What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking…

In asking the question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” the hiring manager can learn if your goals line up with the company’s goals and if they can count on you to stick around for a while. In your answer, it’s important to be honest and match your response to the specific job.

• What are your long-term career goals?
• How can you align those goals with the organization’s industry?
• Do your goals show your commitment to work?

Points to Emphasize

Keep these tips in mind to show your goals match the position:

• Show how you’re prepared for the position and how you’ll move forward with the skills you gain.
• Keep your goals open-ended so that they will also contribute to the company.
• Show them you’re a long-term investment by saying how the organization will help you in your goals.
• Be motivational in your response and honest about what you want.

• Consider how you plan to move forward with the experience in this job.
• Does your response show you’re in it for the long-term?
• Is your response motivational yet honest?

Mistakes You Should Avoid

Watch out for these common mistakes in responses:

• Don’t compete against the people already in the room – that’s not your job.
• Don’t take your focus away from the job you want.
• Don’t have a timer on your employment – they’re often not looking for temporary workers.
• Don’t forget that the people in the room can be the ones that help you succeed in your career goals.

• Does your answer include a set timeline of your career goals?
• Does your response keep the focus on the job?
• Consider how the interviewer and others in the room could help you succeed.

Sample Answer

Here’s an example in answering the question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“In five years, I hope to have moved into a role much like this one. I hope to have an impact on the organization’s development. While I don’t know what that will be, I’m up for the challenge.”

Responses like these encourage the interviewer to think about the future of the company with you yet open-ended enough to show your potential for growth.

• Write the first draft of your answer with your tutor.
• Are there any words or phrases that you are not comfortable pronouncing?
• Now rehearse with your tutor until you are comfortable answering the question without the script.