In recent years, the job market has witnessed waves of changes. With new-age jobs opening up, more and more people can expect to get hired if they can present the best version of themselves during the interview. In fact, with the pandemic seemingly coming under control, the job market has started to reopen, making this the best time for freshers and well as veterans to start job-hunting. But the most important thing to securing a good job is to get through the process of the interview, which can be a long-drawn process. Interviews can be strenuous and harrowing, but no matter how it is, if you are all set for it, nothing can stop you from cracking one. With this positive spirit, let’s dive into discussing one of the most crucial and determinative interview questions and that is ‘where do you see yourself in five years.
The reason behind where do you see yourself in five years
In the most common language, every job is a transaction. When someone applies for a job, they are selling their services in exchange for remuneration or pay. It is also to be kept in mind that the company that is hiring, needs to find value in the service, finding which the company would like to further the engagement with the job seeker. Hence, in an interview, the perspective of both sides has to be kept in mind to reach a common interest.
Among the several questions asked by the interviewer to test the key attributes of a candidate, the most interesting and common questions tend to remain on the same lines - ''Where do you see yourself in five years?''. While some may argue that it's not a question that can be answered surely, one must understand that the interviewers’ voyage is to discover the answer with exact certainty. Hence, when a candidate is undergoing an interview, it is always better to share a perspective of what he or she would like to be in life thereby revealing their goals, aspirations, as well as their commitment. This is valuable information for the company to determine whether the candidate suits the company's needs as well as that particular position being applied for.
For every company, the hiring process involves operational time and resource costs to the company. Hence, the objective of hiring is not in numbers but in quality. Most importantly, the criteria the company looks for is a sense of stability in the candidate. Interviewers want to assess whether candidates envision themselves staying committed to the work in the company for at least five years. They also try to fathom whether the personal goals and aspirations of the candidates go parallel with that of the company. These revelations usually help the interviewer hire a person who has the highest possibility to be a reliable and loyal employee for the company, helping the company's growth as well as avoiding the loss of a repeated hiring procedure.
It is worth mentioning that another attribute that an interviewer may be testing with this seemingly abstract question, is the confidence and clear vision of a candidate.
What to Do/What to Avoid
It's natural to feel unsure and uncomfortable when someone asks ''Where do you see yourself in five years?''. This question may seem difficult to answer, and while some candidates may feel the urge to give witty and hilarious answers that pertain to their personal life, it's best to avoid that. The reason and importance of the question have to be understood and treated with dignity. The employer wants to determine your sense of commitment and responsibility which is important for the company in the long run. Besides, it is also that you provide a well-thought-out answer otherwise it might seem as though you lack respect and appreciation for the interviewer’s time to take interest in you. It's best advised to illustrate professionalism in your answer and body language.
Furthermore, it is best to state your professional aspirations and growth plans crisply and clearly. Sometimes a candidate may feel the need to elaborate their visions and try to talk about positions that are way higher than the job in question. But it would be unwise to do so. It may not bore well with the interviewer who may simply consider it as an intrusion beyond the limits of the candidature. The candidates must show their willingness to learn patiently in the position they are applying for while keeping their growth aspirations stated with a touch of practicality. In short, a candidate must appear stable and willing to stay put in their position as long as it's needed by the company for mutual growth.
Researching into the company beforehand can take the candidate miles ahead of other contenders. A brief history, origin story, and the business model are some fundamental information that can help a candidate prepare for the interviews. Apart from the fact that it can help the candidates answer the questions of the interviewer better with brief knowledge about how the company works and runs its daily business, it will also help the candidate to know just the overall personality of the company. Hence when the interviewer asks - where do you see yourself in five years, a candidate will have a prior understanding of what that particular company is seeking as the perfect answer.
Examples of how to answer 'Where do you see yourself in five years
"In five years from now, I want to have gained as much experience I can from the exposure that I shall receive as I work in this organization and this position. I am open to learning as well as unlearning with an open mind. I believe an open mind allows me to weigh in a fresh perspective as it comes in handy with changing times."
"Five years down the line, I want to look back on this day and take pride in having made one of the best decisions in my life. I believe that this company and its work culture cab help not only grow professionally but as well personally. I am eager to learn new skills and upgrade existing ones so that I can prepare myself for a brighter future. I would like to believe that in future I shall be able to contribute to the success of this company with my merit and skills. I want to be established as an experienced and senior employee of this reputed company"
Every job interview is a series of synchronisation and alignment of the needs and expectations of the interviewer as well as the candidate. A transparent conversation, as well as mutual understanding, is the key to a successful interview. Although human beings are devoid of the capability to assess the likelihood of events to occur in future even as we speak, the question 'Where do you see yourself in the next five years' serves as an important reminder to set a purpose in life to bring some transparency and perspective to know what one wants from his or her life. Hence, it's not about the five years in question, but the vision, confidence and clarity in the candidate's thoughts and words that hold the ultimate priority. This is a fundamental mantra that is not only important for the job but also to seal success anywhere in life.