attorney how to answer where do you see yourself in 5 years

by Kelley Beahan 3 min read

When answering the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” question, make sure your answer outlines your commitment to staying with the company long-term. Try not to overthink your answer, avoid specificity, and don’t say anything that makes the hiring manager doubt that you’re a solid investment for the future. Author Description

In essence, the trick to answering the 'five years' question is to first ask yourself two things: what are your overall career goals and how will the position you're interviewing for help you reach them?

Full Answer

How to answer'where do you see yourself in five years?

Sep 11, 2019 · If you really have no idea what firm or position you want to be in five years from now, you still need to come up with an answer that shows you know yourself and have notable goals. (You might also want to do research and think hard on your own about potential career paths.) Karsh suggests using experience from your past.

Why do companies ask where you see yourself in 5 years?

Jul 16, 2014 · When answering the question, “where do you see yourself in five years?” it is important to structure you answer by covering a few topics, such as: 1. Your Interest in the Job 2. Your Core Strenghts...

How do you see yourself after 5 years of Education?

Sep 02, 2020 · How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” The best way to come up with an effective answer to this question is to prepare for it in advance—don’t try to come up with an answer on the spot! Here are a few tips you can use to figure out where you want to be five years from now. Tip #1: Consider your career path

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

Apr 17, 2021 · Your answer to where you see yourself in five years will depend on whether it’s a short or long-term position, but there are a few strategies you can follow. Don’t be funny or too personal. Make sure you stick to your career goals. Align your goals with the company, and be a genuine candidate.

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Why Hiring Managers Ask These Razzle-Dazzle Interview Questions.

If hiring managers don’t care about your path in 1,820 days, then why do they ask this silly question? Asking "Where do you see yourself in five ye...

How to Approach An Interview Question That Has No One Answer.

First, no one knows where they will be in five years, and the hiring manager is aware of this. They are not looking for you to lay out a specific p...

What You Should Avoid saying.

The first no-no to answering this common interview question is pretty obvious. Whatever you do, don’t respond to the question, “Where do you see yo...

Why do hiring managers want to know if you are worth the investment?

They want to know if you are willing to stick around the company and grow professionally and solve their problems.

Why do hiring managers leave you?

Hiring managers are not looking for you to come in and waste their time and money by training you for a few months only to see you leave because you don’t think it’s a good fit. When this happens, they have to put out a new ad, spend weeks interviewing and training until they find the right candidate again.

Do you have to tell an interviewer you are not planning on working for their company?

It’s important not to give the interviewer any indication that you do not plan on working for their company for the long term. After all, they are looking to make a long-term investment in their new hire. Even if you do not plan on staying at this company for the next five years, do not let the hiring manager know this.

Why do companies want to know where you see yourself in 5 years?

Companies want to know where you see yourself in 5 years because they want to know if their investment in your training will be paid back through a commitment to working for the company. It also helps to indicate if your goals align with the career projection of the role.

What should I think about before an interview?

Before an interview, you should think carefully about your career goals. You should then consider how these goals might be accomplished through the role and, in a more long-term sense, the company. When you have these points, you can form an answer that is truthful.

What is a common interview question?

The question is designed to see if the candidate is interested in working for the company in a long-term capacity. Your answer can connect your professional goals with the company without being disingenuous if it is prepared thoughtfully.

Why is showing interest in gaining skills attractive?

It shows an eagerness to develop skills as well as return the investment in your education to the company.

Why don't you know where you'll be in 5 years?

You don’t know where you’ll be in 5 years because you’re right in the middle of trying to figure that out. The one advantage you have is that you know that you want to do the job you’re interviewing for right now.

How long does it take to make significant career progress?

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that it will only take 5 years to make significant career progress. You could set off red flags. The interviewer might assume that you’d leave if you weren’t satisfied with the pace of your progress. Also, the candidate does not come off as prepared.

How to focus on where you may be in the future?

One way in which you can focus your attention on where you may be in the future is to consider your current interests and where you think they will evolve in the future.

When an employer hires someone, do they want that person to be short term?

When an employer hires someone, they don’t want that person to be short term: they want the employee to be there for a long time. As a result, an employer will want to make sure they are interviewing people whose long-term goals meet the needs of an employer.

Why do employers hire ambitious people?

