Dumb Question: 'Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?'
June 17, 2009 (10:00AM) by Rick Saia, CPRW
 "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Many hiring managers will ask this in a job interview, but the question is annoying and insipid because many of us can't envision our lives any more than five months into the future, let alone five years. After all, life changes, our priorities change, and what makes you tick today could make you sick in a few years.
What the hiring manager really wants to know is what lies behind the question: Could I count on this person to stay with this company long term? For example: You're interviewing for a sales position and reply with: "In five years, I'd like to be teaching math."
Bad answer! You just eliminated yourself from consideration.
Employers would love to keep good employees around for five years—or longer. That saves them the aggravation, time, and cost of having to fill and refill positions and train each new person they hire. At the same time, some job seekers like the stability of staying in one place for several years.
But we don't live in an ideal world where everyone gets to work where they want for as long as they want. Business conditions, companies, and industries change; so do personal career goals and circumstances.
That's why it's important to keep your options open and always be prepared to look for the next job.
The best way to be prepared? Here are three tips:
- Always keep an up-to-date resume. Add a new accomplishment or skill as soon as you achieve it rather than waiting until later, after it escapes your mind.
- Always look at job postings. Even if you want to stay in your current job, you should stay aware of what skills and background employers are seeking in your current and potential future roles.
- Always manage your online presence. Make sure you have an online profile on at least one social networking site and update it as you would your resume. If the site hosts any discussion groups, join some that match your skills and career goals, and take part in discussion threads to boost your credibility.
Have you ever been asked the "five years" question in a job interview? What do you believe is the best way to answer it? Share your thoughts in a comment below.
RELATED LINKS
5 Really Stupid Questions from Interviewers
Interviewing Tips: What Hiring Managers Really Want from You
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I just found out that my past employer of 10 years can say I'm not rehireable. They let me go because I asked a girl if she had a boyfriend. Now 3 years later I find this out. I think this is hurting my job search. Somebody please help.
"Helping out this company any way I can" is among the best responses to this question. Only when I want to throw away the opportunity do I say something different.
really u give a good knowledge about interview questions thanks
I was asked where I saw myself in 10 years. I'm 59 years old and all I could think of was ..... dead!
I don't focus in a five year window. We are living in an inter net working world, and things are changing faster than some of us strike our key board. So, I plan for one year at a time (the coming year). If one thinks five years a head in today's world, whatever he are she thought about doing five years ago will have become obsolete.
I had this question asked of me too. I was interviewing for a teacher's aide position. I told them I wanted to work on my teacher's certification to get it back and to be a regular classroom teacher. I now realize that this is NOT what she wanted to hear. Needless to say I did not get the position.
Thank you for the helps on this web site.
If you really enjoy the type of work that you are applying for, that answer should be easy. You want to grow in that position and into more responsible and respected positions, but still doing the work you care about.
Wow! Thanks for your responses. I appreciate your jumping in on the discussion.
@ Paul - Yours is probably a "safe" response - nothing wrong with it!
@ Prince Gantt - Agree that the world changes much more quickly today. Employers that don't recognize that today ignore it at their peril.
@ Meredith - Sounds like they didn't want to see you advance. Were they "pigeon-holing" you into a teacher's aide position?
@ Joe V - Agree, though people change - and so do companies. I was once a sports reporter and thought I could do that for a long time (I was in my 20s). But despite my love of sports, the excitement wore off.
You raise an excellent issue Rick. When interviewers ask the "5 year question" they are not looking for you to articulate your desired destination 5 years from now. They are seeking a direction you'd like to take your career.
Who can say where they will be in five days, let alone 5 years. Hopefully I'll be alive, healthy, happy and thriving in a career.
When asked for your 5 year plan, respond by describing your desired career direction and why.
I've been asked this same question at just about every job interview that I have been involed in, And my answer is always the same " I see myself becoming the Quality Manger for the company"
five years will be here so quick you will still think that it's 2009...who knows what will happen in five years? So many of us may have our five year plan, but life changes things. Five years ago, my plans were very different because I didn't have kids.
@ Rollin - If that would be a move up or at least a position that you and they can envision you filling in the future, that's probably a safe answer.
@ Arriel - So true! I went from single and unattached to married and then to parenthood in less than four years. Your perspective changes drastically.
It doesn't matter what the interviewee thinks of the question. The importance is answering the question right. A potential employer wants to know what's in your head... what you aspire to become. The best answer to the "5 year" question is a truthful answer. You should answer that you hope to be one of the interviewing companies best employees! They really don't want to know what job you want to hold... just that you will be a loyal employee and continue to work for them... if you get past the 90 day trail period of the job.
Thanks for commenting Beth! Yes, you need to answer the question truthfully - whether you like the question or loathe it.
This is the first time that I have visited this website and found it very interesting and helpful well I just want to say keep rocking guys. ============== Karen Walter
Always base your answer as if this is the be-all and end-all of jobs. This is your chance to shine, but it'll take some research ahead of time.
Even if it's an entry level position, don't tell them you want to climb the corporate ladder. You say your goal is to be the best (i.e. customer service rep) there is while maintaining the company's professionalism and integrity and hoping to learn all about the (ie. service) industry... (you fill in your specifics).
Show enthusiasm and interest that you want to be doing THIS job or a similar job in 5 years.
Do some research ahead of time about the company and use it for this question too. "In five years I want to be working for an organization that is a World-leader in service technology, has been voted as one of the top 100 Employers by Maclain's Magazine, ..."
You get the idea. It's true, the world is ever-changing and who knows where we'll all wind up. No employer is going to hold you to your 5 year plan question, they just want to make sure they're not going through this whole hiring process again in 6 months because you've outgrown the position.
@ Karen -- Thanks!
@ Corinne -- Yes, the main reason they ask this question is to gauge how long you might stay and if your goals mesh with the company's. If they're having a hard time filling the position, it probably won't be any easier when it opens up again. So they'll do what they can to avoid that.
I always like to say "Sometime in the next five years, I'll be gunning for your job!" hahahaha!
@ Jes -- That's a good response if you include a wink and a smile.
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