Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What's the point?
Interviewers that ask this question receive generic, rehearsed answers at best or embarrassing fluff at worst. Let's face it, the days of lifetime employment at one company are long gone. In today's job market, moving jobs every few years is the norm, especially in digital roles because that's how they get experience, given the landscape in this area changes at the speed of knots! So why are we still fixated on asking candidates this question?
In reality, it doesn't tell you much because anything that comes out of the candidate's mouth now is going to be a lie. They are taking a punt and hoping it's what you want to hear. So unless you just like to see people squirm or even worse, just plucked it off the internet because you have no idea what to do, it's a waste of time and can result in a perfectly great candidate not getting the role! In my working life, I've been asked this question countless times. Here are some of the outcomes:
1) I was young and it was a junior job. I answered with a shy "I'd like to be settled in this role and hopefully moved up a level with more responsibility". I saw her nose wrinkle. I died inside. I got the job. Maybe she felt sorry for me.
2) Later, in a mid level position. I'd aced the interview but for this question, I answered with enthusiasm "In 5 years, having made a real impact, I would like to be leading a team. She said 'oh right'. I didn't get the job. In fact she was threatened by that answer. I may take her job. But in all seriousness, did she really want to be in that same junior manager position in 5 years? Probably not. So again, it was a pointless question.
3) Much later and more wise. This time I challenged because I was annoyed. "Ok, I'm not sure what answer you're hoping for here so I'm going to ask you. Where you want to be in 5 years? And no bullshit about being in this same job or one step above. Tell the truth because if your answer is anything but Sunning myself on a yacht after winning the lottery, family time, passionate hobbies, or my side hustle takes off..., then we both know you'd be lying." She stayed silent for a while, then said "fair enough, point taken". We laughed, ice was broken and I got the job. But I don't recommend trying this one unless you don't mind being turfed out. It's a major risk!
My point is, don't you think it's time to switch things up a bit? This question is not only pointless but it also makes it look like the interviewer hasn't prepped and just surfed the internet looking for questions 2 mins before the interview.
It's time to use more pointed questions to assess problem solving skills, work ethic and personality. The candidate can prep with the STAR method, and in personality questions they
can talk passionately about the things they actually care about! You might be surprised by the insightful answers you receive :).
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well... Just STOP!
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