Till now, there might be no interview question as mind-numbing or daunting. No stresses, although hiring managers aren't worried about your plans. When posing this question "Where do you see yourself in 5 years", a questioner isn't anticipating that you should know 100 percent where you see yourself in the future. However, they would like to know if you have goals, ambitions, objectives, focus, and drive. They mainly want to know you've at least considered your future and what you'd prefer to achieve. Even if you don't have the idea where you see yourself in five years, there's a correct method to respond to this question during a meeting.

For what reason do employers' ask "where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

It's usually clear that answering this question can be dubious – to work out the best answer; it's imperative to look at why the hiring or recruiting staff decides to ask it?

To check whether your objectives and goals line up with theirs

When recruiters or employers ask you what you'll be doing in 5 years, they don't anticipate that you should know precisely where you'll be.

Instead, what they're hoping to hear is that you have a long term plan and that this specific job (and their organization) fits into your 5-year plan.

From your answer, the hiring manager/recruiters will have the option to evaluate whether your professional objectives line up with where they see you advancing in the job and affirm to them that you are both on the same wavelength.

To truly impress them while responding to this interview question, you can drop in certain things you've researched about the organization, and disclose to the employers how these align with your career objectives.

To see whether you are really on the job

By asking this common interview question, managers need to know that you are staying for the long term duration. They need to perceive how this job fits into your future plan, so you have to ensure you promise them that you're not going to leave when you find a superior offer.

If possible, it's an excellent idea to try to communicate that in 5 years' time you would hope to be at this organization (probable at a senior post) to show that you are genuinely committed to the job and the progression that it will offer.

To check whether you are goal-oriented

Your answer to what you'll be doing in 5 years will be indicative of your career ambition, and the recruiter would like to know that you have the desire and the drive to advance. People who record their objectives and goals are 33% likely to accomplish them.

While you don't should be explicit about the position you're after to. Merely saying that you would be keen on being in an administrative place in 5 years; or that you'd prefer to provoke yourself by moving to a different office, will show to the hiring manager that you have huge yearnings and the drive to develop in your professional career.

Let's look at some of the examples to understand the depth of this question.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years example 1:-

In 5 years, I would like to have proven to management that I have the drive and determination to significantly help the business grow by making some really positive steps forward while building strong relationships with clients and colleagues along the way. I would be delighted if the opportunity of further progression arose, but to reach this point, I understand that I would need to fulfill this position first successfully."

Where do you see yourself in 5 years Example 2:-

My career plan for the next five years is to push myself to excel in every challenge I am faced with and take on more and more responsibility. I saw on your website you have a mentoring scheme which I think is a great idea for new employees starting the company and something that I would be keen to get involved in. If the opportunity arose, I would, of course, be interested in further job progression, maybe even leading a small team, but I understand that any extra responsibility comes with time once I have proven myself and helped the company to grow."

Where do you see yourself in 5 years example 3:-

"I'm a very ambitious individual, and I would say I am the type of person just to get stuff done! 5 years down the line I will have achieved goals for the company as well as personal goals for myself. I would welcome the opportunity for advancement, perhaps to a supervisor or managerial position, where I can continue to grow with the company, influencing, and supporting other employees in their career paths."

What to avoid:

1. Being unrealistic

While answering this common interview question, it's critical to remain under the check. Saying you wish to be a CEO in 5 years will be a significant high alert to any employer.

In addition to the fact that this is probably going to make you sound boastful, but at the same time it's, let's be honest, an unrealistic expectation. It may demonstrate to the recruiters that you won't be completely dedicated to this job position.

2. Underselling yourself

Similarly, you should be careful not to undersell yourself while clarifying your 5 years' objectives and goals.

Saying that you'd, in any case, prefer to be in this role in 5 years' time is a major no-no. In essence, you want the hiring manager to know that you have ambition, and are hoping to progress at their organization rather than remaining in the same position.

3. Saying you don't have a clue of this answer

Lastly, abstain from saying that you don't have the idea where you see yourself in 5 years' time! By asking this common fundamental interview question,  the hiring manager wants to know that you have bright career objectives. And that you are committed to the opportunity, saying that you don't know probably going to make you sound uninterested.

Nobody can predict exactly what they'll be doing in 5 years' time. However, to abstain from falling into a trap during your job interview, make a point to prepare your best answer to this deep-rooted interview question.

Bottom Line

By concentrating on your professional and personal values, you will have the option to give a believable response that will give the questioner a positive impression of your qualities, attitude, constancy, and potential for progress.