How to Answer 'Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?'

Where do you see yourself in five years? is a question asked in most job interviews. However, it can be challenging to answer, given most people do not know what they will be doing in one year, let alone five.

However, your answer can reveal a lot about your career aspirations and whether you are suited to the role.

So, what are employers looking for, and how do you answer this question?

Why do employers ask this question?

Employers are listening for several key indicators in your answer, including:
• Whether your expectations align with what they can provide: Interviewers want to know that your personal career goals align with the job that is on offer.
• Whether you see a long-term future at the company: Regular turnover of employees is costly for companies. Therefore, interviewers are looking for clues that you plan on staying at the company long-term.
• Whether you have ambition and drive: Employers are looking for people who want to grow and develop their skills.
• What your interests are: Understanding your passions and interests can be helpful for employers to see where you might fit in the team, both short and long-term

A common misconception is that employers are looking for a detailed five-year plan complete with a roadmap and job titles. Instead, they are simply looking for an overview.

How to answer this question

Answering this question requires some preparation. Interviewers want to see that you have thought about your future; your aspirations, career goals and the skills you would like to develop. Some things to consider include:

How your goals fit with the job description

Start by carefully reviewing the job description. Are there any skills or experience listed you would like to gain proficiency in? Consider how you could grow your skills in these areas over the next five years.

The experiences and skills you would like to have on your resume in five years

Consider what your ideal resume in five years’ time looks like. It can be helpful to ask yourself questions like:
• Would you like to attain a specific job title?
• Do you want to be able to display certain technical or soft skills?
• What do you want to have achieved in five years?

Your interests and how these may evolve

Is there a particular area of interest you want to focus on in the role you are interviewing for? Maybe it is one that would take several years to master. Reflecting on this can help you envision where you see yourself in five years.

Mistakes to avoid

When answering this question, avoid the following common interview pitfalls:
• Being vague or unrealistic: If your answer is vague or unrealistic, it will look as though you have not thought about your future. If you are unsure about your future goals, you can outline how you plan to contribute to the company and develop your skills.
• Overcommitting to specific outcomes: If your answer is overly specific, this can suggest inflexibility or a lack of understanding of how careers evolve. Also, you should never say that you see yourself in the interviewer’s role.
• Disregarding the company’s future plans: A common mistake is to simply talk about your personal goals, without considering how the role you are applying for fits into these.

By thoroughly preparing for this question and rehearsing your answer, you give yourself the best chance of making a positive impression on the interviewer.

Preparing for interviews isn’t easy.

Do you want to improve your interview skills? Public Service Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services including interview skills coaching and career development coaching.