I’m very relaxed in job interviews and have no problem fielding most questions. But the one that I just can’t get my hands around is the “Where do you see yourself in five years?” type question. Or the “What are your long-term goals?” question.
I’m fifty-seven. I don’t like to think about long-term goals. I can barely come up with what’s for dinner today. In five years, I hope to be doing something that’s actually interesting. These are not answers that interviewers want to hear, of course, but for some reason, I can’t seem to come up with a canned response that sounds like there is some thought behind it.
Well, as a Chefguy, are you, in fact, a chef? Reasonable prospects differ in different fields. What this question is meant to determine is how ambitious you are, and, to a lesser extent, whether you’re in the habit of considering consequences.
I only apply for management positions; if asked where I see myself in 5 years, I reply with an answer that connotes my intention to stay for a while, my desire to be promoted at least once, and my forward-thinkingness in having an answerr ready.
My husband and I were discussing this interview question the other day. We came up with, “Stuck in the same crappy place doing the same crappy stuff for the REST OF MY LIFE” and run out of the interview sobbing.
This question can be one where you really need to tailor your answer to the specific job/ organization. This isn’t a favorite question of mine, but if I did use it, I would be looking to see how well you understood what I was offering in terms of the organization and the specific job. A good answer to consider if you feel sincere about it and can back it up might be “This is definitely the kind of position that I can see myself in for at least 5 years.” You’d need to back that up with why, such as being excited about a new technology, new markets, whatever. You need to watch out for telling someone you want their job in 5 years, obviously. If most managers who are successful move on to regional management within 5 years, say you want to do that (and mean it, of course).
“In 5 years I project myself as having transformed this position into one that carries much more responsibility than it currently does as I gradually take on a broader spectrum of duties and integrate more fully into the organization as a whole. Those duties I would like to be involved in are…”
Don’t say doing your wife, don’t say doing your wife…
I got this one during a med school interview. I wanted to say, “Most likely in court, getting sued… again,” but I held off.
If you’re 57 and you’re looking for a new job, they might be worried that you’ll be thinking of retiring soon, so maybe you should give them an answer to relieve that worry.
I like Munch’s better. Someday I would like to go to an interview and just answer exactly what comes into my head. If I actually got the job, it would likely be a perfect fit, no?
Hey, Chefguy–is there any way you could take your skills, energy, and experience to a job you’d really be excited about? Then maybe coming up with a plausible-sounding answer to the interview question wouldn’t be an issue.
I had this in an interview on Wednesday. My answer:
‘Hopefully here - if somethings enjoyable and going well I stick at it. On the other hand, 5 years ago I was working in a pub back up in Leeds, with not much of a clue i’d be down in London having an interview here at (big arse auction company) to be a graphic designer.’
They seemed to like the answer. The one I hate the most is ‘what’s your greatest weakness’, which they didn’t ask, but they did ask ‘what do you see as your greatest challenge here’. I fucking hate that. You want me to tell you my flaws? Why not concentrate on my strengths?
That’s one that used to bug the hell out of me back when I was working and not a shut-in recluse.
What the hell is wrong with saying that you’re frankly not ambitious and are hoping to be in exactly the same position five, ten, however many years from now?
Seriously, what’s wrong with *not * planning your life five years in advance?
Have done a ton of recruiting - built two management consulting practices. Have also been interviewed a ton - just started a new exec-level job a month ago.
With that as my credentials, here are a few thoughts:
Only say things you believe are true - don’t lie or say things you think they want to hear but you can’t get behind. Sincerity matters.
Identify one or two words or phrases that describe what you like about a good job situation - more responsibility, part of a strong team, working on a specific type of work or project - whatever is true for you.
Consider something like: “In terms of specific roles, I am not sure - I tend to plan no more than 2 - 3 years out because in my experience, things change. Having said that, I bring deep skills to the roles I play, and look for opportunities to <phrase #1 - e.g., increase my level of responsibility in area X> and <phrase #2 - e.g., and focus on this specific business area I am good at> so will be working to move more in that direction.”
