Where do you see yourself five years from now ?

One of the most common question asked in an interview is "Where do you see yourself five years down the line?". It's one of the favorite question among the interviewers. 

The reason why an interviewer asks you this is because he wants to know if you will be a long term association or not. If this is the field you truly want to work in. If you are looking forward to some growth in the organisation. With just one well articulated reply you can answer so many queries of the interviewer's.

There are few things you must always keep in mind while answering this question.

Give a general and practical view to the interviewer. If you are not aware of the career path of the organisation don't mention a particular designation or position. Do give a broad view to your answer but a practical one, so the interviewer doesn't have to think if you'll be the right fit in the team. Something like " In five years I would like be the CEO. I would also like to see myself on world tour and so on." It's good to have dreams and goals in life. But anything like this is a big NO for interviews.

Focus on stability. Show your interest in working with the organisation for a long run. If you have some job-hopping issues in your resume, this is the best time to overcome it.

Mark your focus on learning and growing with the company. This gives an impression of long term association with the company, in interviewer's mind. Also talking about learning and taking up new challenges presents you as a goal oriented person.

Go through the sample answers to prepare it well. 

1.  In five years, I would like to see myself in a leading position with more responsibility, knowledge, and skills. I would be more mature regarding my personality and taking decisions for this organisation and encourage my juniors to give their best.

2. Well being a fresher the beginning years of my career will be critical for me to pick up information about the work and my field. From that point forward, I see myself in a position where I am taking care of greater obligation and using sound judgment for the better of the organization. And afterward no one but I can see my development in profession with assistance of association. What's more, certainly truly outstanding and confided in employee of the organization.

Last piece of advice is that answers like " I am not sure what i"ll be doing in five years" or " Five years is a long time, how can I say anything now"  or " I see myself touring with my band " , will land you nowhere (but out of the interviewer's cabin, of course!) 

All the best for your next interview!

Do share your thoughts, ideas and questions in comment box.