essay about yourself 5 years from now

Visualizing My Future: A Reflection on Where I See Myself in Five Years

Investing the time to visualize our future can be a powerful tool to bring us closer to achieving our aspirations. Taking stock of where we are now, and where we want to be in five years, allows us to create a tangible plan with achievable goals and milestones. This self-reflection practice can help identify any potential roadblocks or detours that might be encountered along the way, so that these issues can be addressed before they become hindrances.

According to this, writing an essay on how do you see yourself after college is an essential exercise for college students. It allows you to reflect on your goals, identify the skills and knowledge you need to acquire, develop critical thinking and writing skills, and demonstrate your ambition to potential employers or graduate schools.

By the way, in case you are facing challenges in composing an essay about where do you see yourself in 5 years essay, a professional custom essay writing service can provide you with the assistance you require.

What Do I Envision for Myself Five Years From Now

As I sit down to write this essay, I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. The topic at hand is “Where do I see myself in 5 years?” It’s a question that has been asked of me numerous times, and one that I have often pondered over myself. After careful consideration and introspection, I have come to a few conclusions about where I see myself in the next five years.

In five years, I see myself as a successful professional in my field. I have always been driven to achieve my goals and have worked tirelessly towards that end. Over the next few years, I plan to continue working hard and expanding my knowledge and skills. I believe that with dedication and hard work, I will be able to climb the ladder of success in my chosen field.

Balancing Personal Interests with Professional Goals

In addition to my professional goals, I also see myself as a more well-rounded individual. I plan to continue pursuing my interests outside of college, including traveling, photography, and volunteering. I believe that these activities will not only bring me personal fulfillment but also help me to develop valuable skills that will benefit me in my professional life.

Finding a balance between personal interests and professional goals can be challenging, but it is essential for achieving long-term success and personal fulfillment. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in work and neglect our personal lives, but doing so can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.

For example, travelling can help us develop a global perspective and improve our communication and adaptability skills. Photography can enhance our attention to detail, creativity, and visual storytelling abilities, which can be beneficial in various professional fields. Volunteering can improve our teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which are highly valued by employers.

Prioritizing Personal Relationships

Investing in personal relationships is often overlooked in the pursuit of professional success, but it is just as essential for achieving overall success and personal fulfillment. Building and maintaining strong relationships with family, friends, and colleagues can bring a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and emotional support, which are essential for personal well-being.

Moreover, personal relationships can also have a significant impact on our professional lives. Strong connections with colleagues can foster a positive work environment, increase job satisfaction, and improve teamwork and collaboration. Good relationships with clients and customers can also lead to increased loyalty, repeat business, and referrals.

Embracing Change and Growth

As we travel through life, our aspirations and goals may shift, alter or even transform drastically. It is essential to stay open to new possibilities and adventures as well as being prepared to adjust and develop as we navigate life’s path. In the next five years, I aim to have a clearer idea of my ambitions for the future while also staying alert to changes and growth in myself.

I believe that personal development and ongoing education are pivotal for achieving long-term success and gratification. I intend to dedicate time and energy into my individual and skilled progress, whether it be via taking classes, participating in workshops, or engaging in introspection. By continuously learning and developing, I can master new methods, extend my outlooks as well as enhance my ability to solve issues and make decisions.

So, where do I see myself in five years? I see myself as a successful professional, a well-rounded individual, and a person with strong personal relationships. I also see myself as someone who is open to new experiences and who is committed to continued growth and self-improvement. While the future is uncertain, I am excited to see where my journey takes me over the next five years and beyond.

Tips on Writing an Opinion Essay on “Where I See Myself in Five Years”

Even if students have a clear idea of their dream board five years after college graduation, they may struggle to express these ideas compellingly and coherently. Writing about oneself can be challenging, especially when it comes to discussing personal goals and aspirations. Practicing writing opinion essay and articulating your ideas can help you feel more confident and comfortable discussing your future aspirations. Do not forget about the following tips:

Be realistic

While it’s essential to aim high and have ambitious goals, it’s also important to be realistic about what you can achieve in five years. Consider your current experience, qualifications, and opportunities when setting your goals. Make sure that your goals are achievable and realistic, given your current circumstances.

Explain your reasoning

In a 5 years from now I see myself essay, explaining why you have chosen certain goals for yourself is important. What motivates you? What experiences have led you to these goals? Providing context and rationale for your goals can help the reader understand your perspective and reasoning.

Consider challenges

Anticipate challenges that you may face in achieving your goals and explain how you plan to overcome them. This shows that you have thought through the potential obstacles and are prepared to tackle them.

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Where Do I See Myself in 5 Years

Table of contents, 5 years from now: a glimpse into the future, navigating the path to achievement, balancing ambition with adaptability, conclusion: embracing the journey with anticipation.

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20 Smart Answers: “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

By Status.net Editorial Team on April 10, 2023 — 10 minutes to read

Why Do They Ask This Question?

When you’re asked “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?,” the interviewer wants to gain insight into your career aspirations, personal goals, and how you envision growing within the company or industry. This question also helps interviewers understand whether your long-term goals align with the opportunities that the company or job may provide.

Before you go into the interview, take some time to reflect on what you genuinely want to achieve in the next five years. Consider the following aspects:

Areas you wish to specialize in or skills you want to refine
Leadership opportunities you’d like to explore
Professional certifications or training programs you plan to complete
Any goals related to the company’s values or industry trends

Understanding your own goals will help you create a truthful and thoughtful response that showcases your ambition and commitment to personal growth. Moreover, demonstrating how you plan to utilize and develop the skills gained in this role will show the interviewer that you’re a good fit for the company.

It’s important to remember that your answer should be tailored to the specific position or industry you’re interviewing for. You want to show the interviewer that your long-term goals are a natural progression from the job you’re applying for. Feel free to express enthusiasm for the company, industry, or role, but avoid making unrealistic claims or commitments.

Tips for Structuring Your Answer

Being honest in your response means sharing your true career aspirations, while still trying to keep your goals realistic and attainable within the company. Your response might include the following aspects:

Specific job titles or roles you aspire to reach
Skills you plan to develop or improve
Any certifications, trainings, or educational goals you intend to achieve

Be Adaptable

Show flexibility in your answer by acknowledging that change is inevitable and that you’re willing to adapt to the company’s needs as well as your own professional growth. You can tell your interviewer that you’re open to new opportunities within the organization.

Highlight your ability to learn new skills and take on new challenges
Discuss how you can grow within the company and contribute to its success
Emphasize your willingness to embrace change and adapt as needed

Show Your Commitment

Express how you see your professional growth aligned with the company’s goals
Discuss the ways you intend to contribute meaningfully to the organization
Reiterate your excitement to be part of the company’s future

Addressing Uncertainty

It’s natural to feel uncertain about your future, especially when asked to predict where you will be in five years. However, using some strategies, you can form a thoughtful response that communicates your aspirations and adaptability.

Firstly, consider discussing your long-term goals in broad terms. Even if you’re unsure about the specifics, try to focus on the direction you’d like your career to move. For example, mention professional growth opportunities or attribute you’d like to develop. This approach demonstrates ambition without being too rigid.

Example: “In five years, I hope to have built on my skills and gained more responsibility within this company. I’m eager to learn from experienced team members and eventually take on leadership roles.”

Secondly, when you are not entirely sure about the exact positions or steps, you can emphasize a growth mindset. Talk about continuously improving and adapting to changing situations, which would show that you’re flexible and resilient.

Constant learning
Embrace challenges
Adapt to change

Example: “I’m committed to continually expanding my knowledge and improving, which is why I’m enthusiastic about your company’s focus on innovation. Wherever I see myself in five years, I’ll be ready to adapt and grow.”

If future possibilities are vague, mention that you’re open to exploring various paths or contributing to different projects. Clarify that you’re excited to work with the company and discover opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

Example: “I’m excited about the wide range of projects your company is involved in. While I may not know the precise role I’ll fill in five years, I’m eager to contribute to a company like yours and find my unique path.”

Setting Realistic Goals

When crafting your answer to the oft-dreaded question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”, it’s crucial to set realistic goals. Establishing achievable objectives demonstrates not only your ambition but also your clarity about what it takes to advance your career and thrive in the company.

One way to set realistic goals is to consider the job role and how it aligns with your long-term aspirations. Analyze the job description and requirements, and think about how they fit with your personal growth plans. Start by identifying the necessary steps to progress in the company or your field, and incorporate them into your answer. Here are some tips to help you:

Reflect on the skills or experience you need to acquire in the next five years. For example, perhaps you’ll need to complete a specific certification or training to advance in your industry. Mention this in your response, acknowledging the importance of self-development and continuous learning.
Consider potential career paths within the company. Research and identify possible roles you might transition into, ensuring your answer aligns with the organization’s structure and growth opportunities. This demonstrates a commitment to the company and its future.
Think about your personal life and how it may impact your career trajectory. It’s essential to recognize that your personal circumstances could play a role in determining your career path over the next five years. By balancing work and personal life, you can set realistic expectations for yourself and your employer.

As you formulate your response, keep in mind that it’s perfectly normal to not have an exact plan for the next five years. However, it’s crucial to demonstrate a strong work ethic, flexibility, and willingness to learn and grow within your role and the company.

Aligning with Company Vision

It’s also useful to consider the company’s vision and values. Doing so shows interviewers that you have done your research and genuinely care about the potential role you might play in the organization’s future.

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement and objectives. Visit their website, read up on any press releases, and research the history and recent accomplishments. This information will give you a solid foundation to align your long-term career goals with the organization’s vision.

Next, reflect on your personal values and career aspirations to find a meaningful connection with the company’s ethos. Use your research to identify opportunities for growth within the organization and emphasize how your contribution can serve as a catalyst for furthering their mission.

Review the job description thoroughly and understand the key responsibilities and required skills.
Reflect on your unique strengths and how they can contribute to the role and the company’s success.
Think about possible career milestones within the role and how they align with your long-term goals.
Consider the company’s projects or initiatives you would like to be involved in or lead, helping the organization grow and evolve in the future.
Prepare to communicate these points with confidence and enthusiasm during the interview.

An example of a well-aligned response could be:

“In five years, I see myself holding a leadership role within your company’s marketing department, where I can contribute to the development and execution of successful marketing strategies. I’m especially excited about the potential opportunity to work on your company’s sustainability initiatives, as I believe strongly in environmentally-conscious business practices.”

Focusing on Skills and Growth

When answering the question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”, focusing on skills and growth is an excellent approach. This shows employers that you’re dedicated to improving yourself professionally and highlights your commitment to the role you’re applying for.

Improving Current Skillset

Identify the key skills relevant to the job you’re seeking, and consider how you can enhance these skills over time: this can include further training, mentorship, or hands-on experience.

For example, you might say something like:

“In the next five years, I plan to hone my expertise in project management. I would like to collaborate on more complex projects and learn from experienced professionals in the field. I also plan to pursue a certification in Agile methodologies to streamline processes and deliver higher-quality results.”

This answer demonstrates your ambition, as well as a desire to contribute positively to the organization.

Acquiring New Skills

Besides improving your current skillset, it’s important to consider acquiring new skills. Employers appreciate candidates who are adaptable and committed to their professional development. Think about which additional skills could help you be more effective in your role or support the company’s goals.

“I am eager to learn more about data analysis tools like SQL and Python to inform and optimize our marketing strategies. I believe this will allow me to contribute more effectively to data-driven decision-making within the team and help the company achieve its larger objectives.”

“In the next five years, I plan to become an expert in Python programming and machine learning. I’m committed to taking courses and attending workshops to expand my skillset, which I believe will be an asset to your company’s tech team.”

“My goal is to develop my skills and expertise in this field, and in five years, I hope to have become an expert in my area of work and be recognized as a thought leader in the industry.”

Leadership-Focused Examples

Discussing your aspirations for a leadership role demonstrates your interest in taking on responsibility and driving teams to succeed. Emphasize your ability to guide others and create a positive work environment:

“As someone with a passion for teamwork and collaboration, I see myself in a leadership position in the next five years. I’m eager to mentor junior colleagues and help foster their professional growth, while also contributing to the overall success of the company.”

“In five years, I see myself as a senior member of this organization, having taken on more leadership responsibilities and contributing to the growth of the company.”

Career-Focused Examples

“In five years, I see myself in a mid-level management position within the marketing department. I plan on using the next few years to further develop my skills in marketing strategy and data analysis, and I truly believe this company is the perfect place to grow and achieve those goals.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to learn and grow in this role, and in five years, I hope to have taken on new challenges and responsibilities within the company.”

“I am passionate about making a positive impact in the world, and in five years, I see myself working on projects that have a tangible impact on people’s lives and the environment.”

“In five years, I hope to have built strong relationships with my colleagues and clients, and have a reputation for being a reliable and trustworthy partner in business.”

“I am committed to continuous learning and personal growth, and in five years, I hope to have completed additional training and certifications that will help me progress in my career.”

“I am excited about the potential for innovation and new technologies in this field, and in five years, I hope to have contributed to the development of new products or services that can benefit our customers.”

“In five years, I see myself in a leadership role within the company, mentoring and coaching others to help them achieve their full potential.”

“In five years, I hope to have made a significant impact in this company and have grown both professionally and personally. I see myself taking on more responsibility and leadership roles, while continuing to develop my skills and expertise in my field. Ultimately, I would like to be seen as a valuable asset to the company and contribute to its continued success.”

“In five years, I see myself having made a meaningful impact in this industry and having established myself as a thought leader and expert in my field. I am someone who is constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve, and I hope to have brought new ideas and approaches to the table that have helped move the industry forward. I also hope to have built a strong network of contacts and collaborators who share my passion for this work.”

“In five years, I see myself having built a successful and fulfilling career in this industry, while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I believe that it’s important to have a sense of purpose and meaning in one’s work, but also to prioritize personal relationships and hobbies outside of work. I hope to have found that balance and to be living a life that feels both rewarding and fulfilling.”

Your answer doesn’t need to be set in stone or overly specific; instead, focus on showcasing your skills, growth potential, and flexibility in the ever-evolving professional landscape.

To summarize:

Align your goals with the company’s objectives
Emphasize your desire for growth and development

Crafting the perfect response takes time, so give yourself an opportunity to reflect and practice before your interview.

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Diversity — The Path to my Future: My Life in Five Years

The Path to My Future: My Life in Five Years

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Published: Mar 8, 2024

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Personal development, career goals, social circle, philanthropy.

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10 Sample Answers to “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

Ever wondered how to ace the ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ question in job interviews?

At MatchBuilt, we’ve seen over 70% of employers ask this, making it a crucial pivot point for your career narrative. It’s not just about ambition; it’s a litmus test for your alignment with the company’s vision.

In this post, we’ll unlock the secrets behind this question, drawing on insights from top industry recruiters. Expect to find expertly crafted sample answers tailored to various career paths, equipping you with the right tools to articulate your future goals in sync with potential employers. Let’s dive in and transform your interview responses into compelling career stories.

how to answer where do you see yourself in 5 years

Why Employers Ask This Question and What They Are Looking For

Unraveling the intent behind the classic interview question, ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’, reveals much about an employer’s priorities. It’s not just a query; it’s a strategic probe into your career ambitions and fit with the company’s future.

Here, employers are gauging your long-term vision, seeking signs of ambition, motivation, and dedication to career growth.

A well-crafted answer showcasing your alignment with the company’s values and objectives isn’t just informative—it’s a testament to your commitment and potential growth within the organization. Let’s dive into how a strategic response can significantly impact your career trajectory.

How To Answer ‘Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?’

Now that we grasp the reasons behind the question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” and what employers are seeking in your response, let’s delve into crafting a compelling answer. Follow these clear and direct steps to excel in your response:

Be Honest and Realistic: When answering this question, be honest and realistic about your career goals and aspirations . Avoid being vague or unrealistic, as this can give the impression that you haven’t thought much about your future plans.
Show Your Ambition: Employers seek ambitious and motivated candidates to grow within the company. Show your ambition by sharing your long-term career goals and how they align with the company’s mission and values.
Highlight Your Skills: Take the opportunity to showcase your skills and how you plan to develop them further. This demonstrates your commitment to your career growth and potential value to the company.
Be Flexible: While having a clear vision for your future is important, being flexible and adaptable is also essential. Show that you are open to new opportunities and challenges within the company and are willing to adjust your plans if necessary.

