Why asking what motivates you to start your day is a smart interview move

Which of the following questions is appropriate to ask during an interview?

• A. What is your favorite color?
• B. What motivates you to start your day?
• C. Are you a leader?
• D. Why should we hire you?

Answer: (B)

The question regarding what motivates a candidate to start their day is particularly relevant in an interview setting as it seeks to uncover the candidate's intrinsic motivations and work ethic. Understanding a person's motivators can provide insight into how they approach their job, what drives their performance, and how well they align with the company's values and culture. This kind of question encourages candidates to share personal insights that can help interviewers evaluate whether they would be a good fit for the role and the team. In contrast, questions like asking about a favorite color or whether someone considers themselves a leader are less effective as they may not provide substantial information related to job performance or the candidate's suitability for the position. Asking why a candidate should be hired can sometimes put them on the defensive rather than encouraging a thoughtful discussion about their qualifications and fit for the role. Overall, focusing on personal motivations can foster a more engaging dialogue and reveal deeper insights into the candidate's personality and work style.

Title: The Question That Reveals Your Rhythm—What Motivates You to Start Your Day?

When you’re stepping into a Jersey Mike’s—rush hour, orders flying, the line snaking out the door—there’s more to a good fit than a clean apron or a friendly smile. The Phase 3 stage of the interview process shifts from “Can you do the job?” to “How do you show up every day?” In that zone, one question stands out: What motivates you to start your day? It’s not flashy, but it’s powerful. Let me explain why this little prompt can unlock real insight about a candidate’s work ethic, consistency, and fit with a fast-paced, customer-centered team.

Why this question matters in a fast-service setting

Imagine two candidates. One talks about the latest gadget they’re learning or a trophy they earned last year. The other describes a morning ritual—an intentional start that sets the tone for the day. The second person tends to bring steadiness to a shop where seconds count, teammates rely on each other, and customers expect quick, friendly service. In the Jersey Mike’s environment, motivation isn’t just about appetite or speed; it’s about daily habits, reliability, and how your energy carries from the opening bell to the last customer served.

Here’s the thing: asking what motivates someone to start their day invites them to share concrete behaviors—what they do, why they do it, and how those choices ripple through their work. It’s less about a momentary attitude and more about a consistent pattern. And that pattern matters when you’re trying to fill roles that depend on teamwork, accuracy, and a customer-first mindset.

What makes this question so revealing (without being pushy)

• It surfaces intrinsic drivers. The best answers point to internal motivations—things like a desire to help people, a commitment to being dependable, or a quest for steady personal growth. Those drivers tend to translate into dependable shifts and a calm presence during busy periods.

• It highlights daily discipline. Interviewers want to know you’ve got a routine that translates into real performance: preparation the night before, a quick mental check-in in the morning, or a plan to handle the rush without dropping the ball.

• It hints at cultural fit. A candidate who speaks about their daily start in terms of teamwork, serve-first attitudes, and consistency likely aligns with a store’s values and vibe.

• It reduces guesswork about work style. You’re not guessing whether they’re a “leader” or “a color preference” person. You’re hearing about how they lead themselves, which often predicts how they’ll lead in a team setting.

What a strong answer looks like

If you want to nail this, focus on specifics, honesty, and a touch of personality. Here are elements that make a candidate’s response shine:

• A clear routine in the morning. Mention something practical, like “I check the day’s tasks, review prep notes, and set a goal for delivering fast, friendly service in every interaction.”

• A link to service quality. Tie the routine to customer impact: “Starting with a moment to plan helps me move quickly without sacrificing accuracy or warmth.”

• Team-oriented tone. Show how your start helps coworkers: “If I’m organized, our team can hit peak moments together because I’m not bottling up tasks.”

• Authentic energy. A little passion goes a long way, but keep it grounded. Say why this matters to you personally, not just as a job requirement: “I enjoy the momentum in a busy shift and the chance to make someone’s day better with a simple, well-timed interaction.”

• Conciseness and credibility. Stick to 60–90 seconds. Speak plainly; avoid grandiose claims that feel like overkill.

Sample responses you can model (and adapt)

Strong example:

“Every morning, I start with a quick two-minute plan. I list the top three things I want to accomplish today and then map out where I’ll be most helpful on the floor. I also check in with the team, see who’s fasting the line or needs an extra hand, and I set a personal goal to greet every customer with a smile and a clear, friendly ask. This cadence keeps me focused during the rush and makes sure I’m contributing to a smooth, fast, and positive experience for guests.”

