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Success: What Is Its True Meaning? Essay

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Success. It is a word that means many things to different people. To me, the word means attaining things in life that I never thought would be possible for me or others to do. It is not something that can be physically seen but is rather a state of mind. This is because success can only be truly defined by a person in such a way that the word and his concept of the word fit his current status or situation. However, some people tend to define success more on the material definition of the word. For example, if a person is a doctor with a big house, an expensive car, and living what the others view as a luxurious life that they cannot afford to indulge in, then that doctor is a success.

In terms of word etymology, the word success was based upon the original Latin word successes that meant “an advance succession or happy outcome.” But the etymology for success does not end there. In reality, successes evolved from the word succedere. Succedere originally meant “come close after.” Due to the varied origins of the word, the closest historical account my research could show regarding the first use of the word could only date back to its first verbal use to the year 1586.

Although I believe that the word has varied meanings pertaining to the way it is applied, there is actually only one real meaning for the word that is accepted as its proper definition. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word in three ways. First, as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” The second is ” the attainment of fame, wealth or social status.” Third, as a “person or thing that achieves success.”

From these definitions, we can deduce what the term “success” does not mean. It does not mean simply planning to accomplish something in life but never actually working towards achieving it. It is perhaps far simpler to explain that success is the opposite of failure—a word that means unsuccessful attempts to do things in life. Therefore, success should never be defined as half-hearted attempts to accomplish or achieve an end goal. It is either you achieve your goal and become a success, or you do not and become a failure. There is no middle ground in defining success.

Going back to my definition of the word, I firmly believe that success is a state of mind wherein a person sees the things he has done in his life and finds joy and happiness in its outcomes. Success can only be defined by the person who had to work hard to achieve his plans or defeat the obstacles in his path. It is achieving in life what you thought you could not and constantly pushing yourself self to discover your limitations in life.

A person must work hard to become a success because it is not something that a person is born into. Neither is it an inborn talent that just shows itself. I would like to present myself as a clear example of success. I came to this country with some plans in mind for myself to achieve, and I have worked hard to achieve some of them within the past two years. Do I define myself as a success even though not all my plans have been fulfilled? Yes, I do. I have worked hard to get to where I am today. That, in my opinion, is the true definition of success.

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How do you define success? (in your personal & business life)

No one wants to be a mediocre individual, nobody wants to be a failure. Doesn’t matter whether we speak about individuals or organizations, each of us wants to be successful. But what does it mean to be successful? And how do you define success? And how should you define it in a job interview?

Each person has its own idea of success. It depends on our present situation, on our role models, upbringing, and how we see the world around us. And also on the limitations we set for ourselves. And while most people measure success in terms of money and possession, there are certainly individuals (or even organizations, and many of them) who have completely different criteria. Spiritual, religious, personal and other aims and their attainment is a synonym of success for these people.

But how to answer the question in an interview? Let’s have a loot at 15 sample answers first, including quotes from some famous figures. Below the answers you will find additional explanation and hints on how to make the best possible impression on the interviewers , while you try to define success in your interview. The answers will work also for the popular alternative of this question: “What is your interpretation of success?”

15 sample answers to “How do you define success (in your personal & business life)?” interview question

• Success is being part of something bigger , helping an organization to meet worthy goals, to bring some value to the world. I would love to be a part of your success story.
• Success is being able to do your best every day in all roles you have in life , whether it is a role of a son, father, or an employee. That’s something I aspire to every day, and a reason why I get out of bed every morning. At least that’s my personal interpretation of success.
• A successful man is one who enjoys their life , who knows why they wake up and go to work, and who sees a purpose in everything they do. I definitely consider myself successful, but a job with you would make it even slightly better .
• Success is a progressive realization of a worthy ideal. (Earl Nightingale)
• Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value. (Einstein)
• Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. (W. Churchill)
• Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming. (J. Wooden)
• The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty. (Z. Ziglar)
• Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success. (S. Sivananda)
• Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. (A. Schweitzer)
• Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. (D. Johnson)
• Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do. (not attributed)
• You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it. (O. Winfrey)
• Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. (B. Lee)
• The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. (V. Sassoon)

Focus on the organization, connect your goals with theirs

Only a few individuals (typically people with equanimity and inner happiness) measure their success in terms of what they did for someone else , or what they are trying to achieve for other people or living organisms.

Surprisingly this is the best answer you can give in an interview– focusing on the others, demonstrating selfless attitude to life and to people around you. It doesn’t really matter if you get an employee of a month award, or achieve a promotion in the shortest possible time… What matters is how the company, and their clients, benefits from your work , and from the value you create in the job.

* May also interest you: How do you deal with failure?

Process matters more than the final result

Nobody has a total control of what they achieve in life. Many variables play their role, and we can certainly not say that for sure we will achieve this or that in our life, or for an organization. In fact we do not even know what tomorrow will bring. Just look at the pandemic as a prime example of unpredictability .

What is more, setting such goals can easily make us upset (especially when we can’t achieve them), and it makes us focused more on the future, instead of enjoying the present moment , and giving our very best to the activity which we do right now.

Mark my words: It is an effort that counts . In terms of employment, and being successful as an employee, it means trying your best every day in work. And you can certainly refer to this process in an interview. Law of action and reaction cannot be broken. If you try your best, and are consistent in your efforts , it will eventually pay off–for both you and your employer. Because it cannot be any otherwise.

Want an unconventional answer? You can use a quote of someone famous.

Many famous people have been asked how they define success . Artists, scientists, politicians, athletes, philosophers–you name it.

