In an interview, you might be asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” This is a question about your future plans or goals. This type of question is typically asked by employers to gain insight into how well this job fits with your overall career goals.
You may or may not have a clear vision of where you want to be in five years. In either case, there are a few guidelines you can follow to help you answer where you see yourself in five years in a way that communicates your enthusiasm for the job and impresses your interviewer.
Preparing for the ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ interview question
Most professionals will be asked in an interview, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” at least once in their careers. Employers frequently ask this question to gain a better understanding of your long-term goals and how they relate to the position you’re applying for. While you may not know where you want to be in a few years, being prepared to answer this question will set you up for success and contribute to an overall productive interview.
We’ll look at why employers ask ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years?’, what to keep in mind when answering this question, and several examples to help you prepare for your next interview.
Why do employers ask ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’
When an interviewer asks you about your professional goals for the next five years, they are trying to learn a few things. They frequently want to know the following:
If you plan to stay with the company for at least five years
The length of time an employee typically stays in a position varies depending on the job you’re applying for. The longer an employee stays in a position, the less turnover and turnover-related costs the company has to deal with. So, if you don’t see yourself in that position or with that company for the next few years, this is important information for an employer to know before hiring you.
If your goals align with what the company is able to offer
You’ll most likely have a few specific goals in mind for how you want to advance in the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level position but want to work your way up to a management position within the next five years, the interviewer can tell you if that’s a possibility at that company. Furthermore, if you begin in one position with the intention of transferring to a completely different position in a different department or field, you’ll want to know if that is an option with that particular employer.
Both of these factors assist employers in determining whether an employee is a long-term fit for the company. The information provided by the employer based on these factors will also assist you in determining whether or not that company is a good fit for your professional goals.
How to answer ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ in an interview
It’s best to prepare for interview questions like ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ before the interview. This ensures that you provide well-thought-out responses and successfully convey you’re trying to say to the hiring manager. You can prepare for and answer this interview question by doing the following:
1.Get clear about your career goals
Spend some time thinking about your career goals for the next five years. Do you want to learn new skills? Do you want to work your way up to a managerial position? Do you want to work on specific projects? Are you looking for a job in a specific industry? You could also answer this question by considering what you want to see on your resume in five years. Do you want to obtain specific certificates or hold a specific job title? Make a list of these goals.
2.Find connections between the job description and your goals
To help you link your goals to the job you’re applying for, read the job description and see if there are any traits or skills you already have as well as those you want to gain more experience in. In the interview, you will be able to relate your goals to the position you are applying for.
3.Ask whether the company can help you achieve your career goals
It’s essential to be honest about whether the company you’re applying with can help you achieve your career objectives over the next five years. If it cannot, you should reconsider the position or inform the employer right away that you may not be able to stay with the company for at least five years.
Read also: How To Answer “What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?”
Typical Mistakes Candidates Make When Answering This Question
1.Trying to Be Humorous
Some employers may appreciate humour, but many will not. The best option is to avoid it entirely. Humorous responses run the risk of making you appear insincere or as if you are avoiding the question.
2.Being Too Honest if You Don’t Know Where Your Career Is Going Yet
Vague answers are acceptable. Your interviewer, on the other hand, wants to know if you’re serious about the job. If you tell the interviewer that you will not be staying in the position, it is unlikely that they will want to invest in hiring you.
3.Being Too Specific
Unless you are familiar with the specific responsibilities of the job, you may talk yourself out of it.
The interviewer is only interested in determining whether you are a good fit for this specific role. Your response of “In five years, I will be the head of the customer services coordination team” is fine until you realise the company you are applying for does not have a customer services coordination team and the position you are applying for is a data analyst position.
Keep your responses general and always connect the job at hand to the advancement of your career goals.
4.Being Too General
While you should not be extremely specific, you should also avoid providing a non-answer. The example below tells the interviewer nothing about your suitability for the job.
5.Getting Too Personal
While you should not be extremely specific, you should also avoid providing a non-answer. The example below tells the interviewer nothing about your suitability for the job.
How to Answer ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ Examples
The following are some example answers to the interview question “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Example 1:
‘My goal in five years is to successfully obtain two certificates related to my position.’ Before this interview, I reviewed your website and noticed that you provide your employees with educational advancement opportunities, such as pursuing certifications to advance their careers. ‘I truly believe that by utilizing the resources your company provides its employees, I will be able to pursue my career goals and eventually move into a management position within your organization over the next few years.’
Example 2:
‘Over the next five years, my ultimate goal is to master my position and advance into a managerial role within my department.’ I was drawn to the personalized training approach outlined on your company’s website, and I am confident that this approach to training will allow me to learn new skills and grow in this position. Over the next five years, I envision myself taking on new and exciting projects within your company that will prepare me for a management position within the organization.’
Example 3:
‘Some of the goals I’ve set for myself over the next few years include leading a writing team and learning new project management skills within my position.’ I’m excited about the opportunities this job will provide me because I believe they will support my long-term career goals and allow me to grow within your company while also giving back by utilizing the skills I’ll gain.’
The bottom line
You need to actively decide for yourself how you answer this question “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”. Once you do, you’ll feel more empowered than ever, and your confidence will come through in your interview.
