What's the best answer to the question 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?' in a job interview?

Question

What are employers looking for with this question?

Answer 1

The best question to answer that question is exactly - Where DO you see yourself in five years?

Be honest. If you want to stay in the position you are applying for, explain it but without downplay. "What I am looking forward to right now is finding the right opportunity for me to begin a longstanding career with a company I would be proud to work for."

If you are not wanting to stay in the position you are applying for and are looking for advancement, say so without putting down the position or making them think you won't be staying with their company. " Currently, I am looking for a company that will make full use of my skills and experience in a way that will offer me room to grow within the company"

The key is to be honest. You will not find the perfect job for you if you are not honest from the beginning. And don't settle either. You do yourself and the company a great injustice if it is not the job you really want to do.

Answer 2

I agree with above, thay are expecting a 'i hope i will be sat where you are asking someone esle this question'.

As an employee and more recently an employer, i find most questions used in interviews and on application forms complete and utter rubbish.

They are becoming too formula, everyone has heard most of them before, you rarely find out what the person is really like until you have worked with them for a few months.

I know of a manager called karen who really did talk the talk, she raced through all sorts of interview with ease, a quite intelligent woman but she is just the most apalling person you would ever want to employ or work with.

Why don't we try something new? How about they take you to the pub for a beer or two?

Answer 3

Best answer is to say that is a progression in career that will build upon the experience u'll get from the role u r applying for.
In place u'll be after 5 yrs, should require atleast a few years experience at the place you are going to work (the interviewer shud feel that u'll stay with the firm for a few years and that u r career oriented).
Find out what's the standard career progression of the guys who joined the firm a few years ago. Also mention that u want to build x,y,z skills which will help u in achieving ur 5-yr goal

Answer 4

the best answer is an honest answer. an employer want to know that you'll push your self. so saying things like, " well hopefully I'll be happy working here" don't cut it. if you say " well in 5 years hopefully I'd found a cure for the common cold" then the employer will think that you have ambition, drive and determination
personally i hate asking that question in interviews.
good luck

Answer 5

"Where do you see yourself in five years time?" is a trite question. It comes from the stock of questions that inexperienced interviewers ask, along with "What are your strengths?" "What are your weaknesses?"

If I got these questions I'd just give the respective stock answers "In your job". "I never give up" and the all time favourite ..."I'm something of a perfectionist".

By doing this your interviewer will know nothing more about you, you will then be in control - ask them some intelligent penetrating questions about them, their views of the job, the organsiation and get a NORMAL CONVERSATION going. Cover the issues, but try to knock them off their interviewer's perch and behave as naturally as you can - human to human.

They'll have more resepct for you for doing it and will like you for being someone they felt they really connected with.

Answer 6

I agree with Joey - if you try and say something funny then it may not go down well depending on the interviewer. It would definitely be better to sweet talk them and say something like "In 5 years, I see myself progressing further in the organisation I'm in, hopefully here at 'company's name'. I would like to have become an integral part of the team with increased responsibility and have undertaken more projects to expand my knowledge and skills in the organisation which would provide further development for the future.

Generally they want to know you're not just gonna run off after 6 months of training, that you are ambitious and will be looking for more responsibility!

Good luck!

Answer 7

You can reply:

Happy working for your company but at a higher level of responsibility because I have the motivation to do well in the job and I want to contribute and develop with long term prospect.

It is a good answer to get the job.

Hopefully it will turn out that way.

Good luck

Answer 8

I went for an interview at an ICI Chemical works and was asked this question.

My answer being "In paradise with 72 virgins tickling my bollocks." may have been the reason I was not offered the post.

;-)

Answer 9

Sitting on a beach in the sun with a beautiful tall leggy blond and a large Gin and Tonic tall glass lots of ice.

Answer 10

MOST EMPLOYERS IF NOT COMPANY OWNERS ARE FRIGHTENED OF YOUTH TAKING THEIR JOBS, THEY WILL NOT EMPLOY ANYONE TOO AMBITIOUS IN CASE THEIR JOB GOES IN 5 YEARS TIME TO YOU THATS WHY THEY ASK THATS WHY SO MANY WELL QUALIFIED PEOPLE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR JOBS. AGAIN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING DOWN THE DRAIN BECAUSE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYED PEOPLE ARE TAKING 2ND OR 3RD BEST TO PROTECT THEIR JOBS.