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Where do you wanna be in 5 years?

By: Qwaider

On:Thursday, July 19, 2007 10:33:45 AM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (3612) times

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Rated 4.6/5 stars (100 votes cast)

If you've been in an interview, chances are, you've been asked this question before. But what do they really mean by it? Are people actually interested in your vision of the future or your 5 year plan? Or are they looking for reassurances that you will be "Stuck" to them for the next 5 years of your life!

Think about that question for a few minutes... 5 years. That's a long time! If you get married, in 5 years you might be able to have 3 or more kids! The eldest could be over 4 years old!

In 5 years, you could finish an Undergraduate and a Masters degree. So it's really a long time.

What people are looking for is your grand-scheme of plan. What do you want to do in your life. How serious and committed are you to THIER plan. Your personal 5 year world-domination plan is really of no interest to them!

The thing most interviewers DO NOT want to hear is something like, "I'm not sure, I'm just taking this position because I need a job". This, "I am here, because I have no alternative" puts interviewers in an awkward position. Does it mean that you will leave them when you find something else!?

Not that you will ball chain yourself to this Job, but ... for your sake, leave that detail out.

If there is one piece of advice I would give to people in Jobs or interviewing or looking forward to the work world ... it is:

To succeed you need to be loyal to your Career and your Job, in that specific order.

And that's your Qwaiderization of the day

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Memories....

#1
laila
Said
On: 7/19/2007 1:52:50 PM

"Or are they looking for restaurants that you will be "Stuck" to them for the next 5 years of your life! "

what is a restaurant that you will be stuck to them? perhaps you mean reassurance? :)

#2
Luai
Said
On: 7/19/2007 6:47:08 PM

I feel this question is best suited for discussion during one's yearly performance review AFTER they get the job and even then just to map out goals for the next year or two.

I always cringe when my fellow interviewers ask this question. Really why waste time on this topic during the interview. Would their answer really cause you to hire/not hire them...for me probably not (unless it was really dumb). I would rather stick to the technical questions to see if they can do the job first, followed by some behavioral interviewing to check their interpersonal skills.

#3
globalorama
Said
On: 7/19/2007 7:00:28 PM

Qwaider,
thanks for bringing this up. it is a very important topic to prepare for at an interview. if one doesn't care, just have a lie ready.

Luai,
yes, I've seen the answer causing an offer no to be extended. 6-7 years ago, two of us were being interviewed simultaneously for a bank position. my answer was to be in management or be working for the corporate offices. the other's answer was that she liked customer service and did not mind if she were still there in 5 years. I got the job.

#4
Maher
Said
On: 7/20/2007 2:51:28 AM

Thanks for talking about a problem that we face it every time we go to an interview. I hate this question. but the question that bothers me most is " Why do you thinkg we should apoint you?? "