Job Interviews: Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

Step 1: What They Are Really Asking

What the interviewer wants to know is if you have actually given any thought to your future career and if so, is there any obvious conflict between what they can offer or give you, and what you actually want.

Step 2: What They Don't Want To Hear

They won't want to hear a really rigid answer, or any other very specific, very timeframed goals that would just mean that you would be driving the show.

Step 3: What They Do Want To Hear

They want to hear that you have given some thought to your future and there are certain things you are aiming towards. You should aim not to be too rigid or specific as to exactly when that's going to happen and how it's going to happen. The interviewer does, however, want to know that you are really enthusiastic about your profession and that you want to be the best you can be.