And while some of their answers won’t really work in a job interview, others are perfect for the purpose. Check my little collection of such quotes in the list of sample answers above. What is more, referring to words of someone famous (famous in good means), you show the interviewers that you like to read, and are inspired by successful role models. Feel free to use one of the quotes in your interview, but do not forget to mention the author of it.

Final thoughts, answers to other questions

Each company wants to be successful, or at least to survive. In order to do so, they need employees who dream of success , and who can connect their personal goals with the goals of the corporation.

Try to find this connection and present it in your interview. Do not forget to talk with enthusiasm , and to show motivation to do a good job, to be successful in your new role.

Remember that even the best words won’t make any impact if they do not correspond with your non-verbal communication , with the impression you make in an interview. Your verbal and non-verbal communication are equally important on a big day…

What’s more, this isn’t the only difficult question you will face while interviewing for any decent job. You will face questions about prioritization, dealing with pressure, dealing with ambiguity , and other tricky scenarios that happen in the workplace.

If you want to make sure that you stand out with your answers and outclass your competitors, have a look at our Interview Success Package . Up to 10 premium answers to 31 tricky scenario based questions (+ more) will help you streamline your interview preparation, and get ready for every challenge you may possibly face in your interviews. Thank you for checking it out, and I wish you best of luck!

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How Do You Define Success?

Meeting personal goals must determine the success of one's life..

Posted July 7, 2021 | Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

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• While ideals are subjective, a chosen and fulfilling lifestyle with which others may disagree can be considered a success.
• Our particular criteria for success will closely relate to our social, political, educational, and religious values—in a word, our ideology.
• Most writers employ a business model in talking about success—a model that focuses as much on monetary worth as much as anything else.

Can you call yourself a success if the one thing you feel you’ve accomplished in life is marrying and having children? Or if, despite many failures, at least you avoided ending up on the streets? Or even if you did end up living on the street?

In the homeless instance, it’s unlikely you’d regard yourself as successful, particularly if you were reduced to begging others for loose change to purchase a burger—or beer. Still, it’s crucial to ask yourself who reserves final authority to judge the success of your existence?

And when you ponder this question, you’ll probably grasp that we all have our perspective on what makes a person successful. Further, our criteria will closely relate to our social, political, economic, educational, and religious values—or ideology. And inevitably, such ideals are subjective. Moreover, since people’s assessments of success are tied to their ideals, then it’s the unique experience of the person being evaluated whose “verdict” should be given the most weight.

That said, it must be admitted that the bulk of the popular literature on this subject—I’ve yet to find a single scholarly piece dealing with it—focuses almost exclusively on success criteria as derived from a business model. And this model has mostly to do with the number of one’s earnings or one’s accumulated wealth generally.

Seen more in a family context, success has routinely been estimated along the lines of how good a provider the individual has been for their spouse and children. Still, other writers talk about fame (or admiration) as much as fortune, while comparatively few talk about happiness . And if they do, it’s mostly about how material prosperity eventuates in happiness—a position undoubtedly open to debate.

This post, essentially existential in approach, will make the case that meeting one’s personal goals—whether others approve or not—must determine the (subjective) success of one’s life. At least theoretically, even a person who lives on the street, if consciously their overriding motive was to repudiate the conventions of various societal institutions, would have to be regarded as successful if their chosen lifestyle was somehow fulfilling to them.

Questioning Attempts to Clarify a Topic That Resists Definitive Categorizing

Merriam-Webster’s definition of success is relatively typical of how dictionaries characterize it. It’s indicative of just how subjective the concept is, and I’ll use it as an example of the term’s rich—but unresolvable—complexity.

For many, success means reaching a goal, accomplishing a task, or otherwise accomplishing what they set out to do–Essentially, something is a success when the outcome turns out well, is desirable, or is favorable. Beyond that, the definition of success is personal.

Note Merriam-Webster's hedging through twice employing the word “or.” By stating that “many” people see it in 1 of 3 ways, it extends its definition by talking about its possibly “turning out” in 1 of 3 ways. And then (suggesting it can’t really define it any more specifically) ends its description with the caveat above.

Note, too, that although most writers consider the ethical dimensions of success, Merriam-Webster avoids alluding to this facet, no doubt, because defining what’s meant here by “ethical” is also subjective and personal.

One’s moral system, that is, may not accord with others because they hold themselves to different guidelines and principles. And dictionaries lack the prerogative to make moral pronouncements independent of widespread usage.

Questioning Various Assumptions That Try to “Depersonalize” the Concept

One author , for example, asserts that success is achievable “when you try your best in all aspects of everything you do.” And that’s actually a position several writers take. But logically, why should anyone put maximum effort into doing something not exciting or important to them, or that they don’t care about and in no way are required to?

Perfectionism is hardly a coveted trait—it’s mostly a burden—and, too, it lacks any inherent relationship to people’s experiencing themselves as successful.

Writers generally have advanced their own biases about success, revealing a lot more about their values than making the abstraction tangible. Here’s but one example in a piece entitled “19 Definitions of Success You Should Never Ignore” (2021) . I won’t list all the 19 examples offered. Just a few will suffice for what I want to illustrate:

• Success is always doing your best [ the most frequent criterion];
• Success is having a place to call home;
• Success is understanding the difference between need and want;
• Success is believing you can (and this presumably will ensure your success—but I’d add that this position ignores the fact that, realistically, no one can do or be everything they wish);
• Success is learning that you sometimes have to say no; and
• Success is knowing your life is filled with abundance (the author’s idealism again, but try convincing someone living in poverty with seriously addicted, abusive parents).

Those who’ve written about success don’t discuss degrees of success. They see it as either present or absent (as they do failure). That orientation also oversimplifies—or overlooks—all involved in how a particular person feels about their achievements or what they believe constitutes those achievements.

