The Right Answer to “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

This question is surprisingly often heard at many interviews regardless of the nature of the job posting. Some interviewers are genuinely inquiring about your plans for the future, and others use this question as a test. Wrong answers to it can really affect your chances of getting a job.

This is why many career coaches and resume writers working for the best resume writing companies like Skillhub.com (you can find the full list at top-resume-reviews.com) emphasize the need to get prepared for the interview. This type of question, as well as many other tricky ones, requires you to develop a certain strategy.

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How to Answer This Question?

Below are a few strategies which you should stick to in regards to questions concerning your future if you plan to ace an interview.

Find the Answer for Yourself

You need to think if you really can envision your future in five years. If you have your short-term and long-term career goals all set, you will not have a problem answering this question.

If you don’t, that might be a problem. You can’t respond with something like “I don’t know” or “I just want your job for now.” A hiring manager should see that you are genuinely interested in career development while maximizing your contribution to the company.

Prove Your Interest in the Job

Even if you are not planning for a five-year tenure, you still need to show your interest in the job to get it. The person interviewing you should feel that you are not job-hopping. After all, they look for a person who’d be a great fit for a team and stay part of it for a long time.

You need to make sure you are looking for something more than “just a job.” If your plan is unclear, it might feel as if you are trying to find a place for a short-time stay. At the same time, you should give a clear idea that this job is a part of the plan, not just a temporary option.

Keep Your Answer General

This question may look like interviewers demanding details from you. Yet, you can hardly benefit from being too descriptive about your plans. Especially when it comes to details related to your timelines and job expectations.

For example, the statement “I want to be a sales director in five years” when you apply for a sales assistant won’t add any value. At the same time, you can say that you are expecting significant professional development and career advancement in the next few years. It sounds better and yet still ambitious enough.

Focus on Your Skills Rather Than Titles

The question may make you feel like you need to talk about your future plan in greater detail. However, you should approach it from a different perspective by simply stating what skills you plan to obtain. For example, a smart answer will look the following way: “I want to get better in sales to be able to grow sales volumes and contribute even more.”

Or you can recourse to your previous experience, highlighting things that you are willing to transfer to the future position. Focus on something that you plan to continue to do.

Build a Bridge Between Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

This question is also a great way to find out if an applicant is consistent in their understanding of their future career. If, for example, there is no connection between the job they are applying for and their long-term career goals, this candidate is likely to be rejected.

At the same time, the candidate whose application to this particular job is part of their long-term planning will definitely land a job. The goal is to find the right balance between realism and a long-term, tactical approach.

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How Not to Answer This Question?

If you didn’t plan the right answer to the question about your future, you need to know what answers should be avoided by all means.

I Don’t Know

The worst answer you can produce is “I don’t know.” This means you don’t have any clear goal for your future. This inability to plan or provide any meaningful direction will not add you any credit.

I Want to Be in a Higher Position Than This One

It feels like there is nothing wrong with this answer. However, it still sounds as if you are unhappy and forced to apply for a lower-level job. You need to create an impression that this role is a part of your plan.

I See Myself in a Different Department

This answer literally means that you try to get into the company at any cost, hoping to be transferred to the department of your choice. Honestly, it doesn’t sound the way interviewers expect it to hear.

I Am Coming for Your Position

Actually, this is nothing but a threat. You immediately intimidate your counterpart by saying that you are going to take their job within five years. Even if they were planning to get a promotion or leave, no one would appreciate this kind of response.

Takeaway

Interview preparation is of vital importance. Your plans for the future five years, career development goals, or other tricky questions may really hinder your chances of getting the job if answered incorrectly. This is why being prepared and knowing how to answer the most popular interview traps is very important.

If you come prepared, you may avoid lots of uneasy situations during the interview. Although a skilled interviewer will notice that you have done your homework, it’s still perceived as an advantage.