Where Do You See Yourself In 5 years? How To Answer This Question

3 MIN READ        SEP,  2022        Emily Caswell

During your interview, you will be asked numerous questions about your skills and character. One of the most asked questions is “where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?”, with the purpose to understand your career goals and aspirations.

This question can leave you stumbled if you do not plan and prepare before your interview. There are a few steps you can take to make sure you answer this question best to fit the role you are applying for. 

 

1. Job Skills and career aspiration

Read the job description thoroughly to understand the skills needed to succeed in the role. Explain the skillset you currently have, and how you can expand these in 5 years to strengthen your knowledge in the role and industry you are applying for. 


2. Show your interest in the role

It is important to remember they are asking this question to see if you fit the role. If you can respond to this question by showing interest in the job then a hiring manager will see that you are likely to stay in the position. 


3. Avoid specifics 

While keeping in mind the previous tips, remember to avoid specifics, i.e “I want to manage this team” or “I want to be the director within x years”. Try to be vaguer with your response, for example, “In 5 years I want to expand my current knowledge on X and develop new skills within X”

Hiring managers will be looking to see if your goals are achievable within that company, and if so, do they understand the skills and work it will take to achieve this position/goal? If you can answer these questions within your response, then a hiring manager will know they can accommodate your goals in line with the position.  


What are hiring managers looking for in your response?

Whether they ask about your goals for 1,5 or 10 years, you need to make them achievable within the company you are applying for. 

In your response, the hiring manager will be looking to see if you can be accommodated:



Can the team or company provide what you need?

This could be expanding and developing skills needed to progress in the role, or onto a new leadership position. If you wish to manage a team and the company can accommodate, then mention skills a leader will possess, with only key skills across the role to develop which the company can provide. 


Do they wish to stay at the company for 1/5/10 years?

Any hiring manager will account for longevity in candidates, if in your response you mention a goal to be a leader or work in any position other than the one you are applying for, hiring managers will consider you to be a bad investment. Hiring managers are looking for loyal team members who wish to remain at the company for a long time, make sure your response doesn't give them the impression you will leave at the first opportunity. 



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