When answering this question, avoiding being vague or unrealistic is essential. For example, saying that you see yourself as the company’s CEO within five years may be unrealistic and may not align with the company’s needs. Instead, focus on realistic and achievable goals that demonstrate your ambition and commitment to your career growth within the company.

By following these simple steps, you can provide a thoughtful and strategic answer that impresses your interviewer and showcases your potential as a candidate.

best answer to where you see yourself in five years

Avoid Common Mistakes When Discussing Your 5-Year Vision

When answering the question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” it’s important to avoid common mistakes that could send red flags to the hiring manager and hinder your chances of landing your dream job. Here are some tips on how to avoid these mistakes:

Don’t be too vague: Avoid giving generic or unclear answers that don’t align with your career aspirations. For example, saying that you see yourself “growing with the company” may not demonstrate enough ambition or a clear plan for your long-term career goals.
Don’t be too unrealistic: While showcasing your ambition and career growth aspirations is important, keeping them realistic is equally important. Saying that you want to be the company’s CEO within five years while starting at an entry-level position may come across as unrealistic.
Don’t be too short-sighted: Employers are looking for candidates with a long-term vision for their career growth, not just short-term goals. Ensure your answer includes how you plan to develop your skills and progress in your career beyond the five-year mark.
Don’t be too focused on the specific position: While showing enthusiasm for the role you’re interviewing for is excellent, showcasing your broader career goals and aspirations is vital. Don’t limit yourself to just one specific position within the company.
Don’t give the same example answer as everyone else: Employers have repeatedly heard the same “example answers” to this common job interview question. It’s important to stand out by providing a unique and personalized response that showcases your strengths and aspirations.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can correctly answer the question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” and increase your chances of receiving a job offer. It’s a great way to show your ambition and commitment to long-term career growth while demonstrating that you are a good fit for the company.

Now that you’ve learned what to avoid when answering ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’, let’s take it a step further. Below is a special video to visually guide you through the nuances of crafting an impactful answer. This video will illustrate, with real examples, how to articulate your 5-year vision effectively, ensuring you stand out in your interview. Get ready to transform your answer from good to exceptional, and confidently express your career aspirations.

10 Example Answers to “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

Dive into the heart of your next interview with our curated selection of ten sample answers to the pivotal question, ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ This section is crafted to arm you with strategies that not only answer the question but also align your ambitions with the company’s vision.

From aspiring leaders to technical experts, each example is tailored to showcase different career paths and goals. Let’s enhance your interview preparation and ensure you leave a memorable impression, well-equipped to articulate your future plans with confidence.

Sample Answer 1: Career Growth

In five years, I see myself as an integral part of the company’s vision, contributing to its growth and success. As the company expands into new markets and adopts new technologies, I would love to take on more responsibilities and advance within my role . To achieve this, I plan to proactively seek out professional development opportunities and mentorship from senior team members. I also aim to leverage my skills and experience to support the company’s goals and work collaboratively with my colleagues towards achieving shared objectives.

The response reflects the candidate’s eagerness to advance their company career and unwavering dedication to growth. It exhibits a thorough understanding of the company’s objectives and reveals the candidate’s determination to succeed through proactivity. By prioritizing their professional progression and seeking opportunities to hone their skills, the candidate aligns with the qualities that employers look for in a driven and committed candidate.

Sample Answer 2: Leadership Development

In the next five years, I envision myself growing within the company by taking on new challenges and expanding my skill set. As I understand from my research, the company is expanding its market share and introducing new products to its portfolio. I would like to be a part of this growth and contribute to the success of the company by taking on leadership roles in these new projects. To achieve this, I plan to actively seek out opportunities to learn and develop my skills, take on new responsibilities, and work closely with senior leaders to gain mentorship and guidance. I believe that by growing my leadership skills and contributing to the company’s vision, I can make a meaningful impact and help drive the company’s success in the future.

This answer demonstrates the candidate’s ambition and commitment to developing their leadership skills, a highly valued trait by employers. It also shows that the candidate has a clear plan for achieving their goals and is willing to take proactive steps to develop their skills.

Sample Answer 3: Cross-Functional Experience

In the next five years, I see myself growing within the company by taking on new challenges and expanding my skillset. I am impressed with the company’s vision for innovation and growth, and I would love to be a part of that journey. Specifically, I am interested in learning more about [specific department or project] and how I can contribute to its success. I plan to seek out opportunities to collaborate with those teams and gain a deeper understanding of their operations. By doing so, I believe I can bring added value to the company and achieve my own professional goals.

This response highlights the candidate’s eagerness to enhance their knowledge and expertise beyond their current position, showcasing a valuable attribute for any employee. Moreover, it indicates that the candidate is proactive in their approach and actively seeks out avenues for progress and advancement within the organization.

Sample Answer 4: Contribution to Company Goals

I see myself growing with the company and taking on new challenges over the next five years. I am excited about the company’s focus on expanding into new markets and developing innovative products, and I would love to be a part of that vision. Specifically, I hope to take on leadership roles within my department and contribute to the company’s success through my skills and expertise. I plan to continually improve myself by seeking out opportunities for training and development and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Ultimately, my goal is to make a significant impact on the company’s growth and success while also advancing my own career.

This answer demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to the company’s goals and values, a highly valued trait by employers. It also shows that the candidate has a clear plan for achieving their goals and is willing to seek feedback and mentorship to ensure their success.

Sample Answer 5: Technical Expertise

In the next five years, I see myself growing within the company and becoming an integral part of its future. I am excited about the company’s vision to expand its digital offerings, and I would love to be a part of that growth. Specifically, I am passionate about developing my technical expertise and becoming a subject matter expert within my field. To achieve this goal, I plan to attend technical training or workshops, seek mentorship or guidance from technical experts within the company, and actively seek out challenging technical projects. My objective is to become a valuable resource for the company and a go-to person for technical questions or projects that contribute to the company’s growth and success.

The candidate’s response indicates a strong drive to improve their technical abilities , reflecting a desirable quality sought by employers. Additionally, the candidate’s clear and well-thought-out plan for skill development showcases their dedication to achieving their objectives and their proactive approach toward seeking opportunities for growth and advancement.

candidate talking about professional development plan

Sample Answer 6: Leadership and Management

I see myself taking on a leadership role within the company over the next five years and managing a team. I have been actively developing my leadership skills, and I believe that I will be ready to take on this responsibility in five years. I plan to continue to grow my skills by taking leadership courses and working closely with my current manager to learn as much as possible.

This answer demonstrates that the candidate has ambition and is committed to growing their skills within the company. It also shows that they have a specific career path in mind and are actively working towards achieving their goals.

Sample Answer 7: Industry Expertise

In five years, I see myself as a vital member of the team, contributing to the company’s growth and success. As I understand the company’s vision, it aims to expand into new markets and develop innovative products to stay ahead of the competition. I am excited about the opportunity to grow alongside the company and be part of this vision. I plan to take on challenging projects, seek out learning opportunities, and continuously improve my skills to contribute to the company’s progress. Additionally, I look forward to mentoring new team members and sharing my knowledge and expertise to contribute to the team’s overall success.

The candidate’s response shows a strong commitment to staying current with the latest industry trends and a drive to enhance their expertise. Moreover, it highlights their proactive attitude and willingness to take on new challenges to advance their objectives.

Sample Answer 8: Making an Impact

In five years, I envision myself as a key player in the company’s growth and success. As the company expands into new markets and takes on more complex projects, I would like to take on a leadership role in these endeavors. I am excited about the company’s focus on innovation and sustainability, and I hope to contribute to these initiatives by developing new strategies and implementing best practices. By seeking out mentorship opportunities and continuously improving my skills, I am confident that I can help the company achieve its long-term goals.

This answer shows that the candidate is focused on making a meaningful impact within the company and is committed to finding ways to contribute to the team’s success. It also demonstrates that they are eager to develop their skills and become a more valuable team member.

Sample Answer 9: Entrepreneurship

In five years, I see myself starting my own business within the industry. I plan to continue learning as much as possible while working at this company and develop a network of industry professionals who can support me when the time comes. I believe that my experience working here will be invaluable when starting my own business.

This answer demonstrates that the candidate is ambitious and has a long-term career plan in mind. It also shows they are committed to developing their skills and network while working at the company. They see their experience there as an asset to their future entrepreneurial endeavors.

Sample Answer 10: Company Loyalty

In five years, I see myself still working at this company and contributing to its growth and success. I plan to continue developing my skills and taking on new challenges as they arise. I believe that this company is the best place for me to achieve my career goals, and I am committed to its success.

The candidate’s response exemplifies their loyalty to the company and their intention to stay for the long haul. It also highlights their unwavering commitment to improving their skills and tackling fresh challenges to propel the company’s growth and prosperity further.

Actionable Tips for the 5-Year Vision Interview Question

When responding to the question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” in an interview, it’s beneficial to focus on one or two key areas that align closely with your career aspirations and the company’s objectives. This section offers actionable tips derived from various focus areas to help you articulate a clear and strategic vision. Tailoring your response by combining aspects of these tips can make your answer more impactful and aligned with your individual goals.

Focus Area	Actionable Tip
Career Growth	Demonstrate commitment to long-term career goals
Leadership Skills	Articulate aspirations for leadership roles
Skill Development	Express eagerness to acquire specific skills
Company Alignment	Align personal goals with the company’s vision
Professional Growth	Discuss steps for career progression
Team Contribution	Highlight the importance of contributing to a team
Personal Development	Emphasize ongoing personal improvement
Innovation	Showcase a desire to bring innovative ideas
Industry Knowledge	Display a deep understanding of the industry
Work-Life Balance	Balance professional ambitions with personal life

Enhance your understanding of ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ another video guide. This visual complements the actionable tips provided, offering a dynamic way to understand how to effectively incorporate these strategies into your answer. The video will bring these tips to life, demonstrating how to blend your career aspirations with the company’s goals in a compelling and personalized way. Get ready to refine your response and make a memorable impact in your next interview.

Moving Up the Ladder: Using the “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” Question to Your Advantage

Answering the question about where you see yourself in 5 years requires a certain amount of crystal ball-gazing. However, by considering your long-term personal goals and creating a five-year plan, you can position yourself for success over the long haul. Whether you’re aiming for a specific management position or simply looking to build your skills and experience as an entry-level employee, having a clear sense of your ultimate goal is a good idea.

At MatchBuilt executive search, we understand that the coming years may hold many opportunities and challenges for job seekers like you. That’s why we’ve provided ten sample answers to one of the most common interview questions, along with advice on how to craft the best response for your potential employers. By following our tips and tailoring your answer to the specific position you’re seeking, you’ll make a great first impression on new employees and increase your chances of landing the job.

About Mark Matyanowski

As the founder of MatchBuilt, with over 18 years of recruiting and coaching experience and 8+ years in executive roles at a leading Fortune 100 company, I am deeply committed to guiding professionals in their career paths.

Our team at MatchBuilt offers expert support in enhancing resumes, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, and preparing for interviews. Our blog, drawing on our rich experience and industry insights, is a valuable resource for job seekers.

We take pride in successfully guiding job candidates to top-tier company roles while empowering individuals to achieve their career ambitions, irrespective of their background or educational level.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? 5 Sample Answers

If you’re interviewing for a new job, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked, “Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?”. You want to ensure that you present yourself in the best possible light and answer all of the interviewer’s questions satisfactorily. This can be a tricky question, but don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll discuss how to answer the “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” interview question and provide tips on making your five-year career plan as realistic as possible.

Table of Contents

How to answer, “Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?”

Before answering the question, “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” you need to sit down and think about your long-term career goals. What do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Do you want to move into a management position? Do you want to transition into a different role or department? Do whatever it takes to figure out what your goals are. Once you understand your goals well, you can start thinking about how you will achieve them.

For example, if your goal is to move into a management position, what steps will you need to take to make that happen? Perhaps you will need to complete a management training program or earn a promotion by excelling in your current role. What skills will you need to acquire if your goal is to transition into a different role or department? Once you have a plan for achieving your goals, articulating your answers to interview questions like “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” will be much easier.

Remember that your long-term career goals don’t have to be set in stone. As your career progresses, your goals may evolve and change. That’s perfectly normal! The important thing is that you have a general idea of where you want to go and how you will get there.

Checkout -> Most Common Interview Questions and Sample Answers

Sample Answers to the question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Sample answer for freshers.

In 5 years, I see myself as a successful software engineer with several years of experience in the field. I hope to have continued learning and growing in my career and to be an asset to any team I work with. Additionally, in 5 years, I would like to have started a family and be in a position where I can stay home with my children while they are young. Thanks!

Sample answer for students

I see myself as a successful medical student. I will have finished all of my coursework and will be in the process of completing my residency. In five years, I hope to work as a doctor and help people lead healthier lives. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had and am excited to see what the future holds.

Sample answer for experienced professionals

I see myself as a successful business consultant with my firm in five years. I will have helped numerous businesses achieve their goals and reach new levels of success. Additionally, in five years, I would like to be married and have started a family. I am excited to see what the future holds and am grateful for the opportunities that I have had. Thanks!

Sample answer for software engineer

I see myself as a senior software engineer in 5 years. I will progress in my career and work on more complex projects. I will continue to learn new technologies and grow my skills. I am excited to see what the future holds for me and look forward to continuing my growth as a software engineer.

Sample answer for customer service

In five years, I see myself continuing to work in customer service. I enjoy helping people and providing excellent customer service. Additionally, in five years, I would like to be promoted to a position of greater responsibility within my company. This might include becoming a team lead or a supervisor. I feel that I have the skills and experience necessary to successfully take on additional responsibility and provide even better customer service to our customers. Great customer service is important to me, and I will continually strive to provide it for as long as I am working in this field.

Conclusion:

The next time someone asks you, “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” take a deep breath and use it as an opportunity to discuss your long-term career goals. By thinking about your goals ahead of time and having a plan for achieving them, you can show the interviewer that you are a driven professional looking to grow within the company.

Where Will You Be in Five Years?

Most people have been asked that perennial, and somewhat annoying, question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Of course it is asked most often in a job interview, but it may also come up in a conversation at a networking event or a cocktail party. Knowing and communicating your career goals is challenging […]

Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review, cohost of the Women at Work podcast , and the author of two books: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict . She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics. Watch her TEDx talk on conflict and follow her on LinkedIn . amyegallo

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How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

When you get asked an interview question like, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” you might think, “Does five years from now matter? I have rent to pay this month!” Or, “I haven’t gotten that far. I’m about to turn 26 and need health insurance.”

It’s easy to become laser-focused on your next job and your next job only—especially if you’re unemployed or seeking to leave a toxic workplace . Or maybe you do have a clear vision of your future goals, but you're not sure if they align with what the interviewer wants to hear.

Regardless, this question is crucial, and how you respond can make or break your chances of being hired. Learn what interviewers want to know, how to put your answer together, and what to avoid—plus read a few example answers.

Land more interviews by looking for open jobs on The Muse »

Why do employers ask “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Even if it's not immediately clear, there's typically a logical reason behind the questions an interviewer chooses to ask. Here's why the interview question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” is an important one:

To measure if you're a good fit for the role

This question is “an attempt to measure a candidate's motivation and future goals,” says Muse career coach Tara Goodfellow , owner of Athena Consultants —and gauge how well they match up with the role you’re interviewing for.

Have you thought about your career path and how this role and company would fit into it? What are you looking to accomplish in this position, and how are you hoping to grow beyond it? Your answer should match with what the company has to offer; otherwise, the hiring manager might assume you won't stick around for long, or question your genuine interest in the position.

To understand your values and career aspirations

Employers are looking to understand what value you’ll bring to their organization on your way to achieving your goals, says Muse career coach Eloise Eonnet , founder of Eloquence Coaching . “They also want to know what kind of person you are and will become,” she says.

What matters most to you: Being proud of the work you do? Becoming a great team member? Learning how to be an awesome manager? Nowadays, fitting in with the company culture and sharing its values is just as important as having the skills required to perform your daily tasks.

To assess your potential for growth within the company

Hiring managers also pose this question to uncover whether you have a growth mindset. Ambitious people are often highly motivated, open to learning, willing to take risks, and embrace additional responsibilities. In certain companies and industries, these traits are deemed essential in an employee.

