Comments on: Job Interviews: Where Do You See Yourself Five Years from Now? http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/ A little career advice. Some job stories. A place to learn about career education. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:35:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Susan http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-91060 Susan Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:43:03 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-91060 Hi Rhythmics, It's good to worry about talking too much in an interview. You learn so much more by listening! Your answer to where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years says you want to be a high achiever working in a fast-paced environment. Some employers will love that, some will be threatened by it, and some - the less fast-growing companies - will think you are not a good fit. So I would modify that answer depending on the situation. Good luck! Susan Hi Rhythmics,

It’s good to worry about talking too much in an interview. You learn so much more by listening!

Your answer to where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years says you want to be a high achiever working in a fast-paced environment. Some employers will love that, some will be threatened by it, and some – the less fast-growing companies – will think you are not a good fit.

So I would modify that answer depending on the situation.

Good luck!
Susan

]]> By: Rhythmics http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-91002 Rhythmics Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:29:15 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-91002 Hi Ronnie Ann, Here is the answer that I have given out before for this question, "I see my self working for a fastest growing company, where I have learned the entire business, masted the products and services it provides, and maintain relations with clients. With that, the team I am working for is performing at excellent rate as well as the company's performance is great in the market, and I am one of the reasons behind my team and company's solid performance. Overall, facing challenges, learning something new, creating a positive impace, and looking forward to come to work each day. That is the type of position I see my self holding in five years from now" I feel sometimes I am talking too much, or giving out answers above their expectation. What do you think? :-) Thank you so much for your help, Hi Ronnie Ann,
Here is the answer that I have given out before for this question,
“I see my self working for a fastest growing company, where I have learned the entire business, masted the products and services it provides, and maintain relations with clients. With that, the team I am working for is performing at excellent rate as well as the company’s performance is great in the market, and I am one of the reasons behind my team and company’s solid performance. Overall, facing challenges, learning something new, creating a positive impace, and looking forward to come to work each day. That is the type of position I see my self holding in five years from now”

I feel sometimes I am talking too much, or giving out answers above their expectation. What do you think? :-)
Thank you so much for your help,

]]> By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-79101 Ronnie Ann Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:39:44 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-79101 Hi Shawnna! Nice answer. I think you did really well both for the job you're applying for and for future possibilities. Good luck! Hi Shawnna!

Nice answer. I think you did really well both for the job you’re applying for and for future possibilities. Good luck!

]]> By: Shawnna http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-78862 Shawnna Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:54:15 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-78862 I recently had an interview for a part-time, on-call position with the county I live in. The interviewers told me the second I walked in the door every interview only consists of 3 questions, one of which ended up being "Where do you see your self in the future?" I didn't know really what to say, but I answered honestly that I wanted to work on writing policy and reform on a federal or state level, and working as a licensed therapist. The position I am applying for is part time and does not require an immediate degree, so to say "I see myself in this position in five years" would have not been a very ambitious or impressive answer. At the end of the interview I did make sure to show my interest in making a career with their agency. I asked if the position had the potential for advancement to the next level (the same job but permanent, full-time, and full-benefits) after the one year probationary period. I let them know I am looking for an agency I can start a career with seeing as I am graduating with my bachelors degree in June. I think if you get asked the question you just have to be honest, but maybe not too openly. I recently had an interview for a part-time, on-call position with the county I live in. The interviewers told me the second I walked in the door every interview only consists of 3 questions, one of which ended up being “Where do you see your self in the future?” I didn’t know really what to say, but I answered honestly that I wanted to work on writing policy and reform on a federal or state level, and working as a licensed therapist. The position I am applying for is part time and does not require an immediate degree, so to say “I see myself in this position in five years” would have not been a very ambitious or impressive answer.

At the end of the interview I did make sure to show my interest in making a career with their agency. I asked if the position had the potential for advancement to the next level (the same job but permanent, full-time, and full-benefits) after the one year probationary period. I let them know I am looking for an agency I can start a career with seeing as I am graduating with my bachelors degree in June.

I think if you get asked the question you just have to be honest, but maybe not too openly.

]]> By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-69107 Ronnie Ann Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:42:36 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-69107 You sound great, Sarah. I wish you luck finding the right job for you! You sound great, Sarah. I wish you luck finding the right job for you!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-69103 Sarah Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:18:19 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-69103 Thanks Ronnie! I feel vindicated :-) I thought about mentioning that I was hoping to work my way up in the company, since they seem to encourage that there. But I didn't want to suggest that I'd take the first opportunity for advancement they offered. Which I would have, because this was a low pay, part-time job., but it would get my foot in the door. That day I was interviewed by the hiring manager, the dept manager, and then shadowed someone on the floor for an hour. Things were going well. Then I interviewed with this director with the above question, who just seemed to have a sour attitude as soon as I met her. I even contacted them the next day to thank them for interviewing me and reiterating how much I wanted the job. I received no response! But you're right - by the time I got out of her interview I knew I didn't want to work for her. Thanks Ronnie!
I feel vindicated :-)

I thought about mentioning that I was hoping to work my way up in the company, since they seem to encourage that there. But I didn’t want to suggest that I’d take the first opportunity for advancement they offered. Which I would have, because this was a low pay, part-time job., but it would get my foot in the door.

