us a call and we can talk you through how it works and find what assessments will find you the best candidates.

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Pairs brilliantly with

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