Even if you're not the most ambitious person ever, having a clear goal is important to show that you're not just going with the flow and aren't comfortable with staying stagnant.

Do's for answering “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

When preparing your response to "Where do you see yourself five years from now?" consider the company's values and how your goals align with the role. To make things easier, follow these tips to craft an answer that will impress your next interviewer:

1. Connect the job to your career goals

Think about your medium- and long-term career goals: maybe the type of job you want, the kind of company or team you’d like to work for, or the sort of work environment you’d like to be in. Or perhaps your goal is about how you’ll be seen by the people you work with—for example, as a great manager or as an expert on saving at-risk accounts.

Then, figure out how this position will help you reach your goals. Is this role a common step on the way to your dream job? For example, maybe you’re interviewing for a sales development representative role because you want to be an account executive down the line.

Or maybe you’re hoping to gain experience with a certain task or grow a skill that will help you in your career. For instance, you might want to work on a website redesign or learn how to manage databases.

2. Know that it’s OK if you don’t have it all figured out yet

You might have no idea where you want to be in five years, particularly if you’re applying for an entry-level position—and that’s totally fine. (Check out this worksheet on how to set long-term career goals.) “Most folks just don't know the scope of potential opportunities until they get some true experience,” Goodfellow says.

In this case, do some research about the career paths and professional opportunities that might follow from the position you’re interviewing for and learn a bit about related departments. See what might interest you and then be ready to explain why you’re interested, Goodfellow says.

For example, imagine you’re interviewing for a sales role. You might be interested in gaining experience selling to different types of clients to identify the industry or niche that best suits you in the long run. Or maybe you’d like to learn more about how marketing and sales interact and collaborate.

Just “showing in your answer that you understand the role helps,” Goodfellow says, so even if you don’t know where exactly your career is headed, make sure you’re clear on what opportunities this job will provide you and demonstrate that you’re excited to explore them.

Read more: How to Set Ambitious Career Goals You Can Realistically Accomplish

3. Be honest

Ultimately, while you want to connect your answer to the role, “you have to answer with what feels right to you,” Goodfellow says. So be honest—but tactful. Even if you think this is going to be a short-term gig for you, you don’t need to say that. Instead, focus on your potential.

Talk about the “value you will have created in a few years’ time. No need to mention a specific company name or exact position,” Eonnet says—e.g., “In five years, I will have managed a few multi-channel marketing campaigns and I will have become an expert on social media data reporting.”

4. Be realistic

Make sure you’re talking about goals you can accomplish in the next five years. If you’re an entry-level candidate, telling a department head that you’ll have their job in five years doesn’t make you seem ambitious, it makes you seem naive (and arrogant). Talk about moving up one or two levels max in your career or about learning skills and gaining experiences you’ll be exposed to in this position.

5. Follow this formula

So, how do you put this together as an answer? Eonnet suggests following this formula:

Step 1: Start your answer with one or two key goals and consider connecting them with some of the qualities you want to convey to the interviewer. For example:

“I’m someone who loves learning about new tech and trends, so in the next five years, I see myself as having established strong knowledge on what’s new and emerging in digital marketing.”

Step 2: Dive into how and why you will have done these things—interviewers want to see that you’ve thought through your plan. So continuing with the example you might say:

“By working as an analyst, I will have gained experience in analyzing the results of a range of marketing tactics, and I’ll have stayed on top of new developments by becoming active in one or more professional marketing groups.

I will have also used my analysis and knowledge to contribute to the conception of marketing campaigns and gained some experience running campaigns myself. This will give me a good foundation in marketing practices and help me leverage new trends effectively to create marketing campaigns that never feel stale.”

Step 3: Finish with your ambitions beyond the next five years (if you’d like).

“From there, I’m hoping to decide if I’d like to become a marketing specialist or continue as a generalist, but regardless, I’m hoping to eventually move into a marketing manager or strategist position where I’m making bigger-picture choices regarding campaigns and branding.”

Don'ts for answering “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

While certain answers can really impress a recruiter, others might totally ruin your chances of getting the job. Here’s what not to do (no matter how tempting it might be):

1. Imply haven’t thought about your goals (or tell a joke)

For example, “I'm just trying to make it to Friday.” No matter how true it feels, this is definitely a no.

You should also steer clear of other joke answers like “retired on a beach” or “as a rich widow.” Even if you don’t know exactly what’s in store for you down the line, use your response to show that you have a plan to figure it out.

2. Imply that you’re leaving this job the first chance you get

Not every company is expecting you to still be working for them in five years, but unless they state otherwise, it’s best to assume that they do, Eonnet says.

Goodfellow (who was formerly a recruiter) adds, “It’s very expensive to train, and expensive to recruit, so I do want to hear you intend to stick around.”

You don’t need to explicitly state, “I’ll still be working for you,” if it’s not true, but avoid saying anything that would be impossible if you still worked for the company. So if you’re interviewing for a software development job at a startup, don’t say that you’re hoping to have landed your dream job at Google by then.

3. Be too generic

“I remember being asked this question early in my career and wanted to blurt out, ‘I have no idea! I just need a job to pay my bills,’” Goodfellow says. She didn’t, but she ended up saying something “semi-honest and equally vague about wanting to do my best, learn more about the role and company, and apply my strengths to help the company achieve its goals.”

She doesn’t recommend being this bland. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight why you’re a good fit. Perhaps you’re excited to get hands-on experience producing professional videos after producing a number of successful student films with little to no budget, for example.

“Be honest, direct, and succinct,” Goodfellow says. Hiring managers will likely have other candidates to interview on the same day—so they don't want you to talk forever, and you don't need to. It's possible to give a good response in just 2 to 3 minutes.

If getting lost in your own thoughts is common for you, our tip is to practice with a time clock before the interview. If you're taking too long, try jotting down your answer, reading it, and then trimming away any non-essential details. Keep practicing until you can deliver your response within a reasonable amount of time.

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Answer examples

Now, let's see how all these tips come together for a winning response. Here are three example answers tailored to different job titles and career stages. Read on to get inspired and use these samples as a guide to craft your own answer.

#1 Sample answer for a mid-level candidate

So, you're not quite senior yet, but you definitely want to get there. One possible answer to this question might sound like:

“I’m someone who loves solving problems, so in five years, I’d love to be seen as the go-to financial analyst when departments or projects need to save money and achieve their business goals. I will have worked with senior financial analysts to learn from their approaches before taking on a few smaller budgets myself and slowly building up from there.

But I will have also completed a few courses on business operations using XYZ Co’s professional development allowance since I want to make sure that any suggestions I make go toward not just saving money, but increasing efficiency and achieving company goals.”

#2 Sample answer for an entry-level candidate

Let’s say you’re an entry-level candidate who doesn’t quite know where you want to be in five years. You might answer with:

“In five years, I’d like to be in a position where I know more about my longer-term career aspirations as a designer. I will have gotten experience working for a design agency and know more about the industry overall.

I’ll have grown my technical skills and learned how to take feedback from clients and incorporate it. And the way your agency is set up, I’ll also have gotten the opportunity to design different kinds of deliverables—including websites, branding, and ad campaigns—for different kinds of clients to see where I really feel at home before settling on a focus.”

#3 Sample answer for a senior candidate

A a couple of years into your career, you might say something like:

“I’ve found that the most rewarding part of working in HR has been when I get to be part of putting together a training or development session—it’s so satisfying to help my coworkers learn new skills.

So in five years I’d like to be more of an expert in learning and development. I’ll have learned more about what goes into putting together career development opportunities for employees and have hopefully coordinated or run some training sessions myself.

In a training and development coordinator role like this, I’ll also learn more about how to work with individual employees or teams to identify prime opportunities to upskill and find the best form of training available so I’m delivering programs that are useful to individuals and the org overall. Hopefully, in five years I’ll be helping make decisions about what kinds of programs a business will offer and how to make sure employees are benefitting and growing.”

Key takeaways

See a pattern in all these examples? They clearly articulate their goals for the future and show how they'll get there in the next five years. These are key elements for crafting an answer that will leave a lasting positive impression. Nail this question, and you're one step closer to acing your job interview.

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years? (Sample Answers Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Updated 4/30/2022

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? It’s one of those interview questions that seems so simple, but it’s surprisingly tricky to answer. Doesn’t the hiring manager know you can’t predict the future? Yes, they do. But that doesn’t mean they won’t ask you to try.

So, how do you answer a question well if it’s based mainly on guesswork? We’re about to tell you.

Here’s what you can expect from us in this article:

Why do Hiring Managers ask this question?

Communicating Your 5 Year Goals

Mistakes to Avoid When Answering This Question
How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”
3 Great “Where Do you see Yourself in 5 Years” Examples

Why Do Hiring Managers Ask This Question

Alright, before we hop into any “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” sample answers, let’s talk about why Hiring Managers ask this question.

Do hiring managers think you can tell them with 100 percent certainty where you’ll be five years down the road? No, they don’t. Instead, this question is sort of a test (and not necessarily a great one).

There’s a lot of debate regarding whether hiring managers should ask this question. Some people consider it one of the most ineffective interview questions around because it’s asking you to provide an answer based on a theoretical future no one can actually predict. Others dislike it because it’s essentially requiring candidates to provide lip service to the company.

Still, whether it’s a great way to just a candidate’s chances of success, you may need to answer it. So, it’s vital to know what the hiring manager is actually trying to find out.

Essentially, the hiring manager wants to see whether your answers line up with the company’s goals and the hiring manager’s vision for the position. In the end, hiring a new employee costs around $4,000 to hire, but that’s just part of the equation. Companies also invest in onboarding and training.

Since that’s the case, they want to make sure the incoming hire stays put long enough for them to get a sufficient amount of value out of them. If this job is a fit for your long-term plan, that increases the likelihood that you’ll stay in the role long enough to make hiring you worthwhile. If it isn’t a match for your goals, they may assume that investing in you isn’t a wise choice. Yes, it’s that simple.

In some cases, hiring managers can learn a bit more, too. Depending on how you answer, they can assess aspects of your personality. Are you methodical or free-spirited? Ambitious or cautious? Metered or bold? How you answer may tell them.

By knowing what hiring managers are trying to find out, you can create an answer that speaks to those points. That way, you can increase your chances of standing out for the right reasons.

FREE BONUS PDF "CHEAT SHEET" Get our Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years cheat sheet that gives you 3 more word-for-word example answers to this interview question and more.

Click Here To Get Your Cheat Sheet

Regardless of the reasons for the Hiring Manager to ask this question, the fact of the matter is, there is a good chance you’re going to be asked it. And this has been made more relevant during the post-Covid world, as the Great Resignation continues and companies become more and more paranoid about losing workers. They want to know if you’re going to stick with them after they’ve invested in you.

So how do you communicate your 5 year plan? How do you let them know that you’ve walked into the interview with a firm grasp of your short term, medium term and long term career goals?

For starters, you need to have put some thought into this before your interview. According to the Wall Street Journal , “Don’t wait for a manager or mentor to ask you what your goals are. Get ahead by brainstorming and crafting your professional goals independently.”

There are many goal-setting resources out there that can assist you with building a goal profile that you can feel confident about heading into your interview.

Once you’ve flushed out your goal profile, get comfortable with it. Read it over several times. Ask a friend to sit down with you and ask you questions about your goals; anything from short- to long-term, financial or growth related or anything else that an interviewer might ask you.

And finally, study how your goals might align with what the company is expecting from the person they hire for the job:

Common Mistakes People Make When Answering the Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years Interview Question

So, can you make mistakes when answering the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” interview question? Yes, you can.

Usually, the biggest misstep is discussing a goal that has nothing to do with the job or company. If you don’t line up your career path with the opportunity, you’ll seem like a poor fit, even if you could thrive in the role.

Outlining an unrealistic target is also a big mistake. While saying you’ll be CEO in 5 years might seem daring and passionate, if getting into that role in the next half-decade isn’t actually plausible, it’s a bad answer.

Undershooting works against you, too. If you don’t discuss any kind of growth or advancement, it makes you seem complacent about your career. The hiring manager may also worry that you lack confidence or that your abilities don’t actually line up with what they need. In any of those cases, that works against you.

Saying you want to end up in the hiring manager’s job is also a terrible choice. It doesn’t seem ambitious. Instead, it comes across as a threat.

How To Answer Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years

Creating a fantastic answer for this interview question usually seems tricky. However, with the right strategy, you can get the ball rolling. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are three tips that can get you moving in the proper direction.

1) Research the Role and Company

Since your answer needs to show that the position you want to land fits into your 5-year plan, it’s time for some research. Learn as much as you can about the job and the company, especially when it comes to missions, values, and goals. That way, you can fit the right details into the answer, making you seem like a strong fit.

Additionally, spend time researching the next job in the career path. That could give you a reasonable 5-year target, giving you a reference point to discuss how you see that time potentially unfolding.

2) Let Your Enthusiasm Shine Through

Talking about the future should be fun and exciting. If you deliver an answer to the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” interview question that seems hesitant or uninspired, the hiring manager might assume that you don’t have much passion for the field or the opportunity.

Instead, you need to ensure that your enthusiasm shines through. Show that the path ahead is genuinely motivating to you. That way, you increase your odds of impressing.

3) Embrace Genericness (To a Degree)

Generally speaking, being generic when you answer a job interview question is a poor choice; this is the exception. Since you’re talking about a moment far in the future and there’s no way to know exactly what’ll end up on the horizon, it’s okay to be a little vague. Embrace that idea.

By being a bit generic, you can tailor your answer to the job without making your plan seem too rigid. Additionally, with a broad answer, the hiring manager may fill in some of the gaps themselves. They might figure out how the role could potentially work for you in ways you wouldn’t think of, causing them to relate their ideas to you in their minds. In some cases, that can work in your favor.

Step-By-Step Guide for Answering This Question

As with most interview questions, a strategic approach is your ally. Here’s how to answer “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

1. Do Your Research

As mentioned above, you need to spend time learning about the job and company. That way, you’ll have an easier time designing a response that’s relevant in the eyes of the hiring manager.

2. Check Out the Career Path

After you dig into the role and employer, spend a little time reviewing your potential career path. Determine what jobs come next and how long it usually takes to land them. That way, you can find a solid target for your answer.

3. Have a Compelling Value Proposition

In the end, you should always strive to showcase your value during your interview. Consider how any goals you outline can benefit the company, allowing you to show why your growth and advancement is ultimately a win-win.

4. Embrace Brevity and Be Generic

Generally, this is an interview question where the answer should be short, sweet, and free of any overly limiting detail. Provide a quick overview with somewhat generic targets, ensuring it’s easy for the hiring manager to see how the job can fit into your 5-year plan.

But what if they ask you where you see yourself in 10 years? Don’t worry, we’ve written a separate article for that which you can read here .

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years Examples

How you answer “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” largely depends on where you are in your career. Since that’s the case, it’s helpful to see a couple of examples. Fortunately, we have your back.

Here are three “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” sample answers, with each one targeting a different moment in a person’s career.

Entry-Level Recent Graduate

As a recent graduate, I’m excited to take my first steps into my chosen field. Over the next five years, my main goal is to continue learning and growing. That’s what initially attracted me to the position and your company, as you have a reputation for supporting your employee’s development.

Ideally, I’d also like to take move from an entry-level role into one that’s a bit more advanced within the next five years if the opportunity arises. Along the way, I also want to explore emerging trends in the field, including on my own time. That way, I can provide an employer with value beyond my current role, hopefully putting me on the track to a rewarding career.

Mid-Career Individual Contributor

During my career, I’ve mainly focused on honing my capabilities, ensuring I can exceed expectations in every role I’ve held. One of those opportunities involved overseeing a critical project. It was my first chance to lead a team, and it ignited my passion for coaching others toward success. Due to that, my main goal for the next five years is to work toward a management role.

To make that a possibility, I’m already taking extra steps. For instance, I’m signing up for project management and leadership courses, allowing me to boost those capabilities. I also feel this role helps me continue down this path, as overseeing projects is a major component of the position.

Manager, Leader, or Executive

During the next five years, my top priority is to support the growth and development of a team while supporting my employer’s overall mission and vision. I’d also like to keep my career moving forward.

In my current position, I’ve had the opportunity to guide and coach an outstanding team, leading to a variety of individual and team successes. For my next step, I’m seeking out opportunities to expand my responsibilities.

