One of the commonest questions that feature at interviews in India is: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?”.
Now, this can be a rather difficult question to answer. In fact, it can throw you off gear at any interview and worse, cost that dream job you are hoping to get.
Obviously, you might wonder what’s so magical about this figure- five years- that an interviewer should ask such a question?
Therefore, let me brief you a bit about why interviewers ask this question.
Importance of 5 Years
For every employer, a period of five years is very significant. Regardless whether you’re a fresher or experienced jobseeker, employers wish to know your future plans.
Because companies make plans for five or more years. Therefore, they expect you to play a key role to execute their plan alongside other employees.
An employer also has to invest on your training, regardless of whether you’re fresher or have experience. Therefore, if you quit the job before five years, the employer stands to lose their investment on training you to fit into the organization.
Furthermore, employers ask “Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?” to learn about your own personal goals. These cover personal, career and financial goals.
Goal setting is a clear indicator of creating a roadmap for your life. It indicates you’re responsible, ambitious and willing to achieve certain goals.
These are some reasons why an interviewer asks questions about your personal vision for the next five years.
Therefore, it merits a good response from every jobseeker. There’re several ways you can respond. In this article, I will list some samples for your reference.
Answering Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years
There’re several ways you can respond to this question. It depends upon whether you’re a fresher or experienced jobseeker. And the size of the company, it's a business area, and pay scales, among others.
Here’re five amazing answers you can give for “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”.
The Ambitious Jobseeker’s Response
Thanks for your question. Personally, I expect my career graph to climb upwards from the moment I join an organization during the next five years.
That’s because I’m ready to give what it takes for my career growth and life to achieve the results that I want. Therefore, I’m looking at working for an organization that provides ample growth opportunities based upon performance.
Since time is the most valuable resource, I intend to utilize it fully to achieve the best results for my career, life and the organization where I work. Therefore, I see myself somewhere at a higher or senior position after the next five years.
Fresher’s Response
Thanks for your question. As a fresher, I definitely have several objectives for the next five years. The first would be to gather enough experience and expertise in my field.
Therefore, I will be exerting extra efforts to achieve these goals during the next five years. The second goal is to ensure I have adequate savings to start buying own house for future.
During the internship, I’ve acquired lots of skills. I’m confident these skills and experience would benefit any employer. I intend to be an asset to my employer.
Job Switcher’s Response
Thanks for your question. Over the years I’ve gained enough experience and expertise that I intend to use for my career and personal growth. Therefore, I’ve been awaiting an opportunity where I can fulfil my goals for the next five years.
Within five years or so, I see myself well settled at an organization if provided the right opportunities. And I hope to play a major role in providing a better lifestyle for my family during these next five years.
Foreign Job Applicant’s Response
Thanks for your question. Most people want a foreign job hoping to get citizenship of a country or earn more money in terms of foreign exchange.
My goals are a bit different. I wish to learn the systems and techniques used in foreign countries while utilizing those I already have for the organization.
After five years, I wish to see myself and possibly my family well settled in a foreign country while supporting dependents in India.
And this will be possible when I grow with the foreign employer by exceeding any work expectations they have from me. Getting a foreign nationality is secondary to my goals.
Student Jobseeker’s Response
Thanks for your question. As you’ll be aware, I’m studying right now and would graduate with this degree. I’m looking at a long-term career with an employer.
I wish to work as a student so that I learn and have the skills that an organization will require in five years and beyond. The best way to do that is by starting early as a student.
Given an opportunity, I see myself as playing a major role in the growth of the organization and launching a successful, long-term career with the employer.
Part-Time Worker’s Response
Thanks for your question. I’m applying as a part-time worker for two reasons. Firstly, to get a better experience in this field and secondly, for money of course.
However, over the next five years, I hope to utilize this experience for an excellent fulltime job. My expectations from a full-time job after the next five years would be a good position matching my experience and skills.
And an attractive salary that doesn’t force me to work as a part-timer with any organization. After five years I want to be at a position where an organization feels the need for my services fulltime and hires me as their employee.
Closing Thoughts
The question “where do you see yourself in 5 years from now,” can throw you off-guard. Therefore, it’s advisable to prepare well for answering such common questions.
The above examples are simply guidelines. Based upon these, you can create own answers. The best way to respond to this question is by asking yourself where do you see yourself after five years.
Define your career and personal objectives and summarize them. Remember, employers prefer hiring people who know what they want from life and are aware of how to get there. Therefore, prepare well to answer this question.
