You can barely remember what you had for lunch yesterday; how can an interviewer expect you to know what will happen five years from now?

If you've ever caught a lump in your throat when a hiring manager throws out the 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?' question, you're not alone. Even if you're the type of person who has vision boards and detailed goals written in a journal somewhere, the best-laid plans can go awry. Not only that, what if your answer doesn't fit in with what the interviewer wants to hear? After all, you're no mind reader. 

All you need is the right approach to answer, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Here, you'll find some tips and examples that will help you understand how to craft a great response. 

What's the point of asking, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Do employers really care where you'll be in 5 years? The short answer is yes, but not for the reasons you may think. When they ask, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” they don't want a detailed roadmap of your future. Instead, they're trying to find out things like:

  • Whether you have any ambitions

  • If you'll be committed to the company

  • If your future goals align with the company's vision

You can rest easy knowing that the hiring manager doesn't expect you to have a crystal ball. Rather, they're interested in your overall mindset and how you envision things going. One thing to remember is that companies spend a great deal of resources – time and money – onboarding new candidates. They're not looking for someone who is only interested in a short-term paycheck but someone who plans to grow with them.  

How to avoid tripping up on “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Most advice starts by teaching you what to say in response to “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Let's get real, though. The thing that can kill an interview is saying the wrong thing. So, since knowing what not to say is just as important as knowing what to say, let's talk about some common mistakes people make when answering this particular interview question. 

1. “I don't know”

At no time during your interview should the words “I don't know” or “I haven't really thought about it” come out of your mouth. Being vague doesn't allow you to skip over this question. All it does is show the hiring manager that you're unprepared or lack direction. Even if you're unsure, it's important to give a thoughtful answer that lets them know you've put some thought into the future – even if it's broad strokes.

2. “I want to be in charge”

There is absolutely nothing wrong with aspiring to a leadership role, and employers appreciate ambition. However, it can come across as unrealistic and implies you see the role you're applying for as a stepping stone. Remember, you're trying to prove why you're the best candidate for the position you're applying for, so your answer should align with the opportunities in that particular role. 

3. “I'm excited to learn everything I can to get ahead in this industry”

While this may seem like a great response – employers do appreciate candidates who are eager to learn, it can also make the role sound like just a stepping stone. While passion for learning is important, your answer should also show that you're committed to growing within the company, not just using the position as a springboard for something else. Make sure to align your goals with both the role and the company's vision.

4. “I want to visit all 50 US states in my RV”

Personal goals and hobbies are important, but they have no place in a professional interview. What you have to offer the role and company should be what you shine a spotlight on. You can use a story about RVing if you see the hiring manager has an interest in this type of activity, but it should only be used as an ice-breaker. Avoid using personal anecdotes or goals as actual responses to interview questions. Instead, stick to career-related goals to reinforce that you have what it takes to succeed in the position being offered. 

How to nail your answer and impress the interviewer

So, how do you answer, “'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” without sounding too vague or like the job is a stepping stone? You have to find a balance between direction and flexibility. It's less about predicting the future and more about showing that you've thought ahead in a way that fits within the company's goals. 

You can use this formula for putting together your response:

  • Start with your passion. When you discuss career-related passions about the work you'll be doing, you set a positive tone and prove you're in it for more than just a paycheck. For example, you could talk about how you love to solve problems or that you're driven by creating innovative solutions that improve processes. Your passion could be that you thrive in diverse environments or love working in fast-paced jobs that keep you challenged. Whatever it is, the key is to highlight what excites you about your work.

  • Define how work fulfills your passion. Here's where you'll do a bit of research. Dissect the job description and look the company up on the web to find out exactly what they need in a new hire and what projects they're working on. Connect your passion with how this role allows you to engage in whatever you learn about the job and company. For example, if your passion is solving problems, you could mention how that will be a great fit for some issue you discovered they're having. 

  • Translate your passion into ambition. Since the hiring manager wants to find someone willing to grow with the company and team, share how your passion will allow you to contribute to their goals while still developing your own skills. This will show the interviewer that you're not only focused on the present but also thinking about the future.

Using this formula allows you to employ a bit of strategy in answering, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” It's also not a rigid, set-in-stone type answer that locks you into a specific career path, but it shows that you've thought about your future in a way that's flexible and smart, i.e., open to changing business and professional conditions. 

PRO TIP: You can turn the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” question back on the interviewer. Try asking, “Where do you see the person you hire for this role in 5 years?” It's a great way to judge whether there's potential room for growth or if you're applying for a dead-end job. 

Bringing it to life: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” best answers

Let's see the formula in action. Obviously, the way you answer “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” depends on the role you're applying for and your career goals, but the core approach stays the same. 

1. For an entry-level marketing position

I am passionate about putting creativity together with an uncanny ability to solve problems. You're looking for someone who can develop new marketing strategies that connect with audiences in unique ways. As I grow in the role and learn the ins and outs of our client's wants and needs, I would like to hone my skills to take on bigger projects that contribute to the team's success and the company's long-term goals.

2. For a mid-level software engineer role

For the last five years, I've built a reputation as someone great at creating efficient, scalable solutions to complex problems. The job description indicated that you need someone who can design and implement software systems to improve performance and drive innovation. While I know the position will already have me mentoring a few junior engineers, I see myself deepening my expertise in leading larger projects and getting to a place where I can guide the careers of larger teams. At the end of the day, it's all about helping the company achieve the technology-driven objectives you have put into place. 

3. For someone changing careers

I'm passionate about learning new skills and applying my background in [previous industry] to make a meaningful impact in this field. I know being adaptable and having a fresh perspective will allow me to quickly adjust to the demands of this position. Then, as I complete the transition into this new career, I'm eager to build on my transferable skills so that I can help the team grow – even if that means taking on stretch assignments or stepping outside the confines of my job duties to help the team succeed.

4. For a senior-level leadership role

As my career has progressed, I've discovered that my passion lies in building high-performing teams and creating strategies that drive growth. Not only have the strategies I built at my last position resulted in multimillion-dollar revenues, but I was consistently able to guide members of my team to promotions and higher positions. You need a leader who can align team efforts with company objectives. Over the next five years, I will focus on leading initiatives that deliver results, support the team's development, and contribute to the company's overall success.

Did you notice that not a single one of these sample responses to “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” actually answers the question? The point isn't to give an exact accounting of the title you think you'll have or where you'll be in your career. As long as you show that you are willing to grow with the company, have ambition, and are flexible, you'll have a winning answer – without locking yourself into a rigid plan. 

Ace the 5 years question

Since you're not an oracle, no one expects you to predict the future. That's not what the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” question is about. Hiring managers simply want to ascertain that you've put some thought into what you'll be doing at their company. If you can show them that you're going to be with them for some time and have some ideas on how to succeed in the role, then you'll win the day!

Of course, being able to answer, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” is only one part of the interview-preparation puzzle. If you want to be fully prepared, our expert interview coaches can help give you the tools and confidence you need to handle any question that comes your way!

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