That’s why I feel like this role is an exceptional fit for my goals, as it allows me to oversee a department. Ultimately, I’d like to take my knowledge of leadership and coaching and apply it at that level. That way, I can provide exceptional value, all while expanding into new strategic areas that allow me to give even more.

Putting It All Together

By now, you like have a good idea of how to answer, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Use all of the tips above to your advantage. That way, when it’s time to speak with a hiring manager, you’ll have a plan in place, making it easier to impress.

FREE : Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years PDF "Cheat Sheet"

Ok the next thing you should do is Download our PDF Answer "Cheat Sheet" that gives you "word for word" example answers to this dreaded question.

In it you'll find answers to fit a variety of scenarios including: if you are applying for an entry level position , mid management and more!

CLICK HERE TO GET THE "CHEAT SHEET"

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years Essay | Find Out Goal, Positive and Negative Attitude

December 28, 2021 by Prasanna

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years Essay: In today’s world, the amount of stress that comes with growing up is quite high. And for many people, it can be difficult to find meaning in their lives. But where do you see yourself in five years? This opening question is what a lot of essay prompts ask and it can seem daunting. In this essay, we shall explore how to tackle this question and discover the various approaches for this solution.

You can also find more Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Find Out Your Goal and Work Towards Them

Where do you see yourself in five years? Everyone has a vision for their future and it’s important to realize that you should have one too. Whether you want to be working at the local bank, starting your own business, or achieving an Olympic gold medal, it’s important to really think about what you want for your life. You’ll feel more fulfilled knowing where you’re headed, and if you don’t have a goal, it’s very difficult to reach them. In other words, the more you know about what you want, the easier it will be to get there.

Moreover, doing something new can be stressful at first, but the harder you work, the easier it will get! Doing something new can also be very rewarding. We all have goals in our life, no matter what they may be. Many people’s goals are to have a good education and find success with their company. Others may want to travel the world and eat different cuisines. The most important thing is finding your purpose in life and finding out where you see yourself in five years from now. Granted, most of us have financial hurdles that prevent us from pursuing our real goals, but regardless, you must work towards fulfilling those goals.

Get the Most Out of Your Goal

In order to make a fulfilling career, it is important that you take the time to think about what your goals are. This can be difficult because there are so many paths for us to choose from in life, but following your dreams will only result in a successful future. If you know where you want to go, then work towards achieving that goal. If you do not know where you want to go, then be open to all the possibilities and explore them. Remember that you are the only one who can control the outcome of your future.

Have a Positive Attitude: Negative thoughts and emotions tend to sway our attitude in life, leading us to adopt less positive attitudes and behaviors. If you are having a negative day or week, take some time to reflect on the positive things in your life. You may be surprised at how easily your attitude changes. Use meditation to help you achieve a positive mindset, and be sure to surround yourself with positive people.
Know When to Stop Trying: If a situation or relationship becomes increasingly negative, it may be time to let go and move on. As you might expect, people who are more positive will generally have a better outlook on life. Do not allow yourself to feel bad about your past. You must accept that you have made mistakes and move on to create a better future.
Avoid Negative People: It is not uncommon to find a negative person in the workplace or school. If you are surrounded by negative people, it can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook on life. Work on building a positive support system for yourself and avoid negative people at all costs.
Remember that life is not perfect: Life has its ups and downs. Even when things look bleak, there is still some good to be found. For example, you may have failed to crack an interview for a job that you might like. However, such experiences will only make you stronger and wiser.

Calculate How Much Time You’ll Need to Reach your Goal

It’s important to start planning for your future as soon as possible because life is unpredictable. One of the most effective ways to figure out how long you’ll need to work on a certain task is to break it down into small, manageable chunks. You can do this by calculating the time frame that you believe will be needed to reach your goal. This is an important step because it will allow you to determine which time period has the most realistic chance of being reached.

SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They are specific in that they are clear about what needs to be done. They are measurable in that there is a way for them to be verified. They are achievable in that they require commitment and effort but not superhuman capabilities. They are relevant in that they align with your mission and long-term objectives. And they have a time limit so the goal can be achieved before it becomes irrelevant due to changes in the external environment or internal situation. An example of a SMART goal is as follows:

Specific – “I want to learn the English Language
Measurable – “I want to increase my English vocabulary by learning at least 25 new words everyday.
Attainable – ” I can achieve this goal by reading English newspapers, magazines and books.”
Relevant – “Achieving my goal can open up more opportunities for me.”
Time-bound – “I will become proficient at English if I set aside an hour to study everyday.

Take Action Now

Imagine if you could make your future happen. Think of the possibilities that can be had if you take action now on what you want your life to be like in 10 years. Each day that passes by is another opportunity to take action and start making a difference in your life right now.

Master Your Mindset: As you begin to work on your life vision, you will find many hurdles and road blocks that come your way. When this happens, you must find ways to adapt and overcome it. Here are a few tips to help you master your mindset:
Learn from mistakes: Instead of beating yourself up over every mistake you make, learn from them and move on. If you don’t make mistakes, then you won’t know what to do when you do make them.
Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t: You’ll find that when you focus on your specific goals and don’t worry about what others are doing, you will be able to achieve them in the end.
Find ways to improve: Never stop learning and improving. Even if you’re not making progress, keep trying new things, learn something every single day.

In a nutshell, you need to do something today that will lead you towards achieving your goals in the future.

“Where do you see yourself in five years? Will your five year plan be similar to that of your previous year? Will it be the same as that of someone who has never set goals or a goal before?”

Find out what you really want out of life and then take the steps necessary to achieve that goal. Seeing yourself in 5 years is a difficult task. It requires that you plan for the future and think about what you want, and get out of your comfort zone. As hard as it may seem, it will be worth it when you get to see what you’ve accomplished and how far you’ve come.

FAQs on Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?

Question 1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – Example

Answer: This is a difficult question, but if you are able to answer it, it will provide an employer with insight into your personal goals. It will also give them the chance to see if you are a good fit for their company.

Question 2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years for freshers?

Answer: There is a lot to consider when it comes to planning for the future. You should consider your strengths and weaknesses and think about what type of career would best suit you. For example, if you are good at working in teams and leading them, then a managerial position might be best for you.

Question 3. How do you answer “Where do you see yourself in 2/3 years?”

Answer: Asking this question during an interview can be intimidating. When the interviewer is looking for a good answer, it is best to consider your personal goals and align them with the company’s goals.

Question 4. What are your goals 10 years from now?

Answer: Your goals for the next 10 years should be something that you can accomplish. It is important to set goals that are realistic and attainable and keep them in your life to keep you motivated and on track. If you want to get a promotion at work, make sure it is something your boss might see as an achievement. If you want to become a millionaire, make sure it is reasonable and achievable.

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Interview Questions & Answers

How to Answer: “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” (+ Examples)

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Wait, does that mean recruiters expect you to predict your future with pinpoint accuracy? Will they hold you to a precise five-year plan? No, not really.

Rather, by asking this interview question, they want to understand your general long-term professional goals. It’s like they’re saying “let’s talk about all the potential paths you envision for your career and how you plan to get there.”

And while this once-classic question about your 3–5-year career plans is slowly becoming obsolete, you might still hear it. It’s just that the expectations for a good answer have changed significantly.

In this article, you’ll learn:

Why interviewers ask “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
How to prepare an answer that stands out.
Sample great answers to “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
Common mistakes to avoid when talking about where you see your professional future going.

And if you just want a quick recap of the main points, here it is.

How to answer “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Show that you’re ambitious, goal-oriented, and that the job fits into your long-term goals.
Tie your answer to the position you’re interviewing for.
Emphasize continual learning. Let them know you want to take on courses, certifications, or other types of professional training.
Stay realistic. Mention a job role or scope of responsibilities that’s a reasonable progression from the job you’re applying for.
Be flexible. Although you should have an idea of where you want to be, demonstrate that you’re adaptable to change, as the business landscape is always evolving.

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Why Do Interviewers Ask “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

First of all, yes, this question sounds intimidating but, in reality, recruiters don’t really want to hear your specific, detailed 5-year plan. They simply want to know your long-term career goals (and if you have a 2-year plan and are still considering your options after that — that’s fine, too).

Interviewers will ask you “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” for two main reasons:

To find out about your general career goals

Are you thinking long-term and do you have a clear plan for what your future should look like?

If you’re already making plans, it will probably mean you’re decisive, organized, responsible, proactive, and motivated.

To find out about your goals within this company and this position

Interviewers want to know how the position you applied for will fit into your long-term goals.

They want to know if your development plans are in line with the approximate career progression plan for the role you’re interviewing for.

And most importantly, they must check if you’ll be happy and fulfilled in your new role so that they won’t have to hire again soon.

How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

As we explained above, there are five key steps to crafting a good answer:

Show that you’re ambitious and that the job fits your goals.
Emphasize continual learning.
Stay realistic.
Be flexible.

1. Show that you’re ambitious and that the job fits your goals.

You need to show them why you’re a good pick for that particular position.

Talk about how your plans are aligned with what the company wants to achieve with this open position. You can usually figure this out by looking at the job ad or by speaking to the recruiter about the position — there must be a reason they opened it in the first place.

2. Tie your answer to the position you’re interviewing for.

We’re not saying you should make it up, but there must be a mutual factor beneficial to both you and the company.

Take this example: you’re a senior content writer who would like to become Head of Content one day. The company says it’s growing and will potentially need someone to take over the writing team in the future.

Bam! It’s a perfect opportunity to mention how you plan to develop leadership skills to run a team one day.

3. Emphasize continual learning.

In order to be successful in just about any job today, you need to be committed to life-long learning and development, both personally and professionally.

And you have an opportunity to bring it up in your “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” answer.

So make sure you mention your growth goals and briefly outline the steps that will get you there. That said…

4. Be realistic.

It takes years to progress from one level to another, so if you’re a recent grad starting your career, saying you want to be a VP or Head of X in 5 years will make you look naive.

Also, when speaking with a hiring manager, avoid borderline arrogant statements like “In 5 years, I will be in the position you are now,” even if intended as a joke.

5. Be flexible.

Nothing better than an adaptable candidate with a quick wit.

In your answer to “Where do you see yourself in 5 years,” demonstrate your ability to adapt and navigate change.

Mention a plan B you have in case your plan A gets derailed. Talk about one or two additional paths you’re considering, depending on the situation on the market, in the industry, and the company you’ll work for.

For more useful tips that’ll help you become an offer-generating machine, we’ve prepared a free course (where we teach you how to speak about your strengths, sell yourself , and negotiate the salary and benefits of your dreams).

“Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” — Answer Template and Sample Answers

Let’s take a look at some examples.

“Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” — Sales Representative Sample Answer

Why we like it: The candidate doesn’t need help with setting up a plan — they already have a thorough understanding of what it takes to become a successful Sales Representative. Hiring managers love candidates with clear goals and dedication to professional development. Plus, the candidate mentioned they’re looking to settle in an appropriate company, and considering how costly it is to replace and train new employees, any company would be happy to hire a person who wants to stay there for a longer period of time.

“Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”: Content Writer Sample Answer

Why we like it: The candidate is thinking both short and long-term (which is awesome as some skills can be acquired faster than others). In addition, on a long-term basis, they have a more ambitious goal of developing strategic skills so that they can work on content strategy, as well as writing. This is something that any company could benefit from, so it’s a good thing they mentioned it.

“Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” — Software Developer Sample Answer

Why we like it: This answer demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning and flexibility. The candidate wants to work on the soft skills that would help them get into a leadership role when the time comes, but they also want to remain in their expert field and stay in the loop with the trends and innovations. This way, whatever the market situation is in the years to come, the candidate will have options to choose from.

“Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” — Project Manager Sample Answer

Why we like it: The candidate is specific. They clearly outlined the methodologies they want to be certified in and listed specific soft skills that’ll help them become a well-rounded professional. Additionally, they provided a reason for why they want to work in this specific company and why they’d be a good culture fit.

“Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” — Teacher Sample Answer

Why we like it: The candidate succinctly lists what their values and interests are, and says they’re looking for a company with the same focus. A nice way to demonstrate alignment between their personal goals and what the institution is doing.

Still not sure how to use these examples? Here’s a template we created that combines all the best techniques:

“Where Do You See Yourself in X Years?” Template

“In the next [X] years I plan to grow in [area 1] and [area 2] and pursue [goal 1] and [goal 2]. I’d also like to master [set of needed skills]. As for what comes next, I’m considering a few best-case scenarios that seem great at the moment. Right now, my ideal situation would be [scenario 1]. But I’ll know which one is best later on, once I gain a better understanding of how my skills evolve and where the market’s at.”

“Where do you see yourself in five (or any other number) years?” is one of those questions that tend to be asked really frequently. Other common interview questions include:

Tell me about yourself
Why should we hire you?
Why do you want to work here?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
How do you handle conflict?
How do you problem-solve under pressure?

You can learn all about them by clicking the links from the list above. Or, get an all-in-one guide here: Common interview questions & sample answers .

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering the “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” Question

Being too vague or general.

You already know you need to be specific in answering pretty much any interview question. The same applies here.

is simply not a good answer. The reasoning is good, but you need to add to it by explaining in more detail what you’ll do to get there. You need to be able to provide more specific information.

Now, this is a much better answer because it outlines what particular steps you’ll take and where you expect them to lead you.

Being too honest or weirdly specific

Similarly, you want to avoid being too honest and answering the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” like this:

What’s wrong with it: It shows you did not take the question seriously, did not prepare for the interview, that you lack planning skills, and have no desire to progress in your career.

What’s wrong with it: If there’s already a person in the Head of X position, answering the question like this will showcase your competitive nature (and you haven’t even landed an offer yet). It simply looks bad.

What’s wrong with it: You’ve placed yourself in too many boxes here. You narrowed it down and got so specific that there’s only a limited number of companies you will be able to do this at, and it’s very likely that the one you’re interviewing with will simply not check all of your boxes.

Focusing solely on personal goals or aspirations

Avoid focusing strictly on what’s in it for you.

Sure, the question asks about your goals in the next 5 years, but remember that recruiters are trying to check if you and the company are the right fit for each other.

So you need to show the alignment between your plans and the company’s goals to display you’re the right match.

Overpromising or setting unrealistic expectations

It will paint the wrong picture of you and your abilities and set employer expectations high. And if you can’t fulfill them and deliver on your promises and goals, you’ll end up looking bad.

Always stick to realistic goals and set proper plans that follow them. Delivering on what’s promised, even if it’s not crazy ambitious, will send a message that you’re a person of their word.

Showing no interest in the company or industry

Remember this answer: “In 5 years, I want to become a Head of People and Culture, leading a team of at least 5 recruiters and 2 managers, working in a B2B SaaS company that’s also strictly remote and from the US.”

In addition to being a bit too specific, it also demonstrates the candidate and the company are not the right fit.

What if it’s a B2C company in the ecommerce space that’s office-based? It checks zero candidate’s boxes.

Now, don’t get us wrong, it’s great that the candidate knows what they want, but if they know that the company does not meet the criteria, they’re wasting their (and the company’s) time.

That’s why you always need to tailor your answer so that it encompasses your goals and displays interest in the company you’re interviewing with, or the industry it operates in.

Want to score more interviews? Time to up your resume game. We’re here to help, make sure you give these handy guides a read:

How to Write a Resume That Lands Jobs
Which Resume Format to Choose
Resume Summary Examples
Resume Objective Examples
Resume Profile Examples
How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume
How to Create an Education Section on a Resume
The Best Skills to Put on a Resume
How to Describe Hobbies and Interests on a Resume

Additional Tips for Answering the “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” Question Effectively

Research the company and its industry trends.

Being in the loop with the company’s events and industry trends will always get you bonus points.

That’s why you can dig around the company’s website (Events, Career, and About Us pages) to get informed; and you can keep track of industry trends by subscribing to newsletters, starting a LinkedIn profile, or reading online newspapers such as Tech Crunch and similar.

Incorporating the info you find here in your answer to the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” will show that you’re well-informed, aligned with the company and industry, resourceful, and a well-rounded person that could easily fit in with the team.

Reflect on your career goals and aspirations

Before you even hit the “Apply” button, you need to sit with yourself and carefully think about your goals and aspirations.

