How do you define success?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Answer Example
Community Answers

The interviewers want to know what success means to you. Offer insight into what motivates your work. How you answer will help them determine if you consider success as crossing items off your daily list, or if you scale success incrementally, toward more big picture goals.

Speak from the heart. Break down what success means to you across all fronts--short-term goals, long-term goals, the big picture, and how to get there while protecting the company's assets. Tell the interviewer how you view success through this lens and be sure to mention the success you plan to bring to this position should they should offer you the role.

"I'd say, regardless of how incremental it may be, every inch forward towards any goal is a success. Even if that inch was simply learning something that could be used towards accomplishing a goal, it's still a success. Finding ways to improve upon the progress you make turns that next inch into a mile."

Anonymous Answer

"I will start broad, then narrow my answer's down. As a value-driven person who is passionate about progressive change, success is making a tangible impact on progressive issues. A long-term success for me is to be at the top of my field, regularly working on high-profile cases. A short-term success would be to find opportunities to expand my skill set to find my legal niche."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will be pleased to hear that you associate impact with success both personally and professionally.

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How to Answer: How do you define success?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Department of Justice job interview.

2. How do you define success?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewers want to know what success means to you. Offer insight into what motivates your work. How you answer will help them determine if you consider success as crossing items off your daily list, or if you scale success incrementally, toward more big picture goals.

Written by Kevin Downey on May 9th, 2022

How to Answer

Speak from the heart. Break down what success means to you across all fronts--short-term goals, long-term goals, the big picture, and how to get there while protecting the company's assets. Tell the interviewer how you view success through this lens and be sure to mention the success you plan to bring to this position should they should offer you the role.

Written by Kevin Downey on May 9th, 2022

Answer Example

"I'd say, regardless of how incremental it may be, every inch forward towards any goal is a success. Even if that inch was simply learning something that could be used towards accomplishing a goal, it's still a success. Finding ways to improve upon the progress you make turns that next inch into a mile."

Written by Kevin Downey on May 9th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I will start broad, then narrow my answer's down. As a value-driven person who is passionate about progressive change, success is making a tangible impact on progressive issues. A long-term success for me is to be at the top of my field, regularly working on high-profile cases. A short-term success would be to find opportunities to expand my skill set to find my legal niche."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will be pleased to hear that you associate impact with success both personally and professionally.

Next Question