Where do you see yourself in five years?
It’s one of the most “annoying” yet common questions asked in job interviews — leaving many struggling to find what to say.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: How to answer the dreaded job interview question.
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Now, American careers advisor Erin McGoff has explained the best way to answer the dreaded question.
She says the trick is to keep the answer vague and not to get “specific or too rigid”.
“Employers are not asking ‘Where are you going to be in five years because I’m going to check in on you and if you’re not there I’m going to call you out’,” she explained.
“They’re just asking ‘What are you excited about? What are you working towards? Do you have goals? Does this job fit into the trajectory of your career?’”
In her Instagram video, Erin says you should never respond with: “I don’t know” or “I like to go with the flow and not put myself in a box of limitations”.
Erin also suggests it’s not good to say anything like “ideally (I’d) be working for another company or travelling the world and enjoying life”.
When it comes to answering in the best way possible, Erin says it is important to first acknowledge the question.
She suggests starting your response with: “It’s hard to know what life is going to look like in five years, I mean as we’ve seen, the world can be very unpredictable.
“But while I do like to maintain flexibility, adaptability and an open mind, I do have specific ambitions and goals.
“Five years from now, I’d like to be in a role where I am leading a creative team.
“I’d like to be working on projects that I’m excited about for campaigns that I really believe in.
“Becoming a creative director or having a senior leadership role is definitely a goal that I’m working towards.”
The careers advisor suggests using the following language:
✔️ I’d like to…
✔️ Ideally, I would be…
✔️ My day-to-day would involve…
“Feel free to focus on how you want to feel,” Erin suggested.
“Stress that you value flexibility, but you also, right now, have specific goals you’re working towards.”
She says you can also keep it light and have a “little fun with it”.
“Oh gosh, I don’t even know what I’m having for dinner! Just kidding. Right now, I’m working towards…,” she suggested.
Many people praised Erin’s video and agreed with her as they described the question as “ridiculous”.
“Great answer, thanks,” said one.
“Well, I’ll be five years older, duh,” laughed another.
One suggested: “They just want to hear that you want to still be working for them. I learned that the hard way.”
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