So, Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? 4 Guiding Points to Help You Tackle This Question

So, Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? 4 Guiding Points to Help You Tackle This Question

By: Samantha Fang ’23

 

Woman sketching a business plan on a placard at a creative office

“So, where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

 

While this is one of the most common interview questions used by hiring managers, it can also be one of the most challenging ones to tackle. Maybe you have not thought too far in terms of long-term goals. Or maybe the immediate answer that comes to mind might not be the most appropriate one to give your interviewer, such as seeing yourself pursuing a better opportunity at another company. Below are 4 guiding points to help you effectively answer this question and understand how to best present your future goals!

  1. Think about how this position aligns with your career goals overall. 
Beginning startup to success concept and challenge investment idea

 

Employers want to understand what you would like to achieve and hire someone who is proactive, motivated and career-driven. Hence, it is important to understand how your current experiences will help propel future goals. How will the opportunity at this particular company help you achieve your longer-term goals? In other words, how will this position fit into your career trajectory? Be sure to discuss all goals you have within the context of the company and the position you are applying for.

 

 2. Where do you see yourself in terms of professional growth?

It is completely normal if your future careerpath is still uncertain. Even if you don’t  know exactly what you want to do or where you want to be, it is critical that you make it clear how this experience will help you grow or help you understand where your interests lie. Make an effort to be focused and to have some sort of plan even if this particular position is in an industry you are exploring amongst many others! It may be helpful to discuss some transferable skills here as well. This makes it easier for employers to understand how this particular opportunity fits into your future plans. Think about what exactly you would like to achieve at this company. Do you want to take the lead on more projects? Or maybe you hope to take on more responsibilities related to a certain topic or industry!

 

3. Don’t be too specific! It can be a red flag.

exclamation sign isolated on white

It is definitely okay if you have super specific goals for yourself, whether that be owning a luxury car or having a position that pays a 6 figure salary. However, these may be seen as unrealistic given the position you are applying for and make you seem unfit to take on the role! A good strategy is to keep your answer relatively general. This is the safest way to tackle the question, especially if you do not know what a typical employee’s path at the company looks like. 

 

Your answer to this question may also initially be that in five years, you hope to be at another company, pursuing a better opportunity, or even becoming CEO of the company! However, these are not the most appropriate to state in a job interview. The employer wants to know that you are willing to commit to the job and put in the work, not about your plans to take over the company or move on when a better opportunity comes around.

 

4.  Understand your idea of success. 

Female professional giving a high five to her colleague in conference room. Group of colleagues celebrating success in a meeting.

A great way to understand your future goals is to come up with your own definition of success. This could be a good opportunity to describe why this company’s values and mission specifically align with your own!

 

Think about: 

  • What motivates and inspires you? 
  • What is your vision for yourself and for your future employer?
  • What is most important to you in your career? What will make it most fulfilling? 

 

Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students

and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email: Emily.Jimenez@mhc.cuny.edu