Question

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Answer 1

If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you're considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn’t necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It’s OK to say that you’re not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.

Answer 2

Most people don’t have a crystal clear vision of where they’ll be five years from now, but you should at least show employers you’ve given your career some long term thought.

This doesn’t need to be the exact plan you’re going to follow for the rest of your life -- just a peek at your roadmap.

So for instance, do you see yourself becoming an Agile Certified Practitioner in the near future?

Or are you already certified and your future vision relates to managing a larger team and bigger projects?

Whatever your professional goals, share this information with your interviewer to show you’re thinking about both short and long term successes.

And no matter what, you should always have an answer for this last question.