Be true to yourself and determine your career goals. It will help you down the road, as you’ll be more transparent about where you want to go and what you want to achieve.

Plus, you can save yourself time and effort and apply only to companies that align with your goals.

Need help finding the right jobs to apply for? Here’s a 4-step guide to help you niche down.

Tailor your answer to the specific job and company

As we already suggested above, whenever you can, tailor your answer to the specific job and company.

After you’ve done your research, it should be fairly easy to do it, as the mere fact that you decided to apply and landed an interview says that you could be a fit and there are mutual goals for both you and the company.

Focus on your goals but always tie them to what the company can get from them, and emphasize your skills and traits that could be particularly useful for the company.

Practice your response to build confidence

All the thinking in the world won’t help you if you don’t prepare your answer in advance and practice .

We recommend that you write your main points down. In this case, these would be your key goals and ambitions for the next 5 years.

Then put them into a single, coherent answer.

Don’t learn it by heart (you don’t want to sound robotic), but have a sense of what you’ll want to mention and how you want to phrase it.

When you have it figured out, head to the Mock Interview Practice Tool and record your answer. Ta-da! You’ll get an instant report on what you sounded like and how to improve (feedback like word choice, power words you used, your speaking speed, how many filler words you used, etc.).

Mock Interview Practice Tool: Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years

“Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” — Popular Opinion vs. Expert Advice

Now, let’s analyze some popular advice on social sites like TikTok, Reddit, YouTube, or Quora.

We asked our two experts, Big Interview’s co-founder and Chief Career Coach with 15+ years of experience, Pamela Skillings, and Michael Tomaszewski, a Certified Professional Resume Writer, to analyze the tips given by the community.

A Reddit user asked: “All my interviewers have asked “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”, but I still haven’t come up with a good way to answer it apart from the joking “still here, I hope”. The truth is that I don’t really know how far I can get in five years.

Here’s what the most upvoted advice by johnnychimpo017 was:

You could say something like: “In 5 years I want to be known as a Subject Matter Expert, who my peers look to based on my knowledge and ability to coach/mentor.” This answer works no matter what the job: be an expert in a process, a product, a technology, or an architecture. Think of it less of “how far I can get” and more “what kind of responsibilities I want to have”. Or say you’d like foreign experience if the company has foreign offices. The key is to paint a positive future with yourself being a valuable employee. Saying stuff like “still here I hope” makes it seem to the interviewer that you have no aspirations.

Overall, you’ll come across as someone who is invested in contributing positively to the workplace, which is something employers often look for in candidates. — Pamela Skillings, Chief Coach at Big Interview

Next, a popular TikTok where user @millionmilestravelmaker said:

As for me, I’m declaring that in 5 years time I will be packing my bags and chasing my dreams around the globe. So traveling around the world and earning six figures.

While it’s great to see ambition, this answer isn’t appropriate for a job interview. Stating a desire to travel and earn six figures might be exciting for personal goals, but it lacks commitment to the specific role or company. Interviewers are likely to be concerned about your dedication to the job, as it seems more focused on personal aspirations than contributing to the organization. — Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW

In another similar Reddit thread, user punknprncss said:

It’s best to take a step back in this question and ask yourself, why is this question asked in the interview? Hiring managers will be looking for a few things — Does this candidate set realistic goals? Do they have an idea of where their future is going? Are they ambitious? Do they present themselves as someone that will be with us long term? If I was hiring for an admin or marketing role and a candidate said “In 5 years, I’d love to be working in IT”, I would likely consider them not to be a good fit as it doesn’t align with the role. If they said in 5 years they want to be a vice president, again not a good fit as it’s not realistic.

But I would love answers like “In the next 5 years, I hope to have learned a variety of skills and tasks and be in a position to take on higher level tasks and consider a management role. I hope to be in a company that allows for career growth and provides new opportunities as I enjoy learning new skills”.

The example answer provided is excellent. I like how they advise job applicants to always try to understand the purpose behind the question. Just like you, employers know that life is unpredictable, and nobody’s expecting you to give them a bulleted list of your exact yearly plans. Generally, what people like to hear is that you have a solid career plan and aspirations. Be reasonable and a little ambitious. Remember that it’s less about the exact position and more about the soft skills and business acumen you plan on acquiring over those years.

— Pamela Skillings, Chief Coach at Big Interview

The Evolution of the “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” Question

Now, in all honesty, when recruiters ask the question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” and its variations like:

Where do you see yourself in 3/5/X years
Where do you want to be in 5 years
What do you want to achieve in the next 5 years
What are your goals when applying for this job
What are your long-term career goals

… they probably do understand that you might not have everything planned out for the years to come.

We could indeed argue that rigid planning no longer makes sense.

Nowadays, we’re seeing rapid changes in technologies and job markets. Just remember the pandemic, ChatGPT craze, and The Great Resignation, for example. There are too many factors at play and making strict plans in such a climate might now always be a good idea.

Additionally, the gig economy and remote work are becoming increasingly popular. A lot of work can be outsourced and given to anyone, anywhere on the planet. There are way fewer office limitations.

So when recruiters ask you this question, aim to display your planning and long-term thinking skills but leave some room for flexibility and adaptability. It could show you’ve taken into account even the elements you can’t predict, and it will bring bonus points.

Summary of the Main Points

Recruiters ask “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” to check your long-term thinking and career goals, as well as how they fit with the company goals.
Emphasize this alignment and show why this collaboration would be fruitful for both you and the company.
Demonstrate your commitment to continual learning and the ability to successfully navigate changes (being flexible).
Be clear about your career goals and show interest in the company you applied for, but don’t be too specific, don’t overshare your personal goals, and don’t overpromise on your goals.
Tailor your answer to the specific job opening and practice your response.

We hope these tips will help you make the most of your answer.

___________________

Need a hand? There are 3 ways we can help you:

Learn how to answer the dreaded “Why do you want to work here” question and wow hiring managers.
Learn how to turn more job interviews into job offers here . (Rated with 4.9/5 by 1,000,000 users).
Use our Resume AI tool to instantly improve your resume

What if the interviewer asks about where I see myself in 2 years?

Focus on your goals and the skills you wish to acquire that align with the company’s objectives. Emphasize how you plan to contribute to the company’s success and professional growth in that time frame.

What if they ask about where I see myself in 10 years?

Share a long-term vision of your career growth while being flexible, as industries can change rapidly. Demonstrate how you intend to grow within the company and how its growth aligns with your professional aspirations.

What if I don’t have a 5-year plan for myself?

Develop a general but flexible plan that demonstrates your ambition and commitment to growth. Identify the skills you want to develop and where you want to make an impact in the company or industry, leaving room for change as circumstances evolve.

Isn’t the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” question a bit old-school?

While it may seem old-school, this question assesses your ambition, commitment, and compatibility with the company’s future plans. An effective response shows your understanding of the industry, your professional goals, and how well you align with the company.

Do I need to tell them that my plan is to stay with them for the next 5 years?

Show your interest in staying by articulating how you see the company helping you grow professionally and how you plan to contribute to its growth. Conveying mutual benefit and long-term commitment, without rigidly locking yourself in, is key.

What if, within the next 5 years, I plan a career break to start a family? Do I disclose that?

Focus on your professional goals while being mindful of any legal rights or company policies about family planning. Don’t feel obliged to disclose personal plans, but emphasize commitment and dedication to the job during your time with the company.

What if I know I’ll no longer work for them 5 years from now? Do I lie?

Rather than lying, frame your response around your professional growth, immediate goals, and how you can contribute to their company. Focus on the mutual benefits you can bring each other during your time together.

Maja Stojanovic

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How to Answer: "Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?"

What the Interviewer Wants to Know

Tips for Answering the Question

Examples of the Best Answers

Possible follow-up questions.

More Common Interview Questions

What are your career plans? If you haven't thought much about the future, it's a good idea to consider it because you may be asked about it during job interviews. When you are interviewing for a new job, you may be asked a question such as, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” or "Where do you see yourself in ten years?"

it can be hard to articulate where you would like to be in your career next year, let alone five years (or longer) down the road. But even when you do know, it's important to be careful how you respond because you'll need to tailor your answer to the job for which you are interviewing.

This popular interview question helps interviewers and hiring managers get a sense of how your career goals align with the company's goals. It also helps them gauge whether you’re likely to have a long tenure at their company or if you’ll probably leave after just a few months or a year on the job.

Even if you plan on moving on relatively quickly, keep that information to yourself.

How to Answer "Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?"

Questions about your future plans can be tricky to answer—you need to be honest in your response, but also keep it relevant to the job and industry. For example, don't share your five-year goal to publish a novel if you're interviewing for an accountant position.

Don't say this: My long-term goal is to leave the ad agency world and concentrate on my writing. I’m working on a novel right now that’s generated interest among a few agents. Hopefully, I’ll sign with someone soon.

However, it is important have a solid answer. Responding poorly or being vague in your response could make interviewers believe that you're not invested in your career, aren't a good fit for the company, or are covering something up. Here are tips for responding to questions about the next stage of your career, while affirming your interest in the role you are being interviewed for.

Watch Now: How to Answer "Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?"

Review these options for giving the best answers for questions about the future, along with examples you can tailor to fit your own circumstances.

Outline a Career Path

In order to prepare well for this question, research a reasonable career path that will flow from the position for which you are applying. How long does one ordinarily spend in that job? What are the next steps within five years?

Some employers will clearly outline pathways in the career section of their website. However, you may need to approach professionals in the field through alumni, family, friends, or professional associations to gain an accurate picture.

For example, if you’re a registered nurse applying for a clinical nursing position at a hospital, and your goal is to someday move into management, you should research the organization to see whether nurses typically work their way into nurse manager roles.

Start by looking for nurse manager openings on the company’s careers site, to confirm that the company is actively hiring. Then look at LinkedIn profiles of nurse managers currently working at the hospital. If this is a likely career path, your research should show that employees typically make that move.

I’m eager to continue developing my clinical skills as a member of this unit. I’ve also noticed that many nurse managers at City Hospital move from staff nurse to nurse manager, and that’s something that interests me as part of my five-year plan.

Discuss Your Interest in This Job

It’s often advantageous to emphasize your interest in thoroughly mastering the initial position before moving on. If it seems like you are rushing past that first job, employers might question how motivated you are to carry out those duties.

After all, the hiring manager will probably want someone who’ll be happy and competent in that role for at least a year or two.

Integrating a clear rationale into your answer about how your interests and skills equip you to do the role can help to alleviate any concerns about how long you’ll want to stay in the job.

One of the things that drew me to this job is the opportunity to wear many hats. As the real estate agency’s administrative assistant, I know I’d have plenty of scope to continue building my customer service skills as well as a chance to put my web design abilities to use in refining the company website. I’m also excited to learn more about the business from the most highly regarded agents in the industry.

When There is No Clear Career Path

Not all jobs are stepping stones to higher positions. For example, with positions such as counseling, sales, event planning, teaching, and computer programming, it’s perfectly appropriate to emphasize mastery of that job as your five-year goal.

Think about components of the job in which you can excel. For example, when interviewing for a sales job, you could say:

Within five years, I would like to be recognized as an expert in terms of product knowledge, have developed very close relationships with clients, have significantly expanded the client base in my region, and perhaps have been assigned some major national clients.

An answer like that shows that your desire for career growth doesn’t need to occur outside of job and the company.

State Your Goals as Results

Stating your goals in terms of results that you would like to produce is another angle for responding. For example, a prospective teacher for a district that is trying to upgrade performance on standardized tests might say:

I would like to significantly increase the percentage of students reading at or above grade level through creative instructional methods.

Of course, with an answer like this, you’ll need to be able to share some examples of how you would achieve this.

Moving Up the Career Ladder

There are a few jobs where you’re expected to move on after a couple of years, including some analyst positions in investment banking and consulting, and legal and scientific research assistant positions (for new college grads).

In these cases, you’ll have more leeway in your answers, but you still want to establish how the job at hand makes sense given the skills and interests you can bring to the employer.

How long do you plan on working here? - Best Answers
What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? - Best Answers
What are your goals for the next five years/ten years? - Best Answers
How do you plan to achieve those goals? - Best Answers
Questions about your career goals. - Best Answers

Where do I see myself in 5 years?

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College essay

How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples

Published on September 21, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability. Your essay shouldn’t just be a resume of your experiences; colleges are looking for a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

To write about your achievements and qualities without sounding arrogant, use specific stories to illustrate them. You can also write about challenges you’ve faced or mistakes you’ve made to show vulnerability and personal growth.

Start with self-reflection, how to write about challenges and mistakes, how to write about your achievements and qualities, how to write about a cliché experience, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Before you start writing, spend some time reflecting to identify your values and qualities. You should do a comprehensive brainstorming session, but here are a few questions to get you started:

What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
Whom do you admire most and why?
What are the top five things you are thankful for?
What has inspired your hobbies or future goals?
What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

As you self-reflect, consider how your values and goals reflect your prospective university’s program and culture, and brainstorm stories that demonstrate the fit between the two.

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Writing about difficult experiences can be an effective way to show authenticity and create an emotional connection to the reader, but choose carefully which details to share, and aim to demonstrate how the experience helped you learn and grow.

Be vulnerable

It’s not necessary to have a tragic story or a huge confession. But you should openly share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Even a cliché or mundane topic can be made interesting with honest reflection. This honesty is a preface to self-reflection and insight in the essay’s conclusion.

Don’t overshare

With difficult topics, you shouldn’t focus too much on negative aspects. Instead, use your challenging circumstances as a brief introduction to how you responded positively.

Share what you have learned

It’s okay to include your failure or mistakes in your essay if you include a lesson learned. After telling a descriptive, honest story, you should explain what you learned and how you applied it to your life.

While it’s good to sell your strengths, you also don’t want to come across as arrogant. Instead of just stating your extracurricular activities, achievements, or personal qualities, aim to discreetly incorporate them into your story.

Brag indirectly

Mention your extracurricular activities or awards in passing, not outright, to avoid sounding like you’re bragging from a resume.

Use stories to prove your qualities

Even if you don’t have any impressive academic achievements or extracurriculars, you can still demonstrate your academic or personal character. But you should use personal examples to provide proof. In other words, show evidence of your character instead of just telling.

Many high school students write about common topics such as sports, volunteer work, or their family. Your essay topic doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but do try to include unexpected personal details and your authentic voice to make your essay stand out .

To find an original angle, try these techniques:

Focus on a specific moment, and describe the scene using your five senses.
Mention objects that have special significance to you.
Instead of following a common story arc, include a surprising twist or insight.

Your unique voice can shed new perspective on a common human experience while also revealing your personality. When read out loud, the essay should sound like you are talking.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

Writing process
Transition words
Passive voice
Paraphrasing

Communication

How to end an email
Ms, mrs, miss
How to start an email
I hope this email finds you well
Hope you are doing well

Parts of speech

Personal pronouns
Conjunctions

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

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Courault, K. (2023, May 31). How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved June 17, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/write-about-yourself/

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Where do i See myself in 5 Years

This essay will provide guidance on envisioning and planning for one’s future, specifically looking at a five-year timeframe. It will discuss the importance of setting personal and professional goals, considering potential changes and opportunities, and preparing for unforeseen challenges. The piece will offer tips on goal-setting, self-assessment, and creating a realistic yet ambitious plan for personal growth and achievement. At PapersOwl too, you can discover numerous free essay illustrations related to Myself.

How it works

The world is changing so quickly that it is very difficult to predict exactly where I will be in 5 years. Therefore, I decided for myself that I would use the following rules in order to live the most successful and balanced life. Of course, I am sure that my career will be successful, but in what direction it will go I cannot predict because I trust life. Over the semester we have discussed many informative and valuable information that I will continue to use throughout my college career.

Although I have enjoyed every topic that we went over, there were three main topics that I think hold the most value to me. These three topics are strategies that I can still see myself using two to three years from now, and still holding up to their value. These strategies are from a book called “Teach Yourself How to Learn” by Saundra Yancy McGuire with Stephanie McGuire. This book was highly recommended and was truly a great book.

