How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”
A lot of job seekers may find it challenging to answer the question “Where do you see yourself in five years?” because well, the truth is, it's unlikely that anyone will know exactly where they will be in that time!
Luckily, when interviewers ask this question, they’re not necessarily looking for a specific role you will be in or title you will hold. Instead, they are looking to learn more about your goals and whether or not the role you are interviewing for will help you get closer to those goals.
With this in mind, use the four tips below to answer this common question during your next interview.
Break your answer down by years
Perhaps you’re an entry-level candidate still figuring out exactly what it is you want to do with your career. Maybe you’ve been in the same industry your entire life and are considering a change. Or maybe you’re contemplating going back to school and earning a degree. Despite all of these different possibilities job seekers like you can face, a common theme may arise: it’s hard to predict where you will be in five years! Rather than trying to perfectly envision where you will be, consider breaking it down into easier-to-manage chunks.
For example, you may want to share with your interviewer that in one year you will be finished with your schooling, or for the next 2-3 years in your upcoming role you hope to grow your industry-specific skills. Next, explain how you’ll use your newly gained knowledge, skills, or connections to move forward into the next few years, and so on. Breaking your five-year plan down into smaller chunks helps your interviewer (and you!) gain a better understanding of where you want your career to go, and the proper steps needed to get there.
Don’t be too specific
Typically, giving specific responses to interview questions is a good way to make sure you’ve thoroughly covered what is being asked. However, when it comes to discussing your five-year plan, you’ll want to steer away from mentioning too many specifics, such as your future title or exact position.
While it's good to have ambition and know which direction you want to go in, giving an answer that is too specific can mark you as a candidate that isn’t open to change or someone that only sees this job as a stepping stone to the next job you actually want. Instead, try focusing on the skills you want to have in five years or what you hope to have learned or plan to continue to learn during that time.
…Or too vague
On the other hand, while discussing where you see yourself in five years’ time, make sure your answer isn’t too vague that it comes across as insecurity or uncertainty. For example, although “I’m not sure” or “I don’t know” might seem like the most plausible reaction at first, it’s best to respond with a more thought-out, realistic answer in order to show your ambition.
If you’ve given this question some thought prior to your interview and are still finding it difficult to envision where you’re headed, consider doing more research on the company you’re interviewing for or your field. This will give you a better understanding of how this specific job can align with your long-term goals. Or, focus on describing the responsibilities you would like to have in the future – for example, maybe you would like to eventually see yourself in a role where you’re able to mentor others and share your experiences with other colleagues.
Relate your answer to the job
Throughout your interview, with every question that you answer, remember to connect your response to the job or company. That means when it comes to this specific question, stay away from mentioning your interests that don’t necessarily align with this job, like potentially making a career change in the future or working in a different field. Instead, be sure to include how this particular position will help get you to where you want to be – mention how you’re looking forward to the valuable experience you will gain and the skills you will learn. Doing so lets your interviewer know you're not just looking for any job, you’re looking for this job.
Ready to tackle this question on your own? Contact Nexus today for a personalized recruitment experience. Our team is ready to help you find an opportunity that perfectly aligns with your goals.