When asking this question, the interviewer is most likely determining your sense of motivation and whether you’re a good fit. It may be a surprise question to try to take you out of your comfort zone, so take your time to prepare an answer before going to the interview.

Be specific. Forget about giving generic and vague answers. Instead, think of something in the past that you think you did well and enjoyed, which can be relevant to the job that you’re applying for. This will give you an opportunity to talk about your past experiences and showcase your enthusiasm for the job.

Be confident. This is important, since confidence is often a gauge in how the interviewer rates all the applicants he or she has talked to in a day. Exude confidence when sharing your skills. Make sure to provide proof that you’ll really excel, and convince the interviewer that you are the perfect fit for the job.

List all your strengths. If you can’t think of anything that made you feel satisfied in your jobs in the past, grab a pen and paper and list all your strengths. It’s likely you’ve felt satisfied and confident in a job that had to do with something you’re good at. From there, you need to call up memories of when you excelled.

Let them know what motivated you in the past. Perhaps you can relate an example project in the past to help the interviewer determine your preferences.

Erase the negativity. Don’t say that money makes you satisfied — this will not create a good impression of you. Look on the positive side and remember what made you feel happy and fulfilled in your past job.

If you’re still struggling to think of something that made you feel satisfied, write down all the things you appreciated in your last company. Prioritize the list, and from there, draft answers that explain what made you feel fulfilled as an employee.

What’s important is to get your point across to avoid making the wrong impression. Remember to smile and take a pause when needed. Preparing ahead of time will help you get rid of the nerves when this question comes up during the interview.