The first strategy that I enjoyed during the semester was The Study cycle. The Study Cycle is a five-step guide on how to prepare for a class and an exam. The five steps of the study cycle are: preview, attend the class, review, do the intense study session, and assess. This study cycle is my favorite strategy because this is so helpful in so many ways. I used to do step one, preview before class, in high school but I was not doing it correctly. Now after reading the Dr.McGuire book, I have a better understanding on how to properly preview before class with extra steps added on. After learning the steps to the study cycle, I have been using it to help me prepare for my classes, and I am using the intense study session to help me study for my final exams. This strategy has added great value to my studying, and I believe that it will help me stay on top of my classes in the future.

The next strategy I want to discuss is a Growth mindset. A growth mindset is when a person believes that their intelligence can be enhanced and grow over time; that they are not born with all the knowledge that they can have, but that they can always achieve at learning new things with the right effort. Having a growth mindset is a great thing to have when you want to achieve something, and finishing college is something I want to achieve. If I continue to have a growth mindset, then I know personally that everything I want to accomplish in life I can do it. That I know if I struggle with something, I can get better if I just work harder and not feel the feeling of defeat. Learning about growth mindset was by far my favorite, and I have been using growth mindset with some of the classes that I want to get better at over time. This is a strategy I know I can use throughout college and after college. This was my first time learning about growth mindset, and I am glad that I learned about this my freshman year in college because I know that the next three years of my academic career is going to be challenging, and I am going to need to have a growth mindset to push through.

The last strategy is the peer-to-peer teaching. The concept of peer-to-peer teaching is to know a material so well that you can fully teach it to someone else. This strategy is so helpful because you might think that you really understand a topic, but when you try to explain it to someone else you, realize that you do not know it as well as you thought you did. Using peer-to-peer strategy in the future will be very helpful for me because I will know that if I can’t talk out how to do something, then I really do not understand the material. With learning that I do not truly know the material, I know that I probably need to study more on that certain subject. Also doing the peer-to-peer teaching in class was kind of fun to do. It was something new, and I enjoyed teaching different topics to my classmates.

Overall, I have learned many strategies that can help lead me to success. I have many tips and resources to help me along the way of my college career, and I plan to take full advantage of everything I learned from the course. At first, I was not really looking forward to taking this class, but now I am glad that did because I have really enjoyed every part of this class, and I have gained so much knowledge. I know that I have a lot of schooling ahead of me, but with these strategies, I feel more prepared than I felt coming into college. Now that I have these amazing strategies, it’s all up to me now to apply everything that I learned and be the best I can be.

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Why Do Interviewers Ask, 'Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?'
Tips for Answering, 'Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?'
Sample Answer for, 'Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?'
How Not to Answer, 'Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?'

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

How to answer: ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years’.

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Forage puts students first. Our blog articles are written independently by our editorial team. They have not been paid for or sponsored by our partners. See our full editorial guidelines .

As you prepare for your interview, you know you’ll probably be asked about your strengths and weaknesses and to tell the interviewer about yourself . But did you know that another common interview question you may encounter is, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” It’s true — interviewers often want a glimpse into your future professional plans.

So, where do you see yourself in five years? How do you explain that to the hiring manager in a way that makes it clear you want the job, have a lot to offer, and aren’t going to jump ship in a few months? And what if you have no idea where you want to be in five minutes, let alone five years?

Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Here’s why employers ask, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years,” along with some great tips for answering.

Why Do Interviewers Ask, ‘Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?’

Even though the interviewer probably suspects you’ve prepared for this question, they may ask it anyway. Why?

“Employers ask about your five-year plan to assess your long-term goals and career aspirations,” says career coach Jan Tegze. “They want to understand your ambition and see if you have a clear career path in mind. It also helps them evaluate if your career objectives and potential growth align with the opportunities within the organization.” If you’re looking for something high-impact that offers promotions regularly, but this company can’t give you that, you likely won’t be happy in the long run.

And given that in 2022, the average length of time someone stayed in a job was 4.1 years, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), asking where you see yourself in five years makes perfect sense! The interviewer may be wondering if you’re going to use this job “for now” and leave when something else comes along.

But “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” may not be the exact question you’re asked. The hiring manager may also phrase it as:

What is your five-year plan?
What are your short (or long) term career goals?
Why did you apply for this position?

In short, anything that asks about your career plans is asking how you see your career evolving in the future.

Tips for Answering, ‘Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?’

To best answer, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” you need to analyze your career plans and find a way to explain how this particular position helps you accomplish your goals, without making it sound like this job is a temporary arrangement. Here’s how to get started.

Think About Your Goals

Start with your career goals. Have your figured out what career you want to pursue or what industry you want to work in? And, if you have, have you identified and set SMART goals to help you know what steps you need to accomplish to get where you want to go? How does this job help you achieve those goals?

If you don’t have a career plan or specific goals, that’s OK. That may be why you’re applying for the job or internship : to learn more about the industry and the job.

Make Your Answer Relevant to the Role

Once you’ve identified your goals, you can frame your answer around the specific role. You’ll want to explain how this job will help you take the next step in your career. So, if you know you want to be a QA analyst in five years, you can explain how working as a QA tester is the first step to getting there.

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What Will You Get Out of It?

As a rule, you’re supposed to talk about your skills and abilities and how you’ll use them on the job, not about what you’ll get out of the job. But this is one case where you can (mostly) ignore the rules!

Expert words of advice

Be yourself and let them know you’re open to exploring opportunities within the company. Express your excitement about where these opportunities might lead. — Jan Tegze, career coach

When explaining where you see yourself in five or even ten years, you can mention a skill or area you hope to develop. If your data analysis skills are fair, for example, you can mention how you hope to build and strengthen that skill in the role you’re applying for. Likewise, you can mention that you’re strong in X skills and want to learn skills Y and Z in the next few years to complement your existing skill set.

Don’t Be Too Specific

Though employers don’t necessarily expect you to stay in an entry-level role for five years, you also don’t want them to think that this particular job is a brief stop on your way to bigger things. “Avoid answers that hint you may not be with the company long-term, such as aspirations to start your own business or moving to a place where the company doesn’t operate,” says Tegze.

Be Authentic

When the interviewer asks where you see yourself in five years, you may feel pressured to give a detailed answer about your hopes and dreams. But not everyone has their career planned out in such detail, and that’s OK!

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If you’re not sure where you’re going to be in five years, say so. It’s better to give an authentic, honest answer than blurt out some answer that sounds good but maybe doesn’t feel true to you. The trick is to explain how you think this job will help you figure things out and get a clearer idea of where you want to be five years from now.

“Mention that you’re keen to develop certain skills, take on new responsibilities, or master specific roles. This shows you’re eager to grow, even if you’re unsure of the exact position you want,” says Tegze.

>>MORE: What Is a Growth Mindset?

He also suggests you can share what’s important to you professionally. “For instance, you might say you want to be in a role where you’re making a meaningful difference, collaborating with a team, or leading projects.”

Sample Answer for, ‘Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?’

The best answer to the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” interview question will vary depending on your situation. However, Tegze offers two formulas to help you come up with a genuine answer:

I see myself further honing my skills in [specific area ], taking on larger projects, possibly in a leadership role, ensuring I contribute significantly to [company goal] .
In five years, I see myself excelling as [your future role] , further developing my expertise in [specific skill or area] , and making substantial contributions to [specific project or domain] .

Here’s what that can sound like:

In five years, I’d like to move into a product design role. I started in software engineering , and it turns out that wasn’t the best choice for me. I moved over to UX design because it allowed me to use my coding skills but in a more creative capacity. As I’ve been in UX design, I’ve discovered I want to have a much bigger say in the overall product design, and this role is the next step on that journey.

In five years, I’d like to be in venture capital . While I have a lot of experience in an analyst role, I don’t have as much experience in the research side of things. So, this role will help me build and develop my research skills, and that will complement my analyst abilities.

I’m not exactly sure where I want to be in five years! But I’ve always liked working with data and numbers. It’s what I majored in, and I did a few virtual job simulations in data visualization to get a feel for the different career options open to me. This role allows me to dabble in a few things: data visualization, data analysis, coding, and even training an AI model. This job will let me try everything and hopefully figure out what I want to focus my career on.

How Not to Answer, ‘Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?’

A good answer to “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” is balanced. It explains why you’re pursuing this particular job while also making it clear you plan on sticking around for a while.

Inadequate answers don’t have this balance and are often the kinds of things employers don’t want to hear. Here’s how not to answer, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years.”

‘I Don’t Know’

Even though being unsure of your five-year plan is OK (it really is!), you can’t say, “I don’t know,” shrug your shoulders, and leave it at that. “While you don’t have to provide a detailed roadmap, simply saying ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I haven’t thought about it’ can make you appear unambitious or disinterested in your own career,” cautions Tegze.

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‘You Tell Me’

While it’s true that many employers have a specific career path you can follow, that doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. It’s one thing to ask the interviewer what kinds of professional development opportunities the company offers. But it’s another to essentially ask the interviewer to figure out your five-year career plan for you!

‘In Your Job’

Whether or not you mean this as a joke, it’s not going to land well. Implying that you’re going after your supervisor’s role, or plan on running the whole department or company, can come off as arrogant or unrealistic, warns Tegze, unless you’re positive that bold statements and ambition are what the company wants in candidates.

‘Somewhere Else’

While entry-level and even some mid-level roles are stepping stones in your career, employers don’t want to hear that you’re planning your exit before you’ve even accepted the job. You need to make it clear that you’re planning on sticking around, even if it’s not in the same role you start in.

Though your hope might be that in five years you’re on the beach drinking margaritas, in a job interview, you want to explain how this particular role helps you accomplish your professional goals. Talk about what you hope to learn from the job and the company and how that will help you grow as an employee.

You can also work toward your career goals by enrolling in a virtual job simulation. Whether you know exactly what you want to do and hope to demonstrate your abilities to a potential employer, or you have no idea what comes next and want to test the waters of a few careers, Forage has hundreds of free job simulations that can help you find the career that’s right for you. Try one today !

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Teacher job interview: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Different roles offer different possibilities for career growth . People who strive for constant promotion and a new job every two years, with better salary and benefits each time, do not typically apply for teaching jobs . They study management or marketing or finance, and try their luck in multi-billion dollar corporations , starting with an entry level position and hoping to make it really big one day, leading a team of hundred people, or perhaps the entire company.

Things work differently in the world of teachers and education administrators , with limited career growth options. Sure enough, you can become a head of a department or even a school principal down the road. But each school needs just one principal and dozens of teachers, and this career path is rather an exception than a rule. In fact it is not uncommon to see someone teaching for thirty or forty years straight , sometimes at the same school. What should you say in an interview though?

Should you show ambition to grow and lead the entire school one day? Or should you perhaps focus on something else while responding to questions about your future? We will try to find out the answers in this article. And let me start directly with 7 sample answers to the question. Before we look at them, I just want to emphasize that the answers will work equally well for a typical alternative wording of this question “ How do you picture yourself as a teacher of the future? “, as well as on an essay you sometimes have to write as a part of your job application or study program application. Let’s move to the answers :).

7 sample answers to “Where do you see yourself in five years from now?” interview question for teachers

I see myself teaching here . But I won’t be the same teacher in five years from now. I will get better with each year of experience , perfect my teaching methods, and achieve better results with my students. Or at least that’s what I aspire to do , if you give me a chance to teach here. Because I believe that good teachers never stop learning and trying new things. Education evolves and children change, and we have to adapt to the changes. And I must say I am looking forward to the process.
Five years from now? Well, I’d love to work as a head of foreign language department here . I know it is an ambitious goal, and I have to prove my teaching and organizational skills to have a chance to get the position. But five years is a long time, and I believe it is good to have a goal , one which motivates us to continue working on our skills and strengths, and become the best teachers we can eventually become. What’s more, I have some interesting ideas when it comes to teaching foreign language , and it would be great to have a chance to apply them in practice, and achieve better results with the students. Working as a head of department will allow me to apply these ideas to the educational process in the classes.
Speaking honestly, I do not have any plans . I prefer to live in a present moment , and focus on a task at hand. Right now my goal is to get a teaching job here, and try my best in every lesson . One of the most important things I’ve learned in life is that when you take care of the present, the future will take care of itself . And that’s exactly my attitude to teaching and future goals. I will try my best, and let’s see what doors will open to me in five years from now.
I honestly believe that we live unpredictable times , and it is foolish to make plans for five years ahead. The pandemic isn’t over yet, and it is unclear how the education will look like in the future, and the impact it will have on teachers. So I do not really see any clear picture of my career in five years from now. One thing is clear though: I want to teach , because that’s what I love to do and consider my personal mission . Whether I will teach here, or somewhere else, or even distantly, is something nobody can predict now, with the uncertainty we face. But I do not see it as something utterly negative. I accept things as they are, and hope for the best.
I am quite ambitious and I hope to work as a school principal in five years from now . And why not? I’ve been teaching for twenty years already , I’ve been working on my education in the last seven years, and I believe to have the capacity to lead the entire school , and achieve great results. Of course, it isn’t an only option, and I won’t be discouraged if my career takes a different course . At the end of the day we do not control everything, and a fitting position may not be available. In any case, I want to continue trying my best and proving my capabilities. If I succeed to do so, interesting things may happen five years down the road.
In five years from now I see myself on a maternity leave . Of course it is a long time ahead, and I do not even have a partner today . But like most women I dream of having children, and in five years from now I will be glad to have my first child. And then the second one and then hopefully I will return to teaching . Having said that, anything can happen in five years. I may have a child and I may not, and I may still be teaching Math and Chemistry. In any case, I hope to become a better teacher and a better person over the years, which is my primary goal.
I see myself as a positive role model for many children at this school. And I hope to be an integral part of an amazing team you have in place , having good relationship with my colleagues, and helping them with whatever they may need. I see myself satisfied with my work, yet eager to keep improving and reinventing myself as a teacher. That’s where I see myself in five years from now, and I must tell you I love this vision, and will do whatever I can to attain it .

Special Tip : This isn’t the only tricky question you will face in your interview. Check out a great eBook, the Teacher Interview Guide , from Glen, one of the core authors on Interview Penguin. Brilliant sample answers to every possible teacher interview question will make your life easy on the big day…

Positive outlook on the future is pivotal

Regardless of whether you aim for promotion, or simply want to continue teaching and enjoying time with your students, regardless of whether you see yourself spearheading the entire school, or envision being on a maternity leave in five years as a future teacher, the key is to stay positive about the future .

Because the last thing schools want is to hire negative teachers who will only complain about everything and bring their negativity to both classroom and staff-room. Talk with enthusiasm about your future in teaching and what’s ahead. Because it is great to dream and a powerful vision can drive us forward even in the most difficult times.

Living in the present is another option

At the end of the day, everything happens in the present moment . Future is just an imagination, past a memory. When thinking about the future or the past, we also do it in the present… And unless you do a great job today , in this hour, this minute, this second, you will hardly achieve your lofty goals in five years from now.

Hence you can focus on the present in your answer, even though they are inquiring about the future. Check answer no. 3 on my list for inspiration. Trying your best in every classroom and taking care of the present, you do not have to be afraid of the future. Because law of action and reaction cannot be broken , and if you do a great job, you will be rewarded for it. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you will become a principal or earn more money. But you will get your reward, in one form or another…

Outline your proposed roadmap for teaching and research for the next five years

Before ending this article, I want to touch on this specific alternative of the question. It is quite common in some countries in teaching interviews in higher education , especially when you want to teach at a university . Working at a university, you will always do some research. Hence it is important to have some plan, to know what you want to dedicate yourself to . I suggest you to think about the principal subject of your research, and prepare an explanation on how it aligns with your teaching and career goals .

You can also talk about some innovation you want to bring to the classroom, or about some specific goals you want to achieve with your students , based on the results (and struggles) you’ve had during your teaching career so far. At the end of the day, you do not have to stick to this plan later on. Once you try get a job, however, you should have some plan on your mind. No doubt the last thing you want to do is to answer their questions with silence .

Ready to answer the questions about your teaching future ? I hope so! do not forget to check also other tricky interview questions for teachers:

Why do you want to be a teacher?
Why do you want to work for our school district?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher?
Please tell us more about your teaching experience .
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Helping and Inspiring You to Live an Epic Life

What I Would Say to Myself 5 Years Ago and 5 Years from Now

posted on June 8, 2011

This is part of the a month long project called #Trust30 . On their homepage they describe it as

“…an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey.”

For today’s question, I decided to share it. I felt this could inspire you to take a look at the question and find your own answers.

What would you say to the person you were five years ago?