Coming Up With Your Definition of Success

It’s vital to emphasize that their genetics and culture heavily influence a person’s notion of success. Consequently, their self-evaluation may not be truly authentic because it may not have resulted from thoughtful self-reflection or soul-searching.

Here’s an excellent example of a writer’s confessing that what she believed defined success was imbibed from messages implicit in our society:

For most of my life, I had a narrow definition of what success meant. It involved people knowing your name, and having enough money—i.e., lots of money—to buy an endless stream of designer handbags and big cars. It wasn’t a definition I had opted-in to, but [was] fed to me from childhood through films, magazines about celebrities, and our education system. And I swallowed it whole.

But to be true to yourself, vs. simply conforming to societal norms, what’s necessary is to discover what—given your inborn predilections, passions, and gifts—you want your life to center on. And then, evaluating how well you’ve accomplished your priorities will verify how successful you’ve been.

To put this somewhat differently, you could view yourself as successful but, in the eyes of the world, be seen as a dismal failure. And this discrepancy could just as quickly go in the opposite direction. Consider, for example, the many instances of distinguished celebrities’ taking their own life.

Yet as one Quora writer encapsulates it: “Living life on your terms and conditions is the most challenging task in the modern world [since] most people spend their entire life living on the terms and conditions of [others]. In his own (admittedly, somewhat exaggerated) words:

In their childhood, they live as their parents decide. In their schools, they live as their teachers decide. In their home, they live as their spouse decides. In their office, they live as their bosses decide. In their old age, they live as their children decide.

To conclude, despite the “terms and conditions” you may have internalized from your environment. Finally, you alone get to decide how successful you’ve been. And if you feel you haven’t lived up to your specified ideals, you also have the freedom (with or without professional help) to make new lifestyle choices that can transform how you see yourself.

© 2021 Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.

Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. , is the author of Paradoxical Strategies in Psychotherapy and The Vision of Melville and Conrad . He holds doctorates in English and Psychology. As of mid-July 2024, Dr. Seltzer has published some 590 posts, which have received over 54 million views.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, defining success in a college essay.

So, when a prompt asks about how I define success or how I'll be successful in college, are they looking for specific achievements, or is it more about personal growth and character development? What do colleges actually want to see in these types of essays?

Hi there! When it comes to essay prompts asking about your definition of success or how you see yourself being successful in college, the admissions committee is often interested in your values and priorities. You might mention specific achievements if they're important to you, but the focus should be much more on your personal journey – including growth and character development.

Think about articulating your vision of success in a way that showcases your individual perspective. For example, if community service has been a crucial part of your life, you could define success as the positive impact you make on others' lives. It's also an opportunity to highlight intrinsic qualities like determination, adaptability, or collaboration that you believe will help you thrive in college.

Keep in mind that they're looking to understand you more deeply through these essays. So, beyond any external metrics of success, they’re interested in why those achievements or the process of reaching them matter to you. Make sure to provide insights into who you are and how you approach challenges, aiming for an authentic and reflective response.

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Be True. Be Strong. Be Focused.

What Does Success Mean?

July 24, 2019

If you’re struggling to define what a successful life means, I have two pieces of good news for you:

• It’s never too late to start over.
• You get to write your own definition of success.

Many of us chase career titles, money, or social status — and yet we don’t feel successful when we get those things.

That’s because you can only measure success in your life when you define what drives your happiness and helps you find purpose. 

What is success to you?

Success is something that you have to define for yourself, and no one can do it for you. Success could mean a sense of giving back to the world and making a difference. It could mean a sense of accomplishment and career progression.

It could mean being able to do the things you love. It could mean being able to provide the best possible upbringing for your children.

It’s entirely up to you.

A one-size-fits-all approach is impossible. 

Let’s talk about the habits of successful people , and how successful people achieve great things by defining their own terms for success.

It’s never too late to write your success story

Many people think that they’re already too old to succeed.

Let’s consider some facts:

• At age 23, Oprah had just been fired from her first broadcasting job.
• At age 30, Jonah Peretti was teaching middle schoolers before founding his billion-dollar media companies, Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post.
• At age 40, Stan Lee finally achieved success with Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and X-Men comics.
• At age 50, Julia Child wrote her first cookbook .
• At age 62, Kernel Sanders’ fried chicken business KFC finally succeeded.
• At age 77, Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s president after spending 27 years in jail.

If we can learn anything from these people who succeed later in life, it’s this:

Success has no deadline.

In fact, according to the Forbes Top 100 list , on average, the people who found the world’s biggest companies don’t start until age 35. Out of 539 founders, the average age of starting their company was 40. Many of the world’s most successful people don’t even start pursuing their dreams until their 50s or 60s.

Success doesn’t mean by a certain age, at a certain time, or by a certain deadline. It isn’t about any other person’s measures or metrics except your own. 

You can decide when is the prime of your life .

I’ve always wanted to write a book. And at age 40, I did.

But the book I published didn’t feel like “ My Book .” And in fact, I almost felt like an imposter .

By age 50, I thought I was ready, but the timing wasn’t right.

Not until I turned 60 did I feel ready and able to write the book I truly wanted to write. Now more than ever, I feel ready to let “ My Book ” spill out of me and onto the page.

Success must match the rhythm of your soul.

Writing “ My Book ” came naturally only after some major life lessons and transformations. I used those experiences to answer the big questions in my soul. But it could only happen at the right moment.

What does success mean to me?

I used one of the most cathartic and depressing points of my life as the catalyst to define my take on success. It came when I stepped out of the closet — only to lose family and friends, status and regard.

