Which statement sounds more like you: 'I hate to lose' or 'I love to win'?
The interviewer wants to know more about your love of winning and the impact that loss has on you. The goal of your response is to express the fact that you have a healthy competitive side and to show the interviewer that you have the drive to win.
"Everyone loves to win, but I fully believe that we learn a lot from losing as well. I am not a sore loser; however, I will do what it takes to ensure that I win as often as possible."
"I think that of the two, 'I hate to lose' is more descriptive of me. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to the work that I deliver, which means that I dislike disappointing my boss and myself. With that said, I know there is always something to learn from losing."
"Oh, I love to win! Moreso, I like to help my team members to succeed. Winning and coaching a winning team is a massive part of what drives me. Losing is inevitable at times. When I am not winning, it's essential that I learn from the experience and implement changes from it, rather than dwell on it."
"I believe that everyone loves to win, but the most important part is how you react when you win and when you lose. When I win, I look at what I did right and then implement that strategy more often. When I lose, I analyze where I went wrong and then pivot my approach as needed."
"I love to win more than I hate to lose. What I mean by this is that I don't hate losing. There is always something to learn from a loss. I am a gracious winner, at the same time, and understand there are learning opportunities in every situation - win or lose."
"As a salesperson, the love to win is what drives me. There's a natural inclination to want to win, but I do also learn a great deal from losing. When I lose, I will take the lesson and implement changes immediately."
"When teaching impressionable students, it's important that I show a gracious attitude - win or lose. I do not enjoy losing, but I am great when it comes to seeing the lesson in every loss."
Choose which of the two statements sound most like you, and then be prepared to give the interviewer an explanation. For instance, if you hate to lose, you might express to the interviewer that the pain of losing has a more significant impact on you than the love of winning. You could follow up your response by talking about when you failed at something, how it felt, your actions to recover from the loss, and what you learned from the situation.
Technically, there isn't a wrong answer to this question; however, if you're asked this question in a sales interview, it's most likely that you hate to lose more than you love to win. This outcome is based on human nature and how powerful the fear of losing is.
Avoid giving an overly brief response like, 'I hate to lose.' The interviewer wants you to express your preference while also providing insight into what drives you to win.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I see it as being a player in a soccer game. I love to win! I like to help my team members to succeed. A winning team is a huge part of what drives me. But losing is inevitable sometimes and, when it happens, it's essential that I learn from the experience, and implement changes from it.
Rachelle's Feedback
Excellent response!
Anonymous Answer
"I love to win." It's important to sound positive. Sure, we all need losses in our lives to appreciate our wins more.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a great answer! Well said.
Anonymous Answer
I love to win! There's a great sense of achievement, and a real feel-good factor when you win. Especially when I've really worked hard at something, and the work pays off. I wouldn't be a sore loser.
Having been in sales a long time I found myself being constantly compared directly to others month-on-month, so you have to be gracious in defeat. Water off a duck's back!
Rachelle's Feedback
Wonderful response! You sound full of energy and drive.
Anonymous Answer
I love to win.
When I win I know I've done the best that anyone could expect and it pushes me to keep my expectations high and keep winning.
Rachelle's Feedback
Awesome! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you take this positive approach to your work.
I love to win. When I win, I know I've done the best that anyone could expect of me. Winning pushes me to keep my expectations high and keep winning.
Anonymous Answer
I love to win more, so I love it when the company succeeds by meeting its business objectives and that the Legal department supported the business in achieving its goals. Never a failure; always a lesson. Part of these lessons are what have made us successful in our day to day job.
Rachelle's Feedback
Nicely said! Your answer shows a lot of insight.
Anonymous Answer
There two sides to this question. One is that I am a proven success story, and the other is that I am usually not too proficient. I have enough life experience to know that I am a proven winner. This being said, I also know that not everyday could be a success and that little "loses" shall creep into an occasionally rare day.
Kristine's Feedback
Great answer! You reveal a lot about your mindset in your response. To round out your answer, briefly explain the benefits of a "losing" day. E.g. learning and growth or opportunity for change
Anonymous Answer
Everyone enjoys winning; the winning part is easy. When I do lose, I try to learn from my experience of why I lost and to grow my professional abilities to help me the next time around.
Kristine's Feedback
Excellent response! Your answer will convince the interviewer you want to learn and grow anytime you "lose."
Anonymous Answer
I love to win, and that's because I enjoy knowing we met the milestone and that the project is fulfilling the clients' goals though I think that it's also ok to make a few mistakes as long as it strengthens our abilities.
Rachelle's Feedback
I really like how you made the connection between your success, and your clients' success. Very good answer!
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