Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

This question helps the HR expert to learn about your career goals and determine whether or not this organization is a good fit for you. It can easily be classified as one of the trickiest questions you’d come up against. While the question may appear innocent, the aim is to determine how long you want to stay with the company if recruited and how your vision aligns with the company's mission. That’s why you should probably avoid mentioning your plans for higher education, starting your startup, or changing to another company. Usually, this is something recruiters don’t want to hear, hence avoid such answers and make sure to let her/him know you’re ready to invest your time and expertise in this company.

Sample Answer

Over the next five years, I'd like to make use of all of the learning possibilities and certifications offered by this company, both internal and external. My ultimate career objective is to become a Technical Lead, and I understand that there's a long way to go. However, I'm well assured that with hard work and enough investment, I will be able to achieve this goal and become an even more valuable asset to the company.