Finding the ideal response to the interview question “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” may be a minefield. It’s perhaps one of the trickiest interview questions (and undoubtedly one of the most cliché). Although we advise being as clear as possible when responding to most interview questions (such as “do you have any questions for me?” and “why should we hire you? “), in this case being more ambiguous about your ambitions is probably the preferable course of action.
Finding the right response to this interview question involves careful thought because you need to avoid sounding implausible while also making sure that you don’t come across as uninterested.
Why do employers ask job candidates where they see themselves in five years?
Answering this interview question might be challenging, therefore in order to come up with the ideal response, it’s crucial to consider the motives of employers.
To see if your goals align with theirs
Employers don’t genuinely expect you to know exactly where you’ll be in five years when they ask what you plan to accomplish. They want to know that you have a long-term strategy and that this particular function (and their company) fits into your five-year plan, not that you have a short-term strategy.
Your response will allow the employer to determine whether your career objectives line up with how they envision you developing in the position and will serve as confirmation that you and they share the same ambitions.
To determine your level of dedication to the position
Employers want to know if you plan on sticking around for the long term, which is why they ask you this typical interview question. They want to know how this position fits into your long-term goals, so you need to reassure them that you won’t quit as soon as a better opportunity arises.
To demonstrate your dedication to the position and the potential for advancement it offers, it’s a wonderful idea to try to say that you hope to still be working for this organization in five years—probably in a more senior post.
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Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ examples?
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Example 1
I hope to have demonstrated to management in five years that I have the desire and commitment to significantly contribute to the expansion of the company by taking some truly encouraging moves ahead and forging strong bonds with clients and coworkers along the way.
If the chance for further advancement presented itself, I would be thrilled to take it, but I realize that in order to get there, I must first effectively complete my current role.
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Example 2
“My five-year career goal involves pushing myself to succeed in every task I meet and assuming increasing levels of responsibility. I noticed that you have a mentor programme on your website, and I would want to participate in it since I think it’s a fantastic concept for new hires who are just joining the firm.
Naturally, if the opportunity arose, I would be interested in further job advancement, perhaps even managing a small team, but I recognize that any additional responsibility comes with time once I have established my abilities and assisted the business is growing.”
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Example 3
I would welcome the chance for promotion, perhaps to a managerial or supervisory role, where I can continue to develop with the business and help and mentor other employees as they pursue their professional goals.
How not to respond to the question, “Where do you see yourself in three years?”
– Being irrational
Keep your cool when responding to this typical graduate interview question. Any employer will take offense if you say you want to be the CEO in five years.
This could come out as egocentric and, let’s face it, is also an unrealistic expectation that might show the employer that you won’t be entirely devoted to this work role.
– Overstating your case
You also need to be careful while describing your five-year ambitions to not undersell yourself.
You want the employer to know that you have ambition and are looking to develop at their company rather than staying in the same job, so saying that you’d still like to be in this capacity in five years is a big no-no.
– Saying you don’t know
Finally, refrain from stating that you are unsure about your future plans for the next five years. The purpose of this interview question is to gauge your commitment to the position and your clarity of professional aspirations; if you respond that you don’t know, you may come across as uninterested.
No one can accurately foresee what they will be doing in five years, but to prevent getting caught in a trap during your interview, be sure to practice your best response to this common question.
