It's that time again. It's time for the Toughest Interview Question of the Week. If you have been looking for a job in the Manhattan area, then you know how important it is to be prepared for your interview.
In this series, each week we take a new interview question, find out where the traps are, and come up with the very best answer.
So, here is the toughest interview question of the week:
Question:
How do you define success, and how do you measure up to your own definition?
Why it's a trap: This question is fairly clear cut. The main goal of it is to see how well you have prepared. The interviewer wants to see if you will fumble and not be ready with an answer for this question.
Best answer: The best way to answer this is to give them a well-accepted definition of success and the reasons why you are successful. It's a good idea to look for quotes on success that you can use to demonstrate why you are a success. Here are some examples:
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."
- David Brinkley
"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."
- David Frost
"Success is falling nine times, and getting up ten."
- Jon Bon Jovi
"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire."
- Arnold H. Glascow
"Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil."
- J. Paul Ghetty
Of course, you can feel free to use whatever quote or definition of success resonates for you. After giving the definition, you can add that you would consider yourself successful and fortunate to have had the opportunity to (summarize your skills, experience, and career goals to show a path toward realizing your goal of success.)
Your main goal here is to show them that you have given this some thought. Remind them of what makes you a great candidate for the job and show them the path you have taken to achieve your career success.
What do you think about this question and answer? Let me know in the comments.
Are you looking for a job in the Manhattan area? Be sure to visit ManhattanJobs.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for ManhattanJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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