Interviews usually have a lot of questions for candidates. The purpose is to assess not just your skills, but also how you align with the company’s values and goals. One question that stands out is, “How do you define success?”
When answering this one, it’s important to reflect on what truly drives you. Crafting a thoughtful response that highlights growth, achievement, and alignment with the role can help set you apart.
In this article, we’ll provide examples and strategies to deliver the best answer confidently.
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Why do recruiters ask, “How do you define success?”
When recruiters ask “How do you define success,” they’re evaluating whether your definition of success fits within the company's vision and if you’ll be a good long-term fit for the role.
“Success is defined differently by everyone, and realizing this can help us identify if the candidate's values and goals match the objectives of our company,” says Jacob Kalvo, co-founder and CEO at Live Proxies. “This question also provides insight into whether the individual has a growth mindset, which is crucial, especially in dynamic and fast-paced industries.”
Here are some variations of this question that recruiters may also use:
- How do you evaluate success?
- How do you define success in one sentence?
- How do you measure success in your career?
- What does success mean to you?
- How do you define professional success?
- What does achieving success look like for you?
- How do you know when you’ve been successful in a role?
- How do you assess your own success?
- How do you determine if you’ve achieved your goals?
With a question like this, Kalvo says, a company is looking for people whose definition of success encompasses not only individual performance but also team achievements and customer satisfaction.
What is a good way to define success? Tips to nail your answer
To answer this question properly, you should be prepared with a clear, well-structured answer that links personal success with professional accomplishments. “This means reflecting on what motivates you and how your definition of success can link to the team and the company,” Kalvo says. Here’s what you need to know to craft your best answer:
1. Focus on growth and learning
One strong approach is to define success as a continuous journey of growth and learning. You can explain how you evaluate success by measuring both personal development and your ability to adapt and learn new skills. This demonstrates to the recruiter that you're driven by improvement and not just outcomes.
2. Align your answer with the company’s goals
Another effective strategy is to link your definition of success to the company's mission. For example, if the organization emphasizes innovation, you could highlight how success means contributing to projects that push boundaries and drive forward-thinking solutions. This shows you are not only goal-oriented but also committed to aligning with the company’s vision.
3. Highlight a balance between personal and team achievements
Incorporating teamwork into your definition of success can resonate strongly with recruiters. “Candidates should highlight how they’ve improved their skills or contributed to the team's development, aligning personal growth with the company’s success,” Kalvo says.
Emphasize that success isn't just about individual achievements but also about helping the team or company reach shared goals, showcasing leadership and collaboration—qualities highly valued by employers.
4. Provide specific examples
A strong way to answer “How do you define success” is by sharing a concrete example from your experience. “A good candidate would, for example, describe when they took the initiative in order to solve a complicated problem that was straining workflow for greater efficiency and customers' satisfaction,” Kalvo says.
Talk about a time when you felt successful and explain the specific steps you took to achieve that result. This helps the recruiter see how your definition of success translates into real-world actions and outcomes, making your response more relatable and memorable.
5. Emphasize adaptability and resilience
Another great approach is to highlight how you measure success through your ability to adapt and overcome challenges. By explaining that success for you is about resilience—how you handle obstacles, learn from failures, and continue pushing forward—you show recruiters that you thrive under pressure and are capable of evolving in dynamic environments.
“How do you define success?” interview question: Examples of answers
Whether you're applying for a leadership position, a creative role, or a customer-facing job, here are sample answers for various scenarios to help you craft a strong, relevant response.
Example #1: How do you define success in a leadership role?
Sample answer:
“For me, success means empowering my team to reach their full potential while achieving our collective goals. I measure success by how effectively I can guide others, foster collaboration, and drive positive outcomes that benefit both the team and the company. For instance, in my last role, I led a project where we exceeded our sales targets by 20%, all while helping team members develop new skills.”
Example #2: How do you define success in a creative role?
Sample answer:
"I define success as the ability to bring innovative ideas to life while meeting the client’s objectives. It’s about balancing creativity with practicality. I measure success not only by the satisfaction of the client but also by how much I’ve grown as a designer. For example, in a recent project, I successfully developed a campaign that increased user engagement by 15%, all while experimenting with new design techniques."
Example #3: How do you define success in a customer service role?
Sample answer:
"For me, success in customer service means creating positive experiences that lead to long-term relationships. I evaluate success by customer satisfaction, loyalty, and how efficiently I can resolve issues. In my previous role, I consistently achieved a 95% customer satisfaction rate and helped reduce average response times by 30%."
Example #4: How do you define success in a sales role?
Sample answer:
"I define success in sales as not just meeting targets, but building lasting relationships with clients. I measure my success by both revenue generated and client retention. For example, in my last position, I was able to increase my client portfolio by 25%, while maintaining a 90% retention rate."
Example #5: How do you define success in an entry-level role?
Sample answer:
"As someone early in my career, I define success as gaining new skills and contributing to the team’s objectives. I measure my success by how much I learn and the quality of work I deliver. In my last internship, I was able to streamline a reporting process that saved the team 5 hours per week, and that experience showed me the value of continuous improvement."
Example #6: How do you define success in a team project?
Sample answer:
"For me, success in a team setting means achieving collective goals while ensuring that each team member feels valued and contributes their strengths. I measure success by how well the team collaborates and the outcomes we produce together. For instance, in a recent project, I coordinated a cross-functional team to launch a new product ahead of schedule. Not only did we meet our targets, but we also improved our communication process, which enhanced efficiency by 20% for future projects."
Personalize your response based on the role and your experiences. By tailoring your response to align with the role, you'll show that your definition of success aligns with the company's goals—and that will help you stand out as a thoughtful and driven candidate.
Bonus tips
Here are a few final tips to help you perfect your answer to how do you define success:
- Keep it concise: Make sure your response is clear and to the point. Avoid over-explaining or using jargon that might confuse the interviewer.
- Be authentic: Your answer should reflect your true values and work style. Authenticity resonates better with recruiters and shows confidence in your approach.
- Stay positive: Frame your response in a way that reflects optimism and forward-thinking. Focus on how success drives you to keep growing and contributing.
- Practice makes perfect: Practice your answer out loud to ensure it flows naturally and feels genuine during the interview.
By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to provide a thoughtful and compelling response!