In the midst of this heartbreak and hope, I was vulnerable. I realized what I needed most at this point in my life: open minds and soft hearts.

My mind had opened wide enough to burst out of silence and hiding. I wanted soft hearts and compassion because my heart had softened, too. An open mind and soft heart finally became the seedbed for the most courageous act of my life to that point. 

Moving forward, I sought these values in myself and others, above all. I defined for myself that, at the end of my life, the most important markers of success would be how I answer these two questions:

• How open is my mind? 
• How soft has my heart remained? 

These questions define what success looks like for me.

When my mind is closed to new ideas and resisting change, I’m not achieving my definition of success. When my heart is hard, holding onto anger and hate, I’m failing.

I measure personal success based on the people who had my back at my most vulnerable point. I carry these questions with me, to guide me through transitions and transformations rocking the foundations of my life.

Today, these questions lead me through successful ventures in all areas of my life.

Including the ability to finally write the book I’ve always wanted to write.

What does success mean to you?

Understanding success in your terms doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, and many acts of courage, to uncover the deeper questions at the heart of your success journey.

You have to learn how to believe in yourself .

So the question becomes:

How can you discover the seeds waiting to blossom into ideas that drive the process of finding your purpose and meaning in your life?

I’m going to walk you through a short exercise to help get to the root of what success means to you. But first, let’s talk about what success doesn’t mean.

Success doesn’t mean copying what someone else is doing as a metric of your worth. If you use a comparison of achievements as a regular practice, you’re using an unhealthy and toxic practice. STOP that SHIT!

When you think about the strengths of others and then compare them to your weaknesses, how do you measure up? Does it feel good?

As funny as it sounds, we’ve all done just that — compare our flaws to the strengths in other people.

Maybe you see someone online sharing news about a promotion, an engagement, a new car, or a lavish vacation.

We all know what happens next. We immediately look at ourselves to see how we size up. “Megan just bought a new house. Why don’t I have that at my age? What’s wrong with me?”

That’s not to say that comparison has no benefit. Mentors and role models can serve as great sources of inspiration. They demonstrate leadership qualities , and show the steps toward achieving big long term goals and proving that it can be done, at any age.

More often though, comparing yourself to others will leave you feeling dissatisfied and inadequate.

It causes you to lose sight of your strengths and accomplishments. Comparison gives a skewed version of reality that highlights your insecurities while exaggerating the success of other people.

Stop comparing your blooper reel to everyone else’s highlight reels.

When you see someone who seems to have it all, you don’t see the full picture. People project their best achievements and rarely expose their painful failures. In other words, you see the highlights — a glamorous montage of achievements, distinctions, and talents.

At the same time, you can only see yourself from behind the scenes. Day-to-day life is not always exciting, for anyone. It’s filled with awkward moments, messy emotions, and yes — mistakes.

Comparison sets you up for failure from the start. It traps you in an ongoing cycle of insecurity in which you’ll never quite measure up.

The wrong kind of comparison puts attention on the assets of other people, rather than focusing on your strengths and goals . Getting caught up in other peoples’ achievements causes you to lose sight of your values. 

You wind up chasing someone else’s dreams rather than pursuing your version of success.

What does success look like?

Since we know that comparison and status symbols are the worst way to define success, let’s talk about creating a better definition — tailored to your unique purpose in life.

The path to prosperity begins by finding out: what it means to you?

Take a moment. Close your eyes. Imagine your life the way you would like it to turn out.

Picture what it looks like when:

• You are performing at your best.
• You embody the characteristics you admire.
• You have accomplished everything you wanted.

Now, take a piece of paper. Spend 10 minutes writing down what you see. Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation. 

Simply list all the milestones you want to achieve in different areas of your life. List the principles, habits, career path, relationships, and possessions that define this version of you.

When you’re finished writing, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the goals and attributes in your list align with your values?
• Are these your goals, or are they based on the expectations of someone else?
• Do some of the things on your list matter more than others?
• Have you already accomplished some of the things on your list?
• If not, what are you doing now to work toward these goals?

This process of assessing what you imagine against what you truly desire is powerful. It enables you to highlight goals that mean the most to you — and stop chasing the ones that don’t matter.

You will notice that some items on your list stand out more than others. Think of these as your main dreams and aspirations. Success means moving towards these goals.

At the same time, other items will feel less important. When you examine why you want those things, you may realize… you don’t. Superficial goals and chasing someone else’s dream will lead you further away from success.

If this exercise makes you feel far behind where you think you should be, don’t think of it as a revelation of your failures. Instead, look at it as a new roadmap towards success, and an opportunity to start changing your life .

This way of approaching success provides a starting point that falls in line with your core values .

The next step is taking this clarified vision of success, and creating actionable, short-term goals that will create long-term success. 

Discovering your success journey is best done in baby steps. 

Looking at big goals can feel daunting. Building a profitable business, writing a book, becoming badass in your field — these things don’t happen overnight.

Through research and experience, I’ve learned that tackling big achievements happens by taking small steps consistently, towards a goal that you enjoy pursuing.

Chicago Booth researchers discovered that to achieve long-term success, you also have to consider short-term rewards. The study surveyed a group of 80 gym members asking:

• Did they enjoy the day’s workout? (a short-term reward) 
• Did it feel useful to stay in shape? (long-term reward)
• How many minutes did you spend on the cardio machine?

The researchers found that those who enjoyed their workout spent more time on the cardio machines. In other words, enjoying the process increases your ability to succeed long-term.

While long-term goals are important, studies like this show that finding joy in what you do leads to better success overall.

Maximizing the presence of immediate rewards when pursuing long-term goals, rather than relying on the importance of the goal to carry through, should increase goal persistence.

