By Dorcas Karuana,
In job interviews one of the questions you are likely to encounter is “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Interviewers ask this question in order to understand more about your career goals and how this position would fit into your grand plan. They care about your career goals because they want to hire someone who is motivated, proactive, and likely to stick around and work hard if hired.
Apparently many people really struggle with this question, stumble on it and then never get called back for a second interview. Many times candidates end up revealing way too much information which scares the employer away. What if they can’t deliver? What if you are disappointed? What if what you mentioned had nothing to do with the job of today?
They may think that this is just a stepping stone for you (and it may very well be), but that is something they do NOT need to know.
Usually take it as the interviewer is looking for two things:
1. Do you have ambition and some plans for getting there? – showing absolutely no ambition or passion for some future goal worries interviewers that a candidate won’t have much ambition for the current work, either.
2. What is your ambition and does it fit with the company? - Employers do not want to learn that an abrupt career change is ahead. They want the new hire to grow within the company.
These types of questions have to be answered in a very generic manner, with focus always going back to the “job of today” – the job for which you are currently interviewing.
When crafting your answer to this question, keep in mind that:
1. Keep your answer fairly general, especially if you don’t know a lot about the typical career path at the company. Make your answer truthful, but broad enough that it doesn’t raise doubts about whether you would be a good fit for this position at this organization.
2. Stress your interest in a long-term career at the company. Your interviewer wants to know that you’re ready to settle in and grow with the firm. The truth is that anything can happen: the company can go out of business, they could lay you off, or you could be lured away for a better opportunity. However, show an honest intention to stay long enough to be a good investment since the company invests considerable time, energy, and money in hiring and training someone for this job.
3. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job as an exciting next step for you. Most importantly, make it clear that you are motivated to take on this opportunity right now.
Sample answers To “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
1. “My goal right now is to find a position at a company where I can grow and take on new challenges over time. Ultimately, I’d like to assume more management responsibilities and get involved in product strategy. But most importantly, I want to work for an organization where I can build a career.”
This answer offers some insight into the candidate’s goals and interests (becoming a manager, being involved in product strategy) so it’s not too generic. This response also strongly expresses a desire for a long-term career with the company.
2. “I am driven to be the best at what I do and I want to work somewhere where I’ll have opportunities to develop my skills, take on interesting projects, and work with people I can really learn from. Some of the most innovative thinkers in the industry work here and that’s a big reason why I would love to build a career here.”
Here, the candidate is emphasizing her focus on learning, performance, and achievement. She is also complimenting the company and its reputation for hiring quality people (including the interviewer, perhaps?). The reference to “building a career here” indicates an interest in sticking around and contributing.
Here is link to how to answer, “What are your Strengths?” job interview question.
Dorcas is a Human resource Consultant at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: dorcas@corporatestaffing.co.ke. Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke
In job interviews one of the questions you are likely to encounter is “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Interviewers ask this question in order to understand more about your career goals and how this position would fit into your grand plan. They care about your career goals because they want to hire someone who is motivated, proactive, and likely to stick around and work hard if hired.
Apparently many people really struggle with this question, stumble on it and then never get called back for a second interview. Many times candidates end up revealing way too much information which scares the employer away. What if they can’t deliver? What if you are disappointed? What if what you mentioned had nothing to do with the job of today?
They may think that this is just a stepping stone for you (and it may very well be), but that is something they do NOT need to know.
Usually take it as the interviewer is looking for two things:
1. Do you have ambition and some plans for getting there? – showing absolutely no ambition or passion for some future goal worries interviewers that a candidate won’t have much ambition for the current work, either.
2. What is your ambition and does it fit with the company? - Employers do not want to learn that an abrupt career change is ahead. They want the new hire to grow within the company.
These types of questions have to be answered in a very generic manner, with focus always going back to the “job of today” – the job for which you are currently interviewing.
When crafting your answer to this question, keep in mind that:
1. Keep your answer fairly general, especially if you don’t know a lot about the typical career path at the company. Make your answer truthful, but broad enough that it doesn’t raise doubts about whether you would be a good fit for this position at this organization.
2. Stress your interest in a long-term career at the company. Your interviewer wants to know that you’re ready to settle in and grow with the firm. The truth is that anything can happen: the company can go out of business, they could lay you off, or you could be lured away for a better opportunity. However, show an honest intention to stay long enough to be a good investment since the company invests considerable time, energy, and money in hiring and training someone for this job.
3. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job as an exciting next step for you. Most importantly, make it clear that you are motivated to take on this opportunity right now.
Sample answers To “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
1. “My goal right now is to find a position at a company where I can grow and take on new challenges over time. Ultimately, I’d like to assume more management responsibilities and get involved in product strategy. But most importantly, I want to work for an organization where I can build a career.”
This answer offers some insight into the candidate’s goals and interests (becoming a manager, being involved in product strategy) so it’s not too generic. This response also strongly expresses a desire for a long-term career with the company.
2. “I am driven to be the best at what I do and I want to work somewhere where I’ll have opportunities to develop my skills, take on interesting projects, and work with people I can really learn from. Some of the most innovative thinkers in the industry work here and that’s a big reason why I would love to build a career here.”
Here, the candidate is emphasizing her focus on learning, performance, and achievement. She is also complimenting the company and its reputation for hiring quality people (including the interviewer, perhaps?). The reference to “building a career here” indicates an interest in sticking around and contributing.
Here is link to how to answer, “What are your Strengths?” job interview question.
Dorcas is a Human resource Consultant at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: dorcas@corporatestaffing.co.ke. Website: www.corporatestaffing.co.ke
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