What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

Today’s question happened to be asked by Corbett Barr , who I’ve mentioned here .

I decided to write it as a letter to myself five years ago and looking at myself five years from now.

Dear Benny,

I’m writing you this letter from the future. Don’t throw it away. Don’t try and understand how it’s possible. The important thing is to read what I have to say. That’s all you need to understand.

You should do more with your life. If you keep doing what you’re doing now, you’re going to be miserable for the next five years. In five years from now, you’re only beginning to realize your potential in life. Start now. Don’t wait.

For too long you’ve been unhappy with where you work. You’ve been looking for more to your life. The reason you’ve been looking so long is because you’ve been too safe. You were afraid to try new things for fear of failing.

There is no success without failure . If you look at some of the most successful people they have failed numerous times. They didn’t give up because they believed in what they were doing. Don’t let failure stop you.

Take care of your body better. You’ll go through phases where you gain weight and lose weight but stay consistent and healthy . You do your best work when you’re exercising and eating right.

Don’t think buying more things will make you happier. The definition of success isn’t shown by the things you own. Even if you buy a nicer car or a bigger television won’t make you happy for long. In five years, you’ll have a house full of crap you don’t care about.

Surround yourself with inspiring people . Think about the people you hang out with now. Are they the type of people you would want to be? If you can’t find them, look online because there are so many amazing genuine people there.

Read more books. Read for pleasure but read more books that will teach you.

Don’t try and multitask. You’re terrible at it. Focus on one task at a time without distraction . You’ll get more done in less time. Trust me it’s taken me five years to figure that out. I’m going to save you some time.

I know you love to watch TV but limit it to only shows you truly love to watch. Cut out the rest.

Don’t complain about not having time to do things. Everyone has 24 hours in a day. Instead of making a to do list, try to make a list of things you shouldn’t do so you have more time.

Be thankful for what you have and you’ll have more. Thinking of what you don’t have will only keep bringing you nothing. You won’t believe how powerful gratitude is . It’s changing my life everyday as I write this. It can improve your health, wealth and relationships. Besides, life is a gift and you should be most thankful for that.

If you don’t like yourself, then nobody will like you. How do you expect to be a person everyone wants to be around when you don’t even like yourself? Start by changing your attitude about yourself and only then will people be drawn towards you.

Your thoughts are more powerful than you think. How you think you are is the type of person you will be. The outcome you envision in your mind will be the outcome you attract.

That inner voice you have? Shut him up.

There’s only one Benny Hsu in this world. I want you to live life the way you want to. Feel happy every day. I’ve had periods of wondering if life will get any better. Listen to me, it will.

Finally no matter what you do these next five years , make sure in May 2007 you go to Taipei and stay there for 21 months. Be sure on August 8, 2008 you go out with your kickboxing friends to a small club cause you’ll meet the woman of your dreams named Eleanor. Don’t worry she won’t act interested at first but by the end of the night, both your lives will never be the same.

See you in five years.

P.S. Here’s a sneak peak at Eleanor. Beautiful isn’t she? Her personality is even better.

Five Years from Now

Question: What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

Wow Benny you look great! You look so fit and healthy. You look better than five years ago. You actually look younger but I don’t know how that’s possible. Are you sure you didn’t do Botox? Ok I believe you.

I’m happy the hard worked paid off you and found what it is that you love to do . I can feel the passion when I talk with you. You always tell me you wake up every day and feel so happy. That’s amazing.

I’ve never seen you happier. Five years ago I imagined life would be good but not in my wildest dreams did I think it would be like this!

Just think in October 2010 you had your breaking point and started to make changes in your life.

You walk differently, you talk differently, and you think differently since then. All in a good way!

Your child is so adorable. Thankfully your child looks like Eleanor and not you. You know I’m kidding right? Ok..I’m not kidding but you understand!

You and Eleanor are the perfect couple and you both act like you just started dating. I knew when I met her she was the perfect one. Five years later I couldn’t be more correct.

I’m proud of what you have done. It makes me feel good to know the work you started five years earlier is paying off.

Just remember to be thankful every day and don’t take life for granted. Take care of your body and your mind. Continue to love yourself, love your family and your friends.

Keep inspiring people and touch lives every day. Your impact in other people’s lives is truly wonderful.

I’m going to work hard these new five years so I will make sure I’m matching how I want my life to be five years from now.

Till I get there, keep my seat warm.

I hope you take the time to write the answers for yourself. It can be short. I can be long. It can be private or on your blog. Answer it however you want.

Also if you’re hoping to learn more about yourself and get better at writing, join #Trust30 at Ralphwaldoemerson.me .

I think you’ll find only positive benefits by learning about yourself from writing each day.

Thank you for taking the time to read my “letters” and hope it’s inspired you in some way.

Reader Interactions

June 8, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Awesome post Benny. I especially like the advice of making a list of things you SHOULDN’T do so you have more time. That’s a good approach. That way you don’t always feel like your to-do list is always unfinished. Might be an approach I should try.

June 8, 2011 at 12:26 pm

I think decided what NOT to do is as important as deciding what to do. The little things that “seem” productive but aren’t destroy me!

June 8, 2011 at 12:42 pm

Tell me about it Graham! I know all too well about doing things I “think” are important but are not. There’s a time for those “fun” things but if we’ve gotta get stuff done, it’s kills us!

June 8, 2011 at 12:38 pm

Thanks Eugene! It’s definitely something I have been doing this year. Figuring out what I should not be doing so I have more time to do what I should.

June 8, 2011 at 12:24 pm

This is pretty intense. I love it! The part about Eleanor was awesome!

June 8, 2011 at 12:40 pm

Hahaha…thanks Graham! I was thinking of “Back to the Future” when I added that part about Eleanor. Of course I wish I did so many things differently in the last five years but that’s one thing I wouldn’t change at all.

June 8, 2011 at 12:48 pm

I like the letter format! Thanks for sharing…it has been interesting to read other people’s responses to the prompts.

June 8, 2011 at 12:59 pm

Thanks for stopping by Lindsay. I debated on how to write it and the letter format made it easier to write to myself.

Trust #30 is a pretty cool project and glad I’m doing it too! I’ve missed a couple days though. shhhh don’t tell anyone.

June 8, 2011 at 12:52 pm

Wow Benny this is really awesome!

I like both exercises. The first letter, helps you understand who you were before, expose your weak points and what things you right and things you did wrong.

On the other hand, the second letter is your future self. Who you want to be? Where you want to go? What you want to accomplish? and Where you are now?

This exercise will be useful if you take action immediately because it’s reenergizes you and motivates you to do your best but if you don’t act on it immediately it will just be a waste of time.

Did you guys get married already? You should, She’s so Beautiful. Congrats!

June 8, 2011 at 1:00 pm

Thanks Armand! Writing it definitely helped me to know what I need to do to get where I want and how I envision my life in 5 years.

No we’re not married yet. Later this year. Thanks Armand!

June 13, 2011 at 10:52 am

Cheers to that and Congratulations to you!

June 8, 2011 at 1:20 pm

Benny, found your site “accidentally” (though I don’t believe in coincidence) on Twitter…so glad I did.

I’ve been participating in the #Trust30 challenge too. Really enjoyed the way you wrote letters to yourself

I’m so thankful that you started making the changes you wanted to last fall. I’ve been in the same place–miserable at work, etc–and finally got to the breaking point. I wrote a book about the process and it’s been a great adventure since.

You’re definitely on the right track! Keep pursuing the life you desire. Your story is an inspiration!

June 8, 2011 at 11:25 pm

Thanks Steve. I thought a letter would make it easier for myself to express what I wanted to say. I’m with you on the breaking point. Wished I took action sooner but can’t dwell on it.

That’s amazing you have a book in paperback and selling on the Kindle. What a great accomplishment!

June 8, 2011 at 7:40 pm

Hey Benny, Great way to keep ourselves in check. Your wife is Gorgeous by the way you lucky dog.

June 8, 2011 at 11:22 pm

Hahaha..thanks Justin! I am a lucky dog. I tell her everyday. 🙂

June 8, 2011 at 7:54 pm

This is sooo COOL! and also very valuable.

I’m going to start writing a littler letter to past me and future me. I’m already full of ideas what I want to say to my former self and what I look forward to seeing in future me.

This part of the letter resonated so much with me:

“You should do more with your life. If you keep doing what you’re doing now, you’re going to be miserable for the next five years. In five years from now, you’re only beginning to realize your potential in life. Start now. Don’t wait. ”

I wish I could go back in time and tell myself exactly that! Change what I don’t like in life. Flip things around and start taking action towards a fulfilling my true potential. Instead of procrastinating about stuff and letting my emotions getting the better of me.

June 8, 2011 at 11:21 pm

Try it Allan and I think you’ll find a lot about yourself.

Also take a look at the #Trust30 homepage and see the different daily topics. It’s a great exercise to find out more about yourself.

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

June 9, 2011 at 8:54 am

Benny, Another thought provoking blog. The letters to yourself is awesome!

I’ve heard it said that we will be 5 years older, either way we decide to go. I can be more productive, outgoing and creative during a 5 year period, or I can become a couch potato and do nothing for the next 5 years, either way I will still be 5 years older.

The productive, outgoing and creative path is the one that I have chosen.

June 9, 2011 at 9:34 am

Thank you so much Ellene!

You make a great point that I have read before too. We’re going to be 5 years older in 5 years so decide how to live those next five years.

You’ve made a wonderful choice and am happy you live your life that way. 🙂

June 9, 2011 at 10:15 am

Really awesome post, Benny.

I actually did an exercise like this (from the future, looking back… not writing from now to the past) when I was trying to pick up the pieces from my collapsed start-up, and it was a very helpful process.

Thanks for the reminder! 🙂

June 9, 2011 at 3:45 pm

Thanks Danny. I’m glad I did this exercise to give myself reminders on what I should be doing and how I envision my future to be.

Writing out feelings and problems does help in tough times. I’ve some some free writing exercises like this and it’s helped.

I don’t doubt that you’ll be stronger for it. I know you work your butt off and know it’ll pay off. Ill be able to say, ” I remember Danny when…”

Thanks for coming by Danny!

June 9, 2011 at 2:42 pm

HAHAHA hilarious. Congrats again on the upcoming wedding. You lucky lucky man.

This post idea is too good. I might steal it for a future post on my site.

June 9, 2011 at 3:50 pm

I am a lucky bastard for sure. 🙂

You should try answering these questions for sure. It’ll help! Look forward to reading it on your blog!

June 9, 2011 at 3:04 pm

First off Benny – let me say that the picture you shared of you and Eleanor is worthy of covering any magazine. That’s a great picture man; elegant and confident.

I don’t think I’ve ever done a similar exercise as this one. I’m going to have to give this a shot. More than anything I’m interested in what I would say to myself when after really putting thought to it.

Thanks for sharing this Benny. I wish you the best of luck in every single one of your aspirations.

June 9, 2011 at 3:57 pm

Thanks JK! We’ve got some amazing comments on the whole set when we put them on FB. We loved the pictures and had friends raving about them. We didn’t know people would love them that much.

I had more fun getting dressed up and taking the photos than she did. Isn’t it usually the other way around? 🙂

Take a look at the link and look at all the prompts they’ve given so far. For example the first day was if we only had 15 mins to live, write the story we want to write. I’m looking forward to doing it for 30 days.

Thanks for reading it JK and sharing your thoughts. Always appreciate it!

June 9, 2011 at 4:57 pm

This was great Benny. Really enjoyed it and thanks for sharing.

I am planning on doing one for my own blog in the near future!

June 10, 2011 at 12:32 am

Thanks Adam! You should. It’ll help you out. 🙂

Thanks for leaving a comment.

June 10, 2011 at 1:08 am

Wow, this was fantastic Benny.

I feel like you were, in part, writing to me. I felt very much inspired by this post. It was clear, and had a perfect meaning.

To improve life!

We grow principal upon principal, precept upon precept – and often it just takes that time to help us grow and learn. I know it sure takes time for me! Because I’m stubborn.

June 10, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Thank you my friend! I’m glad this post was inspiring to you. I didn’t want to it just be about me. 🙂 Have a great weekend there!

June 10, 2011 at 8:39 am

Oh Benny, I swear, i feel like you could be my BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER.

The whole letter felt as if i could have written it myself.I used to feel alone in my feelings a couple of years ago when both my husband and i were living it up with 2 six figure income and buying so much stuff we could have raised the GDP of a small third world county..

But for the last 3 months, i don’t feel alone and that’s because of one simple thing which you even said in your letter to yourself which was….

“Surround yourself with inspiring people.” This has been the key and i feel i’ve made more movement in the direction I want to go in the last 3 months than i have most of my life just because of this one simple thing. Strange but true.

Having said that, i want to let you know you truly inspire me Benny. I even joined the #Trust30 challenge because I want to do more to make this life more fulfilling NOW not later. I want to do it as fast as i can. I think writing is one of the keys..

I can tell you and Elenore are going to do great things together and be very happy. You are so aware and conscious about your life how could it be otherwise.

p.s. that picture of you and Eleanor is AMAZING.I LOVE IT. You kids are going to be so cute. I ‘m a mom, i can tell these things you know? I have CUTE-DAR. YOU KNOW like RAY-DAR! CHEERS

“Half Asian Chick “signing off” LOL…. I had to put this in. (inside joke if anyone is reading this)

June 10, 2011 at 3:21 pm

What’s up! First thanks for the compliment about the photo. I loved how our pictures turned out. I told Eleanor I wanted to do it every year..LOL. She wasn’t so sure about that.

Wow two six figure incomes. Yeah it’s definitely easy to get carried away and buy so much stuff. It wouldn’t put a dent into your bank account. However we know money isn’t the answer to happiness. But if we can do exciting things, feel fulfilled, and make six figures, I’m sure we wouldn’t complain.

I do find surrounding myself with inspiring people has helped so much. If anything it’s great to read what people are doing. Learn new ideas. And even just joke around like you and I do. Because we take what we’re trying to do seriously but it has to be fun at times too.

I’m glad you’re going to do the #trust30 challenge. To be better writers we have to write more. Not only do they give a topic a day to write about but we can learn so much from what we write.

I sure do hope our kids our cute! I think they will be. I’ll trust your CUTE-DAR then!

June 10, 2011 at 12:41 pm

I’ve always wondered what I would say to a younger version of myself if I was given the chance. I think it would be very similar to what you said. I guess it is easy to give advice to your younger self since you’ve gained experiences and confidence since then. But hopefully all that reflection on the past and advice you give will help push you towards a brighter future. I really enjoyed reading what you would say to yourself in five years too. I hope your future self turns out exactly the way you want him to.

June 10, 2011 at 3:23 pm

Thanks Steve. Yeah I felt like giving my younger self advice is the stuff I should be saying to myself right now. So those things I wrote about are the same exact things I should be doing. For myself, writing it out makes it more clear.

Thanks for taking the time to read it Steve! I hope in 5 years you’re doing exactly what you want as well.

June 13, 2011 at 3:13 am

> How you think you are is the type of person you will be. I like this as a powerful one-liner reminder.

June 13, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Hi JD. It’s so true and I never realized it before. I thought I could get away with thinking negative thoughts and be the best person I can be. I’m still working on it but at least I’m aware of the power of thoughts. Thanks for coming by as usual JD!

June 13, 2011 at 3:05 pm

Love the letters Benny… I probably wouldn’t have to give mine much thought. It would probably go something like “what were you thinking”!!! But I love that life continues to throw lessons at us and thank goodness a good bit of us actually pay attention right!

Great job and I appreciate you sharing this with us. Gave me much food for thought young man.

Now, enjoy your week and keep up the excellent work you do over here. I’ll be back soon.

June 13, 2011 at 3:26 pm

Thanks my friend! I know you’re super busy creating your little empire over there! Loved your post today.

June 13, 2011 at 7:26 pm

Lot of wisdom in this post Benny!

I think your note to future self is especially powerful. Future self is going to be tripped up between now and then. There is going to be times of failure. But if I have learned anything, everything originates from your thoughts. I have gone through periods where I would constantly be a victim of social comparison, been tripped up by failures, and scared away by fear of inadequacy. But if my thoughts are positive, even when the perceived context of a situation may not be, true strength is shown, and great outcomes can be had.

