Nailing the Job Interview: "Where Will You Be in Five Years?" - Your Guide on How to Respond
- Author: James Thompson
- Est. Reading Time: 2.5 Min
What are your future aspirations or expected position in five years' time? - "What are your future plans or aspirations for the next five years?"
"Where do you see yourself in five years?" is an classic interview question that stumps many candidates. The question seems harmless, but it trips up job seekers. How much ambition is too much? How much is too little? And how do you avoid disappointing your potential employer while staying genuine?
By preparing well, you can answer this question confidently, and it's also an opportunity for candidates to clarify their aspirations and career goals.
The Myth of Leadership Ambitions
Career consultant Kira Johnson feels that the most mishandled question in job interviews is, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Many applicants misunderstand why the question is asked. "Employers are looking for someone who will enjoy, fit in, and succeed in the job for the long haul," Johnson informed Career Insider. "They don't want to fill the position again in a year and a half, and they don't want to hire someone who's already looking at the next position higher."
Even career consultant Rachel Kim considers it a myth that one must answer with leadership ambitions. After all, only ten to fifteen percent of positions in companies are leadership roles. "The question isn't really about whether everyone wants to go into a leadership role and has therefore given a good answer," Kim remarked to Career Insider. "It's about whether someone has thought about it. Is the person motivated? Do they connect their ideas with the company?"
Since this question is a staple in job interviews, some HR personnel may ask it out of routine and be content with general answers or overused phrases like "I'll grow with the company." However, as a candidate, you should not assume this, as others will want to understand the depth of a candidate's motivation and long-term plans for the position. "Employers want to know what kind of expertise someone wants to build up, if they want project or leadership responsibility, if someone wants to specialize in certain areas or rather become a generalist," Kim added.
Turning the Interview to Your Advantage
Johnson encourages job applicants not to avoid this question but to see it as an opportunity to truly think about their careers, their goals, and what they want to achieve with the position. Additionally, candidates should use the interview to find out if it's possible to implement their ideas in the position.
For instance, in the field of digital marketing, a candidate might say: "I already have a wealth of experience in lead generation, and I certainly want to expand and refine my skills in this area. However, I believe it's essential to explore other fields as well. Is this possible in your department?" Further questions could include: How specialized is the role? Can I work with interdisciplinary teams? Is there an opportunity to collaborate with universities? However, these discussions might be best had with line managers, not HR.
Even those with long-term leadership aspirations can articulate this. It's perfectly normal to want to stay in the same role for two to three years before moving up. "I aim to master the depth of the junior role in two years and then progress to a senior role with more leadership and budget responsibility," one could say. After that, I'd like to work towards a management position."
Adding a personal touch can be beneficial. For example: In five years, I want to feel like I've found my place, be a member of your team, and look forward to coming to work every day."
To avoid sounding arrogant or too vague, it's best to avoid generic responses such as "I'd like to be sitting in your chair" or unspecific answers like "I've never thought about that." Candidates who are unsure can start with their current position and say something like: "As of now, I'm aiming for a specialist career, which for me means A, B, C. I'm already very good in this area, but there's a new specialization I'd like to learn more about." Honesty is always the best policy, as lying usually leads to uncertainty.
References
- Johnson, K. (2022). "Why do employers ask, 'Where do you see yourself in five years?' and how to answer truthfully" [Online article]. Career Insider. Retrieved from: https://www.careerinsider.com/q/why-do-employers-ask-about-career-aspirations/
- Kim, R. (2022). "Myths About Ambition in the Workplace" [Online article]. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelkim/2014/11/24/myths-about-ambition-in-the-workplace/
- Job Interview Preparation
- Career Advice
- Leadership and Career Advancement
Incorporating guidance from career experts, this guide provides tips on how to answer the job interview question "Where do you see yourself in five years?" by aligning your aspirations with the company's goals, addressing common misconceptions, and emphasizing your adaptability. By offering a vision that reflects both your ambitions and the value you would bring to the organization, you can make a lasting impression and secure the job.
- Among the common interview questions, the inquiry about one's career aspirations in five years is a crucial one, as it allows candidates to clarify their goals and demonstrates their connection to the company, a point emphasized by career consultant Kira Johnson during her interview with Career Insider.
- Vocational training can play a significant role in one's response to the interview question about future aspirations. For instance, a digital marketing candidate might discuss their desire to refine their skills in lead generation, while expressing a need to explore other fields, as an effective approach to this question, according to career consultant Rachel Kim.
- it is essential to avoid sounding arrogant during an interview and to provide answers that are specific and well-thought-out. Rather than focusing on an upward trajectory every few years, a candidate might communicate their long-term plans for the position, such as mastering the depth of their junior role and progressing to a senior role with more leadership responsibilities, while maintaining a personal touch, as suggested in the guide on job interview preparation.