Readability note: keep it concrete. If you can mention a real habit—like reviewing the day’s specials or checking stock levels—that adds credibility.

Weaker alternatives to avoid (and why)

• “I’m a leader.” Yes, leadership matters, but this question isn’t about titles. It asks for daily behavior. A stronger move is to describe a leadership quality you display in small, concrete ways—like helping teammates stay organized or keeping a calm tone during busy moments.

• “My favorite color.” It reveals almost nothing about job performance or daily habits. It’s nice to know a candidate’s personal style, but it doesn’t illuminate how they handle the workday.

• “Why should we hire you?” That can feel defensive or rehearsed. It shifts the focus away from your daily rhythm and into self-promotion. Better to illustrate how your daily start translates into reliable results and teamwork.

Bringing Jersey Mike’s culture into your answer

In a shop that emphasizes hospitality, accuracy, and speed, a daily-start answer should feel tangible. Consider weaving in pieces like:

• Customer-first mindset: “My morning routine includes a quick prep checklist so I can greet customers with a ready help approach—ready to take orders exactly and with a friendly tone.”

• Team support: “I’m always the person who checks in with the crew first thing, asks if anyone needs extra hands, and steps in when the line gets heavy.”

• Quality and speed balance: “I plan to keep a steady tempo—fast enough to keep lines moving, calm enough to avoid mistakes on orders.”

A practical framework you can use (without sounding rehearsed)

• Step 1: State the core routine in one sentence.

• Step 2: Tie the routine to a measurable impact (e.g., fewer order errors, faster service, happier guests).

• Step 3: Link to team and store values (friendliness, reliability, teamwork).

• Step 4: Add a personal touch that shows sincerity (a brief why you care about helping people).

A quick example you can customize:

“I start my day by listing the top three tasks I want to complete and by checking in with teammates to see who needs a hand. This keeps me focused and helps us keep the line moving smoothly. I care about delivering warm, accurate service because I know a good interaction can turn a quick lunch into a repeat visit.”

How interviewers listen and what they’re listening for

• Tone and cadence: A confident, natural pace signals comfort with the role and the environment.

• Specificity: Vague promises don’t land; concrete routines and examples land.

• Consistency: Do the described habits align with what you’ve done in past roles? Consistency over time matters.

• Relevance: Does the answer mirror the store’s needs—speed, accuracy, teamwork, customer care?

A few more subtle tips to keep in mind

• Practice aloud, but stay natural. It’s better to sound genuine than perfectly rehearsed.

• Keep it short. If you can hit your main points in 60–90 seconds, you’ll leave room for other topics without losing attention.

• Mirror the store’s vocabulary. If they talk about “friendly service” or “teamwork,” echo that language in your answer.

• Be honest about growth. If you’re still building a morning routine, say so honestly and describe the steps you’re taking to improve.

A moment of reflection: a small digression that ties it all together

Sometimes we all start the day in different ways. Some folks rise with a plan, others prefer to respond to the moment. Both approaches can work in a Jersey Mike’s setting, as long as they support consistent, customer-centered performance. The key is to connect your personal routine to the real work of the shop: welcoming guests, taking orders accurately, and collaborating with the team to keep service smooth under pressure. When you can describe that bridge clearly, you communicate not just readiness, but a thoughtful commitment to the job.

Putting it into practice

If you’re gearing up for that Phase 3 stage, try this: jot down two variations of your answer—one that emphasizes routine, one that emphasizes teamwork. Then practice telling both aloud in a conversational voice. Record yourself and listen for clarity, pacing, and warmth. Share the clips with a friend or mentor and ask for quick feedback. The more you practice in a natural, relaxed way, the more you’ll feel ready when the moment arrives.

Final takeaway: the daily start that speaks volumes

In fast-paced service roles, what motivates you to start your day isn’t just about motivation in the abstract. It’s about a practical, repeatable approach to work—one that makes you reliable, helpful, and aligned with the team’s goals. When you describe a morning routine that supports fast, accurate, friendly service and teamwork, you’re telling a story about how you show up every shift. That story, told with honesty and clear specifics, resonates with interviewers and gives them confidence that you’ll be a steady, positive presence on the floor.

So, the next time you’re asked to talk about what motivates you to start your day, answer with what you actually do, why it matters, and how it helps the team and customers. Keep it real, keep it concise, and let your natural rhythm do the talking.