That day I was interviewed by the hiring manager, the dept manager, and then shadowed someone on the floor for an hour. Things were going well.
Then I interviewed with this director with the above question, who just seemed to have a sour attitude as soon as I met her. I even contacted them the next day to thank them for interviewing me and reiterating how much I wanted the job. I received no response!

But you’re right – by the time I got out of her interview I knew I didn’t want to work for her.

]]> By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-69101 Ronnie Ann Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:59:26 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-69101 Hi Sarah! Sheesh! Sometimes all you can do is exactly what you did. ;-) In my opinion, that was a terrible follow-up interview question. I mean...who the heck knows exactly what they want to be doing 5 years from now, since you don't have all the information you will have gathered by then? But I know that's too logical for a situation like this. I have no idea what I would have answered. But I know I would have been thinking "not working for you, toots." Sorry I don't have a better answer. Maybe I would have remembered some of the job description skills and said by then I'd like to be the best at a, b and c. Anyone else have some ideas? Hi Sarah!

Sheesh! Sometimes all you can do is exactly what you did. ;-)

In my opinion, that was a terrible follow-up interview question. I mean…who the heck knows exactly what they want to be doing 5 years from now, since you don’t have all the information you will have gathered by then? But I know that’s too logical for a situation like this.

I have no idea what I would have answered. But I know I would have been thinking “not working for you, toots.”

Sorry I don’t have a better answer. Maybe I would have remembered some of the job description skills and said by then I’d like to be the best at a, b and c.

Anyone else have some ideas?

]]> By: Sarah http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-69097 Sarah Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:27:20 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-69097 So what should I do when I am interviewing for a position unrelated to my previous jobs and I get this 5 years question? I gave her a rather generic, "While I have enjoyed my previous positions it was a field I didn't actively pursue but rather fell into ( true, but I am now pursuing the field, but I don't want to tell her this). I'm looking for a more customer service oriented position (this was). In 5 years I want to be in a job where I feel like I'm providing a needed service to our customers, that I'm enjoying what I do, and I feel like I'm contributing positivity to the company." Her response was to ask me " No I want to know the specific tasks you expect to be doing at a job in 5 years." I think I mumbled something incoherent at this point. So what should I do when I am interviewing for a position unrelated to my previous jobs and I get this 5 years question? I gave her a rather generic, “While I have enjoyed my previous positions it was a field I didn’t actively pursue but rather fell into ( true, but I am now pursuing the field, but I don’t want to tell her this). I’m looking for a more customer service oriented position (this was). In 5 years I want to be in a job where I feel like I’m providing a needed service to our customers, that I’m enjoying what I do, and I feel like I’m contributing positivity to the company.” Her response was to ask me ” No I want to know the specific tasks you expect to be doing at a job in 5 years.” I think I mumbled something incoherent at this point.

]]> By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-66965 Ronnie Ann Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:08:33 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-66965 Hi intervieweefailed! We all get nervous and we all screw up at least a little in interviews. The trick is too not let it get to you and keep going anyway. In fact, if you catch yourself, just smile and say "Can I answer that again? I was a little nervous, but would like you to know what I really meant to say." A good interviewer wants to see the real you. It's not a test. And for the few that act like it is...you wouldn't like working with a company they represent anyway. ;-) Good luck!! Hi intervieweefailed!

We all get nervous and we all screw up at least a little in interviews. The trick is too not let it get to you and keep going anyway. In fact, if you catch yourself, just smile and say “Can I answer that again? I was a little nervous, but would like you to know what I really meant to say.”

A good interviewer wants to see the real you. It’s not a test. And for the few that act like it is…you wouldn’t like working with a company they represent anyway. ;-)

Good luck!!

]]> By: intervieweefailed http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/comment-page-4/#comment-66837 intervieweefailed Thu, 11 Aug 2011 03:16:46 +0000 http://workcoach.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/job-interviews-where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years-from-now/#comment-66837 thanks for this!!! my interview at JP morgan cc this was the hardest. i really don't know what will I be after 5 years... i will be 27 then.. that sucked!!! Am I too ambitious if I told her that "maybe i already reached the apex of happiness" whoah!!! that's not what i really mean... but since I'm runnin out of words--that was my answer... *sighs* pooor me! thanks for this!!!
my interview at JP morgan cc this was the hardest. i really don’t know what will I be after 5 years… i will be 27 then..
that sucked!!!
Am I too ambitious if I told her that “maybe i already reached the apex of happiness” whoah!!! that’s not what i really mean… but since I’m runnin out of words–that was my answer… *sighs*

pooor me!

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