IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussing personal and career success

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​Success is one of those big ideas that everyone talks about, but it means very different things to different people. For some, it’s climbing the career ladder and earning a high salary, while for others it’s about finding happiness, balance, or personal growth. In the IELTS Speaking Part 3, questions on success often push you to think critically about values, priorities, and how society shapes our definitions. To help you prepare, let’s look at some common questions on personal and career success—along with sample responses that show you how to give clear, thoughtful, and well-developed answers. Keep in mind that these are not the only answers and it's  especially a good chance for you practice stating your alternative points of view. 

​1. What do you think are the key factors that contribute to personal success?
Sample response: "I believe personal success depends on a mix of clear goals, self-discipline, and perseverance. Of course, external factors like family support and opportunities also matter, but in the end, a person’s mindset and ability to stay focused or motivated play the biggest role."

2. How do you define career success?
Sample response: "For me, career success isn’t just about promotions or a high salary. It’s more about feeling fulfilled in your job, being respected in your field, and knowing that your work makes a positive difference. That said, getting promoted and being paid well are also great rewards, of course."

3. Do you think personal success is more important than career success? Why or why not?
Sample response: "I’d say personal success is slightly more important, because career achievements lose their meaning if you don’t feel happy or content in your personal life. But at the same time, I don’t think they’re completely separate—career success often supports personal goals, especially financial stability and  self-confidence. So I'd say they're very closely intertwined."

4. What role do education and qualifications play in achieving career success?
Sample response: ​"I think it depends on the field or industry. In technical fields like medicine, engineering, or accounting, formal qualifications are essential just to get your foot in the door.  But there are also a lot of fields where experience and  adaptability may be more important, such as in sales and in the creative fields. So while education certainly provides a strong foundation, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. In fact, soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and leadership are often just as important, especially for people who want to progress to higher positions.”

5. Can someone be successful without a formal education? Why or why not?
Sample response: "Yes, absolutely. Many entrepreneurs and artists have proven that success can come from creativity, practical skills, and determination rather than formal schooling. That being said, education usually makes the path smoother and opens more doors."

6. How important is hard work compared to talent in achieving success?
Sample response: "I think hard work outweighs talent in most cases. Talent might give someone a head start, but without consistent effort, it rarely leads to sustained success. Hard-working people often surpass naturally gifted ones who don’t put in the same effort."

7. What impact does family support have on a person's success?
Sample response: "I believe that family support can make a huge difference. Emotional encouragement, financial help, or simply having someone believe in you can boost confidence and persistence. Without that, some people still succeed, but the journey is often much more difficult."

8. Do you think people can achieve success on their own, or do they need help from others?
​Sample response: "I don’t think anyone achieves success completely alone. Even if someone works independently, they usually benefit from mentors, colleagues, or a supportive environment. Success is often the result of collaboration, directly or indirectly."

9. How has the definition of career success changed over time?
Sample response: ​"In the past, success was often measured by stability--like staying with one company for decades. People also tended to look at a person's pay grade and position in a company. But today, even though we still look at those factors, I think people have started to value flexibility, work-life balance, and opportunities for personal growth just as well. In that sense, the definition has become more individual and less rigid--less about financial success only."

10. In your opinion, what is more important: job satisfaction or a high salary?
Sample response: "This may be a difficult choice, and I think it depends on where a person is in life. If one is just  starting out and badly needs financial stability and independence, then the higher salary may be more important. Eventually, as people get older and presumably more financially secure, I think the priority would naturally shift more towards job satisfaction and finding fulfillment in one's career."

11. How do societal norms and expectations influence our views on success?
Sample response: "Society often sets standards, like owning a house, having a stable job, or starting a family by a certain age. These expectations can pressure people to pursue goals that may not actually align with their personal definition of success."

12. What challenges do people face in balancing personal and career success?
​Sample response: "Perhaps the biggest challenge is time. Many careers demand long hours, which can strain family relationships or limit personal growth. Another challenge is guilt--people often feel guilty prioritizing one over the other, and this is especially true for those who have children. I've been seeing articles from executives and entrepreneurs saying that the idea of having work-life balance is a myth, and I kind of believe them. In a sense, you can't have your cake and eat it, too."

13. How do you think technology has influenced career success in recent years?
Sample response: "Technology has opened up countless opportunities—remote work, online businesses, and global networking are all possible now. At the same time, it creates competition on a global scale, which means people need to continuously upgrade their skills, or their products, to stay relevant."

14. Is it possible to be successful in both personal and professional life simultaneously? How?
Sample response: “This is something many working parents struggle with. I think it’s possible, but it requires good organizational skills and conscious choices. For instance, choosing a flexible job can make it easier to spend time with family while still advancing professionally. If that’s not an option, then being super intentional about how you use free time is essential—you have to deliberately divide your time between family, hobbies, or personal growth. You may especially have to avoid wasting time on distractions such as endless scrolling on social media. It’s not easy, but with strong time management, I believe people can succeed in both areas.”

​At the end of the day, success isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Some people measure it through career achievements, while others value personal happiness or strong relationships more highly. For the IELTS Speaking Part 3, what matters is being able to explain your ideas clearly, supporting them with reasons or examples, and showing that you can think critically about different perspectives. By practicing questions on personal and career success, you’ll not only be preparing for the test—you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of what success means to you.