Show me a single person who has never dreamed of picking the right numbers, and winning a lottery. Main prize, big payday, ten million at least. Finally a chance do dash the job you’ve hated for so long, to pay your debts, to buy the things you always wanted to own, and to enjoy a dream life–or at least your vision of a dream life…
Just like with so many other things in life, however, the visualization of a dream is typically better than the reality of it. Because man is a creative creature, there is more happiness in giving than in getting, and a life on a deck of a sailing boat, or in a shade of an umbrella on a tropical island with a glass of a fresh orange juice in your hand (or in a hand of beautiful lady), gets boring after a few weeks, or after a few months.
Anyway, it is an interesting interview question, and an interesting topic for an essay at school, because your answer tells a lot about your maturity, attitude to work and life, and also about your motivation and loyalty to the employer. Let’s have a look at some interesting sample answers. Do not forget to read also the notes below the answers to understand how to make the best impression on your interviewers.
7 sample answers to “What would you do if you won a lottery (a million dollars)?” interview question
- I’d probably throw in a big party, a celebration, and maybe go for a six months trip around the world. To reset my batteries, to learn more about other cultures and people, to think about the best use for the money, Once over, however, I’d resume my old walks of life. I see a meaningful purpose in my profession, and I would still continue in the field of social work. Who knows, if I won a lottery, and connected with the right people, perhaps I might invest the money in an interesting project, NGO, something that would have a big impact in our country, or at least in this city. But even if I decided to do so, I would stay involved in social work. Just my position in the process might change…
- I never participate in lotteries, so there is no chance to win one for me. I prefer to rely on my responsibility, motivation and hard work, when trying to achieve something for me and my family. It’s not my cup of coffee to bet on luck, and to dream about millions. Honestly, I do not even support lotteries. It’s just not good for humanity. People should do jobs they enjoy doing. They should see a meaning in their everyday life. If you see such a meaning, and enjoy your roles in life, you won’t participate in lotteries or dream about winning millions of dollars.
- 10 million is a lot of money, and a big responsibility. It may seem like a cliche, but I would likely give it away, to people who need it the most. I might start my own NGO, or donate the money to some existing NGOs. Of course I’d buy a nice house and car and whatever, and maybe spend 1 million for myself. But the rest I will give away, and I definitely won’t quit my job. Spending money can be fun, but it won’t bring you real happiness. Only helping the others, and using your energy to create something valuable, can bring real happiness to life.
- I would definitely start my own business. Maybe a big restaurant with top quality plant based food, with a great vibe and happy staff. I’d love to help people to improve their health by improving their diet. It’s one of the reasons why I chose a career of a dietitian and applied for this job with you. If I had ten millions, however, I would have an opportunity to try and change something to better in my own business. While I do not have the money, I am happy to apply for a job of a dietitian in your organization, trying to help people from my position in your team.
* Do not forget to check also: Great answers to 15 most common interview questions.
- I would buy this amazing company from you. I like it here so much–the quality of the services you provide to your clients, the reputation of the place, the atmosphere in the workplace. It’s just amazing. With my present bank account balance, however, the most I can hope for is to get a job here–and it certainly doesn’t sound like a bad proposition to me… If I won a million, or ten million, I might try to buy the company, or at least become your business partner.
- I’d try to make some impact in the world. Some positive difference. I have not thought about it yet, in which way I could contribute the most. Maybe do something to help stop the global warming, or to stop the deforestation. But I also see things realistically–10 million isn’t really a lot of money when we look at the global business and the money some international corporations make while destroying the planet. Anyway, I am no dreamer and I do not consider myself a Messiah or something similar. I’d try to make some impact, maybe just in one country or even in one community. That’s the most I can hope for from my position, and 10 million would not change much about it.
- I would likely invest the money in real estate and commodities. Just guaranteed and safe investments, at least when you invest for ten years or more. And I will continue in my profession, because that’s what I enjoy doing, and want to do. To be honest, I am happy with my life and with what I have. Winning a lottery will not change much for me–at least that’s what I think. I have never been a slave of money and do not want to become one. Of course it is nice to have something in your bank account, and money give you opportunity to change something to better in your life and in the world. But we should never get obsessed with them or attached to them. In my opinion, someone obsessed with money can never be happy in their life. Regardless of how much they have, or win.
Ensure them that you do not work for money only
Saying that you’d quit your job immediately after winning the lottery is the same like saying that you work only for money. And you should never make such an impression on your interviewers.
Tell them that you see a meaningful purpose in your job or profession, and would stay in the field, regardless of your bank account balance. Of course, you might change your position if you won a million, let alone ten million. Instead of working for a company you might start one, or you might actually work for free in a place of your choice.
But you won’t simply stop working, and enjoy the rest of your life traveling and spending money on expensive and shiny things. At least that’s what you should say in an interview ;). What you would do with the ten million in reality should remain your secret…
* Special Tip: This isn’t the only tricky question you will face while interviewing for any decent job. You will face questions about prioritization, dealing with pressure, dealing with ambiguity, and other tricky scenarios that happen in the workplace. If you want to make sure that you stand out with your answers and outclass your competitors, have a look at our Interview Success Package. Up to 10 premium answers to 31 tricky scenario based questions (+ more) will make your life much easier in the interviews. Thank you for checking it out!
Having a lot of money is not bad–as long as you want to use them to make some positive change in the world
Another option is referring to some positive impact you want to make with your money. Perhaps giving them away to an NGO, or start a non-profit organization yourself, or just contribute here and there, perhaps with your work when you now do not need to care about the bills anymore.
Ensure the interviewers that you are well aware that money doesn’t bring happiness. Using money to help someone, however, or to make some impact in the world, or in a local community, can bring happiness to your life. And that’s exactly what you would try to do with your lottery winnings. An essay offers an opportunity to describe this in detail, picking a particular cause you’d like to support with your money.
* Another tough questions you may face: Why shouldn’t we hire you?
Investing money and saving for worse days is also a wise choice
You do not necessarily have to say that you would give money to charity, in order to make a good impression on the hiring managers. Many of them would not believe you anyway 🙂, unless you have a proven track record of working for charity or contributing money to support some good cause regularly.
You can say that you’d invest your money, in stocks, real estate, commodities, simply in things that will likely grow in value in next decades, and bring you some nice residual income. But you would not quit working and enjoy an early retirement. That’s not your style. You would continue in your field, just you wouldn’t need to get paid for your work anymore. That’s a great feeling and it gives you a lot of freedom in your choices…
Ready to answer the question about winning a lottery? I hope so! Check also 7 sample answers to other tricky interview questions:
- Tell me one thing about yourself you would not want me to know?
- Give an example of an occasion when you used logic to solve a problem.
- What makes you unique?