When you are deciding what success looks like for you, think about the daily steps you will have to take to achieve it.

Of course, it will be hard work. Every big achievement takes hard work. But the work itself has to feel rewarding. Picture what it will feel like working towards the goals you have in mind, and ask yourself:

• Does it use your strengths, or demand skills you’re not suited for?
• Do you enjoy doing it, or do you dread the daily effort?
• Does it make you feel strong and competent, or ineffective and weak?
• Can you see yourself doing the work long enough to get results?

When you paint a picture of success that demands work you hate doing, chances are you will give up long before you reach your goal.

So take your time, and conduct plenty of experiments before you commit to significant changes. Start small and see what if feels like.

How do you define success?

To me, money, status, and possessions are poor indicators of success. There are much more powerful measures to look at:

• Truth : Do you speak and act from your soul?
• Strength : How strong and resilient are you?
• Focus : Are you pursuing what truly matters in your life?

Success develops from your willingness to try repeatedly for a breakthrough — to sweat all the way down until the salt of your soul spills out on the floor.

The lessons and experiences at every stage of life must take place before those big “a-ha” moments that can change your life can happen.

And when you’re ready to reach for it, I can help you find the focus you need to achieve your definition of success .

About Lyn Christian

Hi there, I'm Lyn . My purpose is to support you to earn a living and live your life by doing what inspires you. To accomplish this, I work as a coach, consultant, TEDx speaker, author and founder of SoulSalt Inc.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Success — What is Success and How to Define It

What is Success and How to Define It

• Categories: Success

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Published: Mar 1, 2019

Words: 1355 | Page: 1 | 7 min read

What is success?

Works cited.

• Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Simon & Schuster.
• Dweck, C. (2017). Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential. Robinson.
• Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers: The Story of Success. Little, Brown and Company.
• Grant, A. (2013). Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success. Penguin Books.
• Hill, N. (2020). Think and Grow Rich. Independently published.
• Kipling, R. (1910). If. The National Review.
• Loehr, J., & Schwartz, T. (2003). The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal. Free Press.
• Man's Search for Meaning (2006). Viktor E. Frankl. Beacon Press.
• Robbins, T. (2005). Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Destiny!. Simon & Schuster.
• Tracy, B. (2004). The Psychology of Selling: Increase Your Sales Faster and Easier Than You Ever Thought Possible. Thomas Nelson.

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“How Do You Define Success?” Interview Question (+ Example Answers)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

How do you define success? What a devil of a question. Success is such a subjective concept that everyone likely views it at least a teeny bit differently.

Plus, the mere task of describing success could leave even the most qualified candidates reeling. It’s such a personal thing, making it inherently challenging to put your perspective into words.

We get it. When a hiring manager asks about how you define success, it almost feels like a trap.

Luckily, in the vast majority of cases, it isn’t. Technically, there isn’t a right or wrong answer. However, that doesn’t mean some aren’t better than others. If you want to make sure you handle the “how do you define success” question well, let’s take a look at how to tackle it.

What Is the Meaning of “Success”?

Alright, before you dig into the answers, we need to pause for a second. You can’t talk about how you define success if you don’t have a grasp on what “success” actually means. To start on the road toward figuring that out, let’s see what the Merriam-Webster dictionary has to say.

So, the first definition – “degree or measure of succeeding” – admittedly isn’t very helpful. But, the next one – favorable or desired outcome – is a bit better. For many, success means reaching a goal, accomplishing a task, or otherwise accomplishing what they set out to do.

If you look at the definition of “succeed,” you get a similar story. One of the options on the list is “to turn out well.” Well, if that isn’t just so succinct and pleasant.

Essentially, something is a success when the outcome turns out well, is desirable, or is favorable. Beyond that, the definition of success is personal.

But, even if you see it differently than everyone else, your definition is important. It influences your motivation and drive . And, when it comes to your career, how you see success affects your choices and priorities, ultimately shaping the path you take.

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask This Question?

Another pitstop before we look at how to answer the question “how do you define success” is to take a moment and examine why the hiring manager is asking you this in the first place. After all, it is a bit of an odd question, so there has to be a reason for it, right? Right.

Usually, the interviewer is trying to gauge what you’re like. Your answer gives them glimpses into your work ethic, priorities, preferences, and motivations. It provides them with clues about your values, as well as specific key traits.

Looking for something a little clearer?

Okay, think of it this way: Imagine you are trying to land a position on a sales team. If you said success is exceeding your sales quotas, the hiring manager might view you as independent. But, if you stated that success is ensuring team goals are met, you’ll seem more collaborative. Neither of those is wrong; they just give the hiring manager different pictures of what you’d be like if you landed the position.

Once you answer, the hiring manager can determine how well you’d fit into the team and the company’s culture. Essentially, if your definition of success aligns with the organization’s, team’s, or manager’s, you might be a better fit.

We also wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, this is only one potential interview question you could be asked!

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Common Mistakes When Answering This Question

Alright, one more thing before we talk about how to answer “how do you define success?” While knowing what to say is important, it’s equally critical to know what you shouldn’t say.

Why? Because, during an interview, a single misstep can potentially cost you an opportunity.

First, you need to discuss your definition of success. Not the dictionary’s, not your last boss’s, not some legend of entrepreneurship’s… just yours. You have to get a bit personal, so resist the urge to use someone else’s perspective in place of your own.

Next, avoid talking solely about success outside of work. While getting to the top of the Fortnite leaderboard might be part of your definition of success, that shouldn’t be the focus of your answer. You’re in an interview, so the context needs to be professional.

