Job interview: “where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

This can be a tough question for many, even if they have a well-thought-out 5-year plan in mind. It can be very easy to panic and give a generic, unrealistic response that doesn’t actually shed any light on your suitability for the role or the company.

For instance, interviewing for an entry-level role and telling the interviewer you plan on sitting in their chair or running the company 5 years from now is unrealistic and uninspiring. Instead, use this as an opportunity to show you have done your employer research. Perhaps you could discuss your likely career path in this particular organisation or within the industry in general. You could talk about how this role can help you achieve your career goals etc.

If you’re still not sure where to begin, don’t fret, here’s a “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” example answer:

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” sample answer

“I’m aiming to be a [name senior role that’s a promotion or two above the role you’re interviewing for] five years from now. I believe that getting this job will enable me to improve my skills in [list skills specific to the role] so that, over the next five years, I can progress my career and help contribute to the growth and success of [company/organisation].

“I look forward to taking on more responsibilities within the company and utilising the knowledge and skills I have developed throughout my career to mentor other members of the team in order to aim for more senior leadership roles.”