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

"Where do you see yourself in five years" is a common job interview question that prospective employees are asked in the hiring process. The employer’s primary goal when asking this question is to gauge whether the job seeker’s long-term goals and aspirations align with those of the company. It can also help rule out short-term job seekers who aren’t worth a company’s investment.

This question gives the job seeker a chance to explain that they are committed to long-term growth at a particular job, rather than seeing the job as a stepping stone. It can also reveal how realistic the job seeker’s goals are.

Whether you’re looking to land an entry-level position or a management job, here are a few things to remember when preparing a response to this question.

1. 1. Clearly outline your career ambitions. The best place to start is with an honest assessment of your long-term professional goals. Remember that your recruiter or hiring manager is not looking for information about your personal goals. Understand what your career plans are, what your dream position is, and the necessary steps to getting there. Relate your career goals to the company’s mission, and tailor your answer to illustrate how you’ll be an asset to the company.
2. 2. Research the company to craft your response. You always want to communicate your career ambitions within the context of the company where you’re interviewing. Study the job title and description, as well as the future plans of the company, and shape your response to align with the company's vision and the role. Try to suggest a career path that you know exists in the company. Discuss unique company training programs that you’d like to complete. Companies are more likely to invest in you as an employee if you can clearly outline how you will serve them.
3. 3. Avoid humor. It may be tempting to respond to this question with a joke, but you want your interviewer to know that you’re taking the question seriously. Interviewers want to hear that you have thought about your long-term goals in relation to their company. Responding with a joke indicates that you may not be committed to this opportunity.
4. 4. Show that you’re a team player. Outline career goals that illustrate how you’ll collaborate with team members to excel at the role. Avoid answers that highlight too much ambition, i.e. “In five years, I see myself in your position,” which may show you as both unrealistic and driven by self-interest. Highlight how you will contribute to their team and pay it forward by mentoring others.
5. 5. Show that you're committed. Plainly let your interviewer know that you have a long-term interest in this job. Potential employers want to know that they’re making a long-term investment in you.
6. 6. Keep your answer open-ended. While it's important to have a clear sense of your career aspirations, you should try to avoid being too specific in your answer. If your goal is to climb to a management position in the company, speak more generally about aspiring to a management role rather than naming the exact position you want.

This is one of the most common job interview questions that you are likely to encounter on your job search, so you’ll want to be prepared. If you’re looking for a new job and want to prepare, here are a few sample answers to help you in crafting your own response to the “five-year plan” question.

1. 1. If you’re interested in growth opportunities: "In five years, I hope to establish myself as a leader at your company. I really value building relationships and believe that great leadership comes from working within a team, which is why I'm excited about the potential this role has to grow."
2. 2. If you’re developing outside skillsets to bring to the job: "I'm currently completing a course in digital marketing, and eventually I hope to be able to bring those additional skill sets to my job. I understand that your company has just launched a new marketing campaign that integrates gaming, and I'd love to eventually bring my new skills to continue helping the company in this direction."
3. 3. If you’re inspired by the company’s mission: "Having worked as a freelancer for the past two years, I'm really looking to find a full-time position where I can establish myself and contribute to the future goals of a company. I saw on your website that you have a ten-year plan for one of your clean energy initiatives, and working on that kind of long-term project is exactly what attracted me to this job offer."

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