Finally, don’t try to sell yourself as the perfect example of your version of success. There has to be room for improvement. If you act like you’ve already peaked, the hiring manager won’t be impressed. Instead, they’re going to worry that you won’t listen to feedback or strive to do better, and that won’t work in your favor.

Tips for Answering This Question

1. define, then show.

When you are defining success, you don’t actually want to spend all of your time focused on explaining your definition. Instead, you want to tap on it briefly and then pivot, shifting your response to an achievement that showcases what you mean . It’s the “show, don’t tell” approach to tackling this question. Plus, it’s a great way to squeeze in another accolade, and you never want those to go to waste.

2. Quantify Your Details

During an interview, you know what speaks louder than words? Numbers, that’s what. By quantifying the details, you are giving your accomplishments weight. For example, what sounds better, “I led a big team” or “I led a 12-person team”? The second one, right?

Precision makes your answer powerful, and numbers give you precision. So, if the metrics are impressive, work them into your response.

3. Reference the Company’s Definition

Okay, before, we said you don’t want to use anyone else’s definition of success, and that’s true. But, if you can reference the company’s and then move forward with your own, that’s really the best approach.

Why? Because it shows you did your research. Plus, if your definition has aspects in common with the organization’s, you can highlight that.

Now, don’t change your definition to match; that’s a mistake. Just take the opportunity to find common ground, and make sure the hiring manager sees it, too.

“How Do You Define Success?” Example Answers

By now, you’re probably ready for some examples. That way, you can see what an excellent answer looks like, and use it as a framework.

In most cases, when you’re dealing with behavioral interview questions like this one, the STAR Method and the Tailoring Method is the way to go. Your answer will be thorough and compelling, both of which work in your favor.

If you want to see how to put those techniques into action, here are some sample responses.

1. Entry-Level Jobs

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“I view success as a journey, not a destination. At this early stage in my career, every milestone, big and small, moves me forward, allowing me to develop stronger skills and enhance my performance. In my last position, I frequently volunteered for new projects and embraced every opportunity to learn. Along the way, I improved my skillset, ultimately allowing me to exceed my sales goals by 25 percent. Each time I grew professionally, I didn’t just help the company reach new heights; I also felt successful, and it’s a feeling I enjoy re-earning whenever the chance arises.”

2. Supervisory Positions

“As a manager, I define success not just by my performance but also by the achievements of my team. In my last position, I had the opportunity to coach employees, giving them critical guidance that boosted productivity and profitability. Through efficiency improvements, we were able to reduce project costs by 15 percent while never missing a single deadline and exceeding all outcome quality standards. It was one of my proudest accomplishments, and one I look forward to replicating with my new employer.”

3. Upper Management Roles

“As a leader, I define success in two ways. First, helping the company achieve its larger goals, allowing for the creation of bolder ones, is success, in my eyes. Second, enhancing employee engagement and spurring their commitment to greater growth also qualifies. In my last role, I was able to implement culture improvements that dramatically impacted the workplace, boosting productivity by 10 percent. That allowed us to move forward toward a brighter future, one I was proud to be a part of.”

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, how do you define success is a challenging question. But, by using the tips above, you can make sure you’re ready to nail it as your next interview.

FREE : Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

Download our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you word-for-word sample answers to some of the most common interview questions including:

• What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
• What Is Your Greatest Strength?
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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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How Do You Define Success? Interview Answers

By Biron Clark

Published: November 16, 2023

There are a few reasons that a hiring manager will ask an interview question like, “How do you define success?”

They’re testing your work ethic, attitude, and more… and the wrong answer could cost you the position.

Coming up, I’ll share how to define success in your job interviews with word-for-word example answers, mistakes to avoid, and tips to make sure your answer fits what the employer wants to hear.

How to Answer “How Do You Define Success?” in a Job Interview

The best way to answer “How do you define success?” is to show that you keep your company’s goals in mind, that you give a strong effort toward those goals, and that you aim to steadily grow and improve in your work.

Showing that you measure success and work performance as a strategy to improve will set you apart from other candidates and impress the potential employer.

There isn’t a single right or wrong answer to this question, but the approach above will impress hiring managers and show that you’ll be able to help them advance the company’s mission.

Then, to set your answer apart from other job candidates, consider giving specific examples of one or more past successes in the workplace.

You can discuss a successful project, or a result/achievement you were able to obtain through your personal definition of success.

You’ll see this in some of the sample answers coming up (for example, the last sentence in Example Answer 1 below), so don’t worry if you’re unsure how to give specific examples of defining success right now.

If you can define success like this, the hiring manager will see that you’ll make a positive impact on their team and company culture , and therefore will be more likely to hire you.

Sample Answers to “How Do You Define Success?”

Example answer 1:.

I define success as challenging myself, growing, and learning. I also look at success in terms of how much I’m helping my team and company. I don’t think you can have a good definition of success without looking at the results you achieve with your team. Yet, I think it’s also a mistake to look only at results. I wouldn’t consider myself successful in my work if I weren’t improving, advancing to higher levels of work, analyzing mistakes to turn them into learning opportunities, etc.

Example Answer 2:

My definition of success is putting forth a consistent effort and working to get the best possible outcome in any situation. For me, success starts with my work ethic . When I look back and analyze my past work, I evaluate success based on whether I made the best of the situation. Of course, I also recognize that there are more objective ways to define success in most roles, and I do track my work metrics and progress carefully. For example, in my last role, I tracked my performance among other sales staff, and relative to our team goals, to ensure I was contributing more than what was expected of me. This approach worked well to keep me motivated and accountable, and in the past year, I achieved more than 145% of my individual sales quota.