Employers like to hire people who are ambitious because they are more willing to go the extra mile in pursuit of a goal. While it’s difficult to know exactly what you are doing in the future, having any idea of how you want to advance in your career is a clear sign that you are ambitious and forward-thinking.

Why is it important to be vague?

In fact, you may find it helpful to be vague. This is to ensure that you don’t spend too much time thinking about a specific career path in depth before you are ready to do so. Over time, your interests will change, and it is likely that where you want to be in five years will change, too. With that said, if you can give any indication ...

Why do you take a quiz at a job interview?

However, being asked about your future is common in job interviews. It allows a hiring manager to gain a deeper insight into how the job that you applied for fits in with your long-term career goals.

Who is James Gallagher?

James Gallagher is a self-taught programmer and the technical content manager at Career Karma.

Do employers look for you to explain where you want to be in 5 years?

Employers are not looking for you to clearly explain exactly where you want to be in five years. On the contrary, they are looking for you to briefly discuss your long-term ambitions and where you think you could be.

What to do if you're not sure how to put your thoughts into words?

If you’re not sure how to put your thoughts into words, consider the job you are applying for. Your answer for short-term positions and internships may be different than your answers to companies with opportunities for career progression.

What are the most common interview questions?

Here are six common interview questions that might come next: 1 If you got this job, would you plan on staying here long term? 2 We know your long-term goals; what are your short-term goals? 3 What is your biggest weakness? 4 What are you looking for in your next job? 5 Why do you want to work for us? 6 Why should we hire you for this position?

Why don't people pass the first interview?

47% of people don’t pass the first interview because they don’t know enough about the company. You can give yourself the best chance of getting a job by being a genuine candidate. Answer the question truthfully and carefully. Match your skillset to the job description.

How to make a good resume for an interview?

Don’t be funny or too personal. Make sure you stick to your career goals. Align your goals with the company, and be a genuine candidate. Most importantly, show the employer that you’re someone worth investing in. We wish you all the best in your job search. Don’t forget to bring your resume to your interview. 15.

Is it okay to share your career goals?

This answer shows your career plans include upskilling in the areas the company values the most. It’s okay to share your goals as long as they are beneficial to the company. Remember, when you mention upskilling in areas they consider desirable, it will show you’re an asset worth investing in.

Is it easy to answer interview questions?

Answering interview questions isn’t always easy. Fortunately, most interviews follow a similar format, and you can rehearse the questions and answers at home. Your answer to where you see yourself in five years will depend on whether it’s a short or long-term position, but there are a few strategies you can follow.

Crafting a great response

In truth, you could be anywhere in five years. You could be at this job, or you could be running your own business. You could be living in DC or living in Timbuk To. You could have a dog, a turtle, or a llama. But that’s not what your interviewer is looking for. Instead, a strong response should convey that you:

Common mistakes

You understand what to say, but it’s also important to recognize what not to say. Here are the top mistakes when answering, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

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Managing A Department.

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In five years I would like to have a better understanding of how to lead a team. I believe that this position will give me the opportunity to learn management skills through training and taking on more leadership roles until I can confidently manage a department. This answer shows an interest in gaining more experience through …
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Leading New projects.

  • This company has always been at the forefront of industry-defining projects, and in five years I would like to become more involved in research, perhaps even bringing new projects to the company. So many industry leaders choose to work here, and I would love to learn from them. In this answer, the candidate shows knowledge of and interest in the work that the company does …
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Having Completed Training and Earned A Master's Degree.

  • In five years I would like to have completed any necessary training programs for my role, and broadened my skill set through online learning or company-recommended programs. This will allow me to become involved in more projects that the company undertakes. This answer reflects a desire to develop your skills so that you can be of better use to the...
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with Proficiency in Photoshop and Social Media Management.

  • At present, I have a good understanding of social media and how to use its algorithms, but I would like to complete more formal training on it so that I can manage platforms more confidently. I would also like to become proficient in Photoshop so that I can create social media graphics myself. I think this would streamline the content creation process. This answer reflects a desire …
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as An Industry Expert.

  • This position offers the opportunity to work with several departments and learn various new skills that I have not been exposed to before. I hope to learn more about the company this way, as I will likely be working with different individuals on a range of projects. In five years I would like to be considered an expert on our products and be able to make suggestions that drive the company f…
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