What I would say to my future self is that social comparison will get you no where. Just like there is only one Benny Hsu, there is only one Chris Barba. And the pathway each of us walk is unique to each and everyone of us.

Really well written post Benny.

June 14, 2011 at 12:11 am

You’re right it won’t be smooth sailing to future Benny in five years. I just hope to keep those visions and goals in mind and navigate my way and make sure I stay get back on track when I start to veer off course.

The power of thought is truly amazing. I want to write a post about it but it’s on my to do list. Whatever we think is the type of person we will become. I didn’t know that five years ago but now I do.

Thanks so much for your comment Chris!

June 16, 2011 at 12:08 pm

That was a great piece which is the most influential thing I’ve read lately. I’m going to start mine today – I just can’t seem to find a picture of my “Eleanor” for that special incentive.

June 16, 2011 at 10:56 pm

Thanks for reading it. Definitely do yours. I believe you’ll something new from your answers. As for your own “Eleanor” she’s gotta be somewhere out there! 🙂

June 17, 2011 at 3:08 am

Benny, Great stuff. When I was 21 I looked around me and saw all these people in their 30s who seemed to just be coasting. It terrified me. I sat down and wrote a slew of letters to myself, one to my future wife, one to my first child on their 16th birthday. I was inspired. Now I get a letter every five years. My wife got here letter 12 years ago this month! I got a letter when my daughter was born 5 years ago encouraging me to be an amazing dad. I’ll get my next letter in 3 years – when I turn 40! Crazy. They have been fun. Encouraging. A bit humbling – I was pretty idealistic and has more than a few strange ideas about what really living was. With each letter though I have found that I am able to say, “Yes. I’m doing it. I’m living with passion and purpose and making my life, my families life and the lives around me better.” And that feels good. My mom has the stash and keeps track of when to send them. It was and still is an encouraging act of forced reflection. I’d encourage everyone to do it. Sorry to go on about myself, but it has been such a powerful experience that I wanted to share it with you and others.

Take care, Aaron

June 17, 2011 at 1:50 pm

That’s amazing what you did. Writing letters when you were only 21 to your future wife and child. That is such a cool idea. Like something out of a movie! So you wrote them all and your mom has them and knows when to send them. That’s taking it to a whole other level. Have you blogged about it? If not, I think that would be so cool to share. If not on your blog, you could find a good place to guest post with a huge audience.

Thanks so much for sharing!

October 4, 2011 at 11:01 am

Great stuff, Benny. I really appreciate you shared this with us. I love this word “Just remember to be thankful every day and don’t take life for granted”. Thanks for this Benny.

March 2, 2017 at 7:13 am

I happened to found your blog from google.Your journal is really inspiring.Thanks for writing this 🙂

[…] I wrote a letter to myself 5 years into the future. What will you say to the person you’ll be in five […]

[…] blog post, What I Would Say to Myself Five Years Ago and Five Years From Now reminded me of my own letter writing […]

Interview Questions

Comprehensive Interview Guide: 60+ Professions Explored in Detail

8 Examples of How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

By Biron Clark

Published: November 16, 2023

In this article, I’m going to walk you through steps and examples of how to answer the “Tell me about yourself” interview question to impress employers and get more job offers . We’ll also cover the costly mistakes you NEED to avoid if you want to pass this question.

Here’s exactly what you’re going to get:

The most-recommended method of how to answer “tell me about yourself”
8 examples of good answers to “tell me about yourself” for various industries
A shorter, newer method for experienced candidates
How to practice your answer to make sure you’re 100% ready for the interview

Let’s get started…

Why Do Interviewers Ask “Tell Me About Yourself”

“Can you tell me about yourself ?” is a common interview question that’s generally delivered as an icebreaker or pathfinder question, right at the start of an interview. It can catch you off your guard because it may seem vague, broad, and somewhat tricky. Honestly though, understanding a bit more about why interviewers ask this question (which is often framed as a command) will give you a clear insight into how to answer.

Interviewers ask this question to ease you out of those introductory jitters (that you both feel) and into the nitty-gritty of why you’re there. It’s their way of establishing a direction for the interview because it shows them how you summarize your experience and show its relevance to the job you’re applying for, which in turn tells them what to ask next. Trust me though, your answer needs to be relevant, the interviewer is likely not asking whether you’re a dog or a cat person but rather what background, skills, qualifications and experiences brought you to this interview today.

Watch: How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself?”

Different ways of asking the same question.

I mentioned how this question can sometimes be framed as a command, i.e: “tell me about yourself,” and so on. There are numerous ways this question might be framed, but all express the same intention on the part of the interviewer, so they should all be answered the same way. Common variants include:

“Take me through your resume.”
“Tell me about your background”
“Describe yourself.”
“Can you tell me more about why you’re here?”
“What brings you here today?”

When it comes to describing yourself, you may wonder where to start, how personal to be, and how far to get into it. “Describe yourself” certainly feels a little more personal than the rest. For insight into how to answer that variant, Read This Article .

How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview:

1. choose the right starting point for your story (important).

Your goal when answering, “tell me about yourself,” is to give a brief, concise walkthrough of your career story that will show off relevant pieces of experience. You want to start at a point in the past (like how you began working in this field), and end up in your current situation. So the first thing to decide is where you’ll begin the story… If you’re a recent graduate: Start with the fact that you just graduated, and explain why you chose this career path or field of area of study.

For example, you might start your answer like this:

“I graduated with my degree in Economics two months ago. I chose that field of study because I’ve always been interested in finance and money, and a couple of family members told me it leads to great career options, too.”

If you have 1-8 years of experience, start with the moment you graduated and walk them through your employment experience since then.

Here’s an example of how you’d start your interview answer in this situation:

“I graduated with my degree in Industrial Engineering six years ago and immediately went to work for a small design firm in Chicago. Since then, I’ve…”

And if you have 8-20+ years of experience, you can start with a mid-point in your career. This will keep your answer from getting too long.

For example, if you’re a manager, you could start with how you first became a manager. If you’ve been working for 25 years but have only been a sales professional for 12 years, you could begin with how you got started in sales.

Here is an example of how to begin your answer to “tell me about yourself” as a very experienced candidate:

“I first started managing people twelve years ago, when I was promoted from Customer Service Associate to Customer Service Supervisor. Since then, I’ve…”

2. Highlight Impressive Experience and Accomplishments

As you tell your career story, explain key accomplishments you’ve achieved, work you’ve done, skills you’ve learned, and key career moves you’ve made.

Were you promoted? That’s always a great sign and worth mentioning.
Did you accomplish something significant like solving a big problem for your last employer? That’s great to mention, too.
Did you build new skills or overcome challenges? Get specific! Tell details.

But random impressive facts aren’t enough. You should be thinking about how this ties in with the company you’re talking to.

You should always research the company before going into the interview . Study their job description in particular so you know what skills THEY care most about.
What does this particular job involve? Is there a lot of leadership? Talk about your experiences leading (no matter how small!), how it went, and what you learned.
Does the job involve a high level of technical skill? Talk about how you learned and advanced in that area through each step of your career!
You need to “tailor” your answer for, “tell me about yourself,” for their job description and their needs. Try to talk about experiences and qualifications that are relevant to this job you’ve applied for.

3. Conclude by Explaining Your Current Situation

Finally, the best way to finish your story is to bring them up to speed on your current situation. Why you wanted to apply for their job , what you’re looking to do next, etc.

For example you might end your answer by saying:

“…and that’s why I wanted to interview with your firm. This position seems like a great opportunity to advance those skills I just talked about, and continue building my career and challenging myself”.

4. Keep Your Answer Work-Related

When employers ask, “tell me about yourself,” in an interview, they usually want to hear about you as a professional. So the safest approach is to keep your answer work-related and share your career story, rather than personal details. You can show more personality as the interview goes on, but it’s risky to share too much personal info when answering, “tell me about yourself.” It could lead to your answer getting too long, or it could cause you to leave out important professional information that the interviewer was looking to know!

5. Be Concise When Answering (2 Minutes or Less!)

When they say “tell me about yourself,” it’s going to be tempting to give a long-winded answer. It’s such an open-ended question. And we covered a lot above, but there’s something just as important as any of that. You need to be concise. Your communication and ability to stay on track with your answer are two things they are watching closely. The interviewer wants to see that you can tell your story from Point A (the beginning) to Point B (the end) without getting sidetracked, distracted, or scattered. Because it tells them how you’ll communicate as an employee… when there’s a problem, when there’s a disagreement, or when you simply need to share your knowledge or opinion. If you take this answer beyond 2 minutes you are shooting yourself in the foot. In fact, below 90 seconds is ideal. Practice at home with a timer! That’s why I recommend choosing a starting point based on your experience (Step 1 above)… because if you have 25 years of experience and you start at the moment you graduated from college, your answer will be too long.

“Tell Me About Yourself” Example Answers:

Now that we’ve covered the key steps to answering, “tell me about yourself,” let’s look at some full answer examples to this interview question .

Example Answer for Experienced Candidates:

“I graduated with a Business degree in 2010, and was offered an account management position at a telecommunications company I had interned with. I loved working with customers and managing and growing my accounts, but the industry we were in just wasn’t very appealing to me. After that, I stayed a full year and learned a ton about how to build and manage accounts successfully and I ended up becoming a top performer in my group before leaving. I left at the 1-year-mark to pursue a very similar position within an industry I’m much more excited about- healthcare. I’ve been at this healthcare startup space for 2 years with this company and I feel ready to take my career to the next level so that’s why I’m currently looking for a new opportunity.”

That first example showed you how to answer “tell me about yourself” for experienced job seekers (at least a few years of experience). Now let’s look at an example for entry-level job seekers and job seekers with no experience .

Example Answer With No Experience:

“I graduated with a degree in Engineering two months ago. I chose that field of study because I’ve always been interested in math and physics , and a couple of family members told me it leads to great career options. One of my key accomplishments during my academic career was speaking at a conference on the topic of energy-efficient window design, based on research I had done for one of my senior-level classes. This led to an internship that I just wrapped up, so I’m actively looking for a full-time position now.”

Stand Out by “Tailoring” Your Answer to the Company

The end of your interview answer is a big opportunity to customize your answer for the company and job you’re interviewing for. When you talk about what you’re looking to do next in your career, try to mention whatever you see this company providing for your career (leadership, technical challenges, exposure to new areas, etc.) That shows them why you’re excited about their job, which will help you get hired! (I explain more about why this is true here ). Before we move on to more tips and a HUGE mistake to avoid, here’s one more example interview answer for this question.

Shorter Method for How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” (For Experienced Candidates Only)

The method I gave you above is the standard way most recruiters recommend answering “tell me about yourself.” It’s how I coached job seekers to answer this question for years. There’s another way you can answer, though… and it has some benefits. I’ll explain…Many experts have pointed out that if the interviewer wanted your career story, they could have looked at your resume or your LinkedIn , or asked a question like, “can you walk me through your background?” So there’s another approach for answering, “tell me about yourself,” that skips the career story and just cuts right to the chase: Why you’re awesome and why they should hire you !

Let’s look at 2 word-for-word templates that accomplish this.

After this, you’ll have two proven methods for answering, “tell me about yourself” in interviews, and in the next section, I’ll reveal how to decide which method is best for YOU.

Example answer if you’re job searching while employed:

“Well, I’m currently working at XYZ Company and I specialize in doing ___. The reason I applied for this job is I saw ___ on the job description and I think I would be able to help you ___ and ___. One of my key accomplishments in my current role was helping my employer do ___, and I’m confident I can help your team get similar results here.”

Example answer template if unemployed:

“In my most recent position at XYZ Company, I specialized in doing ___. The reason I applied for this job is I saw ___ on the job description and I think I would be able to help you ___ and ___. One of my key accomplishments in my last role for XYZ Company was helping them ___, and I’m confident I can help your team get similar results here.”

Which Method Should You Use for Your Answer?

If you have work experience, both options we’ve covered are very good, and it really depends on what you feel most comfortable with. Choose the one you like best. They’re both excellent ways to answer the question, so don’t stress over it! However, if you are entry-level and have no work experience… or internships at the very least… then I would go back to the top of this article and use the first, 5-step method for answering, “tell me about yourself.”

This second method we just covered is really best if you want to give a unique, concise answer and you have some relevant work experience to share in the interview!

“Tell Me About Yourself” Example Answers For Different Industries:

Healthcare:.

“After being licensed six years ago, I immediately entered a busy E.R. setting where I progressed to the point of triaging as many as 50 patients a shift. I’m skilled in patient record-keeping, stabilizing incoming patients, diagnosing injuries, administering meds, doing stitches, starting I.V.s, setting bones and offering emotional support to family members behind the scenes. I’ve adapted to the pressure but feel that, in the long term, I’d be better suited to a slower-paced environment with more focus on establishing lasting patient relationships. I’m ready to take on this post in your busy day clinic and believe that my advanced patient triage skills, along with my empathic nature, would be a great benefit to your team.”

This works because: This answer outlines your qualifications and extensive background in incoming patient care, triage, diagnosing and record-keeping. Your honesty about long term goals is appreciated. The answer shows how your skills have progressed since you were licensed, and it inspires confidence in your ability to handle a hands-on post at a busy clinic.

Service Industry:

“Having spent eight years in the food and beverage industry, I progressed from head waiter to front of house manager four years ago. I’ve held so many posts in the industry, from runner to waiter to head waiter to manager, but my dedication to quality service has never changed. I believe in knowing my product and process inside and out, uplifting my team members and demonstrating focused positivity throughout. It’s easy to fall into the temper trap when things get busy, but I prefer to knuckle down, smile and get it done. I want my customers to come back for more!”

This works because: This answer makes an impact because of how your personality shines through. The service industry is incredibly stressful, but it’s refreshing to know that you have a proactive, positive attitude to stressful situations, backed up with strong product knowledge and professionalism.

“I’m an accredited software engineer and systems integrator with more than ten years of active development experience. I’m proficient in Ruby, Python, Java, C++ and a wide range of associated languages and frameworks. I’m a team player, and I love bouncing ideas off my colleagues and engaging with diverse perspectives. I like to stay abreast of the latest tech and I’m wildly competitive when it comes to troubleshooting. I’ve also got an eye for detail and clean design and I’m dedicated to delivering a seamless, streamlined experience to the end-user.”

This works because: From this answer, it’s clear that you’re accredited and boast a diversified programming portfolio with plenty of experience in the field. It’s noted that you’re a team player, as teamwork is essential when developing and managing systems for a busy tech enterprise. And your attitude to problem solving , as being competitive will help you find fast and effective solutions.

“I’ve been a retail cosmetic artist and sales assistant for six years and I’m passionate about making clients feel utterly gorgeous! I have a strong knowledge of retail processes, including stock-take, merchandising and sales targeting. If I have to describe my stand-out quality it’s that I love to build up the team, make my colleagues smile and get them motivated to break targets for our department. Above all though, the customer comes first and I’m dedicated to building brand and store loyalty in the customer.”

This works because: From this answer, it’s obvious you know retail like the back of your hand and that you take pride in breaking targets and boosting the team morale. Your positivity shines through, and you highlight your passion for making clients feel special.

Practice Your Answer Before the Interview

As a final tip – make sure you go practice everything you plan on saying when the interviewer asks, “what can you tell me about yourself?” Nothing comes out perfect the first time, and you don’t want to appear nervous and stumble when they ask. So I’d recommend grabbing a piece of paper and writing down the key points you want to talk about in your answer. I like to write them in bullet format. Then, use your smartphone’s voice recorder app to record a few practice answers and see how you sound. Don’t look at your notes as you give your answer. The idea is to try to remember what you want to talk about without reading off the paper. Then glance at the paper AFTER to make sure you covered everything. Keep practicing until you can give a smooth answer without forgetting anything important.

Note: If you’re having a phone interview , you can use notes/bullet points to help guide you through your answer. Nobody can see you on the phone, so take advantage!

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Very helpful

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Sample Answer 1: Career Growth

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Sample Answer 5: Technical Expertise

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How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

Why do employers ask “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

To measure if you're a good fit for the role

To understand your values and career aspirations

To assess your potential for growth within the company

Do's for answering “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

1. Connect the job to your career goals

2. Know that it’s OK if you don’t have it all figured out yet

3. Be honest

4. Be realistic

5. Follow this formula

Don'ts for answering “Where do you see yourself in five years?”