Example Answer 3:

I define success by looking at my effort and the overall outcome of a situation. I try to maintain a strong work ethic and approach each project and task with great effort and a positive attitude. And I like to review the results of my work to look for ways to improve or make an even larger positive impact in the future. I think that’s one way that any project can be successful — if you’re able to look back and learn a lot from it. This definition of success has helped me be a consistent worker and steadily improve throughout my career. I noticed in your job description that your company values professional development and learning on the job, so I was excited that the company’s vision seems to match up well with how I approach professional goals and how I define success.

Example Answer 4:

To me, success means giving my best effort to each task I’m working on, and also striving to learn and improve steadily. I’ve taken this approach in my personal life, such as in sports, as well as in previous jobs. I also think that success means being patient and planning for the long-term. Professional success takes time, and so it’s important to bring a high level of effort every day, not just the days when you feel like it. To me, being a successful person means being someone my team can count on for that consistent effort. And success means that I can look back after each month and year and see that I’ve improved, too.

Example Answer 5:

In a leadership position like the role I’ve applied for here, I think that success relates to the growth and performance of the team. Success should always be looked at as a team effort to some extent. If my team isn’t producing great work, growing, bonding, and feeling positive, then I’m not succeeding as a manager. When I reviewed your job posting, it seemed like teamwork and collaboration are some of your company’s top values, so I was excited to learn more about what you look for in the leaders you hire.

The answers above all offer something a bit different than each other, but they all accomplish the same general goals as well:

• They show the hiring manager that you’re motivated and optimistic.
• They show that you’re reliable and hard-working and that you’ll help advance the company’s goals
• They show that you not only aim to achieve great results, but that you’re also open to improving and learning.

All of the traits above will thrill most hiring managers because they can’t teach these qualities. A job candidate either has these traits or doesn’t.

And you’re showing the employer that you possess these positive characteristics, which will help you stand out in your job search and get hired for better positions.

Optional Step: Share a Past Success Story to Conclude Your Answer

If you feel your answer is relatively short and you want to add more, conclude by sharing an example of a past achievement or project that was a success.

Pick a project that’s similar to the work you’ll be doing in this next role, or a project that illustrates that you’re a fit for the company’s values or work culture.

For example, if you sense that a company’s goals are to expand and grow, and you helped grow your last company, you could describe how you helped the organization meet those goals in your last role.

You might say the following:

As an example of a past success story, in my last position, we were an early-stage startup looking to grow as quickly as possible. I developed new processes and templates to help our sales team perform 40% more outbound calls and emails per week, which increased our team’s sales revenue by 29% last year. This is a case where I succeeded personally, but also where that success aligns with what my team and company needed to achieve. That’s how I view success overall.

You don’t have to highlight past achievements when answering, “What does success mean to you?” or “How do you define success?” but doing so is one way to stand out when the hiring manager asks about this topic.

As a part of your interview preparation, think of one or two recent success stories or past experiences that align with the work you’ll be doing in this new job.

By preparing examples of past projects where you achieved the desired outcome, you’ll help the hiring manager see that they can expect positive results from you in your future work, too.

If you take this step, you’ll also be ready to answer other tricky interview questions like:

• What is your greatest achievement?
• Tell me about a time you went above and beyond

Mistakes to Avoid: What Not to Say in Your Definition of Success

This can be a tough interview question to answer because it’s such an open-ended question.

So to conclude, I’m going to share a couple of mistakes to avoid when you describe how you view success.

First, don’t give a definition of success that’s longer than 60-90 seconds. That’s an absolute maximum to aim for, and it’s okay if your answer is shorter.

Overall, one of the worst mistakes you can make in a job interview is to give long-winded answers, which will frustrate and exhaust the interviewer.

So aim for around 60 seconds when answering this question in the job interview.

The next mistake to avoid when answering interview questions about how you view success is:

Make sure not to only speak about individual and personal goals. Your answer should always mention team and company goals as well.

It can be a turn-off in the interview if you seem too focused on your personal goals and career goals with no regard for the company’s objectives. Show that you care about both, if possible.

One easy way to show that you care about a company’s goals is to simply mention something you saw on the job description that you feel you could perform well.

You can do this in response to a variety of interview questions.

I noticed in your job description that the role seems heavily involved in ___. In my last job, I succeeded in ___ and ___, so I’m confident that I could step into this role and be successful.

You can use this idea when you define success, or when you answer other common job interview questions like:

• Why did you apply for this position?
• What can you bring to the company?
• Why should we hire you?
• What is your greatest strength?

Conclusion: How to Define Success in an Interview

Success is a subjective concept and different people feel successful based on different factors.

When you answer questions about how you define success, it’s best to show that you’re a team player who balances company and personal goals, and that you’re someone who aims to grow and improve over time.

Then, you can consider concluding with an example of a past project or task where you felt successful, and why.

While answering this interview question, aim to show confidence through your tone of voice, body language , etc.

This is a tricky question and there isn’t one clear definition of success for all roles and career types, but the strategy above will help you show the hiring manager that you’re a strong candidate for any role.

About the Author

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How to Answer “What Does Success Mean to You” Interview Question?

Success is subjective and varies, including financial gain, fulfillment, impact, or work-life balance.

In interviews , defining success shows your values and how you align with the company’s goals.

Prepare by reflecting on achievements, understanding company values, and aligning your goals with theirs.

Avoid sharing overly personal details or using someone else's definition of success.

Evaluate past successes, align with the company’s mission, and personalize your career success vision.

When you're in a job interview , the interviewer might ask, "How do you measure success?" or "What does success mean to you?"

These are open-ended questions with no right or wrong answers. They allow you to show qualities employers value, like determination, motivation, drive, enthusiasm, and a team-focused mindset.

