How to answer "What is your approach to goal-setting and measuring success?" (with sample answers)

Why Employers Ask This

Most employers believe that goal-setting is crucial to achieving success in any job. Therefore, they want to know how you approach setting goals and measuring success, to determine if you are a good fit for their organization. Your answer to this question can reveal how you organize and plan your work, how you approach challenges, and whether you are committed to continuous improvement and growth.

Employers want to see that you can set achievable goals, prioritize your work, and take a proactive approach to measuring your progress. They also want to know if you have the ability to adjust your approach and adapt to changing circumstances to achieve your goals.

How to Answer the Question

When answering the question, it's important to be honest and specific about your approach to goal-setting and measuring success. Here are some tips to help you answer this question:

1. Highlight your goal-setting process: Explain how you define your goals and how you prioritize tasks to achieve them. This could include details on how you break down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks, and how you track your progress along the way.
2. Showcase your results: Share examples of how you have achieved success in your past roles. Highlight specific projects you completed, goals you surpassed, or metrics you improved.
3. Explain how you measure success: Be clear about the metrics and tools you use to measure your progress. This can help the employer understand how you gather data and make informed decisions about how to move forward.
4. Emphasize adaptability: Describe how you approach unpredictable situations or changing circumstances while pursuing your goals. Show that you have a flexible mindset and can adjust your approach as needed to achieve success.
5. Show your commitment to continuous improvement: Discuss how you reflect on your successes and failures to find ways to improve your performance and outcomes. This can demonstrate that you are committed to ongoing growth and development.

Sample Answers

Answer 1 - Bad

My approach to goal-setting is pretty straightforward. I set goals based on what I think I can achieve realistically. Once I achieve them, I consider myself successful.

This answer is not good because it lacks specificity. It does not provide any details on how the interviewee measures success or how they approach achieving their goals.

Answer 2 - Good

My approach to goal-setting is to use the SMART method. I make sure that my goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. I break down the goal into smaller, achievable tasks, and track progress using a tool such as Asana or Trello. I measure success based on meeting those milestones along the way to the final goal.

This answer is good because it provides a structured approach to goal-setting and specific tools used to measure progress. It also indicates that the interviewee is focused on achieving specific outcomes and has a clear action plan in place.

Answer 3 - Bad

I don't really have a set approach to goal-setting. I just try my best and hope for the best.

This answer is not good because it indicates a lack of planning and intentionality. It also does not provide any insight into how the interviewee measures success or tracks progress.

Answer 4 - Good

When I set goals, I break them down into short-term and long-term goals. I use a tracking tool to monitor my progress and make adjustments when necessary. I also measure success based on whether or not the goal achieved the desired outcome or made a positive impact on the company and its stakeholders.

This answer is good because it provides insight into how the interviewee measures success based on the outcome and impact of their goal. It also demonstrates that they take a strategic approach to goal-setting and are focused on achieving results that benefit the company and its stakeholders.