Interview Question Prep - Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

When this questions is asked, I know most people mentally roll their eyes but this question ferrets out a number of qualified candidates because they don’t answer in a way that aligns with the company’s values.

The reasons employers use this question is because they are trying to assess these two things:

1. Commitment: Companies want to to invest in employees who have a vision for their future that includes staying at the company long-term. Training and developing staff is a significant investment, so employers look for hints of your commitment to the job and the industry.

2. Motivation and Ambition: Your answer helps employers understand your drive and ambition. It shows them whether you're someone who sets goals and strives to achieve them, indicating your potential for growth and development within the company.

So, when they ask you this question, how should you frame your answer? It shouldn’t be, “Well, in 5 years, I want to be a DJ who goes on tour world wide with famous artists. This is just a pit stop”. With this answer you will dropped from consideration.

Your answer should alleviate them of the concerns of your commit and motivation. You should be able to speak to them about your long term goals and what you plan to do in this role to address them.

Imagine you’re applying for a junior software engineering role. Structure your response to reflect your understanding of the role’s potential to shape your career, like so:

“In 5 years, I aim to advance to a Staff Software Engineer. I believe this position will lay the foundational skills required for that level of expertise. The company's supportive environment, including mentoring from senior engineers, educational opportunities, and access to essential learning resources, aligns perfectly with my professional development goals. These opportunities make me confident in my ability to progress to a staff engineer role within this framework.”

When responding, emphasize how the company’s offerings can support your growth and make you the ideal candidate. Demonstrate an understanding of what the employer seeks: a candidate with long-term potential, whose professional goals and motivations align with the company's success.

Answering the "5 years" question effectively requires a balance between personal ambition and alignment with the company's trajectory. Your response should convincingly portray you as a valuable, forward-thinking candidate eager to contribute to and grow with the company.