How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?” In an Interview
By: Sarah Seweryniak
Tags: Work, Self, Careers, Culture, Society

How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?” In an Interview Sarah Seweryniak Follow Dec 16 · 4 min read

Why employers ask this question and how to ace it

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” is a question that requires you to outline your intentions for the future. Interviews can be intimidating. Planning your answer is essential.

It’s important to recognize where you want to be in five years. You can do this based on the job description, your interests, intentions and goals. These thoughts can help develop an answer that demonstrates why you’re the best person for the role.

Why employers ask this question

There are many reasons why an employer will ask you where you’ll see yourself in five years. Employers want to know if you’re expectations and goals will align with what they’re offering.

Employers want to see if you’re interested and satisfied in the position for many years. This will help a company decide whether you’re overqualified. It would spark concern over whether your interest in the position may subside.

Turnover can be high in some businesses, so a company will want to see if you’ll be worth the investment of training. Companies like to hear that you’re interested in staying long-term. This is important because there will not be a need to fill an open position and onboard a new employee.

Employers want to get a sense of your ambition, drive and interest in the role. Employers will see your passions and interests. It allows them to know how you would contribute to the organization in the short-term and long-term.

What NOT to say in an interview

Companies want to make a lengthy commitment to a prospective employee. Do not give the company any sign that you have no intention of staying with the company long-term. Even if you know without a doubt you won’t stay, don’t tell them that.

It’s important not to tell an interviewer that you hope to have their position one day. While they may seem like a “no brainer,” many people don’t realize that. While you’ll want to appear ambitious, you don’t want to appear like you want your bosses’ job.

How to answer, “where you see yourself in five years?”

When you reflect on the question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” think about how you could evolve in this role. Many people don’t stay in the same job for 30 years anymore. So you may not see yourself with the company long-term. That’s okay.

It’s important not to disclose your longevity with the interviewer. But, imagine how you could grow into this career. What career trajectory you could see yourself embarking on with the company.

It’s important to come to the interview prepared to answer this question. Here are some things to consider to help you ace the answer:

Discuss how your career objectives fit with the job description

Familiarize yourself with the job description. Acknowledge the qualities and skills you have and how a company could benefit. Think about how the opportunity could strengthen your skill-set.

Assess what the job requires and how the knowledge gained could benefit your career. Expanding on your expertise could create advancement opportunities, whether it’s within the company or with another organization.

Envision what you’d like to have on your resume in five years

Companies want to hear about how you want to grow with them. Try to imagine what an ideal resume would look like for a candidate with the next five years.

During an interview, discuss job titles that you could grow into. Discuss the possibility of training or certification programs. Companies like to see your interest in training opportunities that you could pursue.

Discussing advancing your knowledge would benefit an organization. They would benefit from a developed skill-set. Thinking about your future could help develop your response to a future employer.

Show your interests and how you might grow in this role

Employers like seeing the willingness to continue to learn. If there is a specific area of interest, talk about it during your interview. This could spark inspiration and may lead to further development.

There is always room for growth. Talk about an area where you feel you may want to focus. An employer may be willing to invest in that area of interest to develop an employee who wants to be an expert.

Understanding tasks, skills and subject matter associated with the position will help you develop ideas for the future.