So, in this guide, we’ll discuss how to give a strong answer to these questions, along with examples of good responses.

    What Does Success Mean to You?

It might seem obvious, but it’s hard to answer this question without considering what success means to you personally.

For some, success is about making money . For others, it’s about being happy. While your idea of success may differ, one way to consider this question is by focusing on a positive outcome. This could relate to a work project, a goal, or a task.

To determine success, consider the outcomes you want in your work. Here are some examples:

Feeling fulfilled

Doing meaningful work

Having a purpose

Being valued and appreciated

Being recognized for your contributions

Continually growing

Making an impact at work, in your community, or with your team

Maintaining good health

Achieving financial stability

Balancing work and life

Looking for " jobs near me " and need a little extra help? Yulys is here for you! Whether you’re preparing for an interview or just starting your job search, Yulys offers top-notch employment services to guide you every step of the way. Get started today and take your career to the next level!

Why Interviewers “Ask What Does Success Mean To You Interview Question”?

What success means to you definition in an interview can reveal a lot about your values, work ethic, and personality. It shows what drives you to excel and what motivates you. Interviewers might also ask this question to see if your values align with theirs and if you share a similar vision.

These open-ended questions help interviewers understand if you’re the kind of employee who sets and meets goals. Think of it this way: if you take the personal part out of this question, success simply means something that turns out well. That’s what the interviewer is asking to know if you can achieve good results. If you can communicate that to a hiring manager, you’ll make a strong impression.

 How to Prepare for This Question?

Defining success can be tricky because it's personal and changes over time. There's no single answer for what makes someone successful, and your idea of success will always be unique.

This is normal, but you'll need to focus on defining success in a work context for a job interview .

To prepare, shortlist your recent achievements or times when you accomplished something important. Think about your goals, milestones, and moments when you positively impacted others. Here are some examples:

Did you meet a sales target?

Did you start a new employee resource group after it was a company goal for months?

Did you begin saying "no" to clients, allowing you to focus on launching a new product for your company?

Did you try something new at work? If it didn't work out, did you learn something valuable for the future?

Mistakes to Avoid When Answering What Does Success Mean to You Essay

It's helpful to know what not to say when answering this question. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Don't share overly personal information about your family or yourself.

Don't discuss your political or religious beliefs.

Don't forget to keep your answer professional.

Don't use someone else's definition of success.

Don't make your response sound robotic. Remember, they want to hire a real person, not someone perfect!

         How to Answer What Does Success Mean to You?

Defining success is personal and can vary greatly from one person to another. It's easy to get caught up in how others measure success, but it's important to focus on what it means to you both as an individual and an employee.

To help you craft your answer for a job interview , here’s a three-step method that can guide you in defining and communicating what success looks like to you:

1. Evaluate Your Past Successes

Before discussing future success, reflect on your past achievements. Consider the successes (and failures) you've experienced, your strengths (and weaknesses), and your long-term goals. This reflection will help you identify patterns in your past successes that can inform your definition of future success.

Take a moment to think about your past wins. What challenges did you overcome to achieve them? What did you learn about yourself in the process? By understanding your past accomplishments, you can articulate how you plan to succeed in your future role.

Example Answer:

"Success, to me, is about learning and growing in a role. In my last position as [JOB TITLE], I accepted a challenging project that required a significant learning curve. I learned new skills while completing [PROJECT] and achieving [RESULT]. Success, to me, is about continuous improvement and being open to learning."

Specific Examples of Achievements to Consider:

Organized schedules or logistics for the executive team

Collaborated with other departments

Improved or reorganized processes

Onboarded and trained new team members

Solved problems or implemented new ideas

Increased revenue, sales, or customer retention

Managed budgets or saved the company money

Contributed to good customer service or operational efficiency

2. Understand the Organization's Definition of Success

When interviewers ask about your definition of success, they often look to see if your values align with the company's culture and mission. They want to know if you’re a good fit for the organization.

Before answering, research the company’s mission statement, core values, and culture. Make sure your goals align with what the company prioritizes. Whether the focus is collaboration, innovation, or revenue growth, tailor your answer to reflect the company’s values.

"I know that [COMPANY] places a strong emphasis on [VALUES]. For me, success means working collaboratively with a team to create impactful solutions while upholding these core values. I believe aligning with [COMPANY]'s mission is key to achieving meaningful success."

3. Define What a Successful Career Looks Like for You

This is where you can personalize your answer. Think about what success looks like for you in the short term and long term. Consider how your past experiences and the company’s values align with your career goals.

Success can mean achieving specific workplace goals, stepping out of your comfort zone, or growing into a leadership role . It can also mean learning from past failures and using those lessons to improve.

"I define success as the combination of [COMPANY VALUE] and determination to achieve a goal. I feel a project has been successful when I see real growth in my skills and abilities. At [COMPANY], I would consider my first success to be joining the team. From there, I would build on that success by taking advantage of learning opportunities and collaborating with the talented individuals here."

Are you hiring new employees? Yulys makes it easy! With our platform, you can post a job and connect with top talent quickly. We offer free job posting opportunities, so you can attract the best candidates without breaking the bank. Get started today and find your next great hire with ease!

When asked "What does success mean to you," it's important to define it in a way that reflects your own values and goals. Whether in a job interview or in life, understanding what success means to you can guide your decisions and keep you focused on what truly matters. Remember, your definition of success is personal, so keep it simple, authentic, and aligned with your own aspirations.

What Does Success Mean To You?

Success means reaching goals that bring personal and professional satisfaction while enjoying the journey and making a positive impact on others.

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