How to answer: Where do you see yourself in five years?

What the interviewer is testing.

Ambition that fits the role and the company. Whether your ambition fits the role and you plan to stay and grow.

An outline for this question.

1. Say what you want to be good at in five years, in terms of skills and impact.
2. Show how this role is a step towards it.
3. Mention that you would like to take on more responsibility as you earn it.

The mistake to avoid.

Saying you want their job, or that you have no plan. Aim for specific and realistic.

The general method: honest, specific, brief.

The same shape works for most hr questions, whatever the topic.

• Answer the question that was asked in your first sentence.
• Back it with one specific example or fact, not a general claim.
• Tie it to this role, and stop. A calm thirty to sixty seconds is enough.

Practice it, out loud.

Reading an outline is not the same as saying it. Answer this question in a mock interview, in your own words, then compare it with the outline above.

Practice this questionSee live interview help

More to practice.

• Tell me about yourself.

  Any role, HR

• What is your greatest strength?

  Any role, HR

• What is your greatest weakness?

  Any role, HR

• Why do you want to work here?

  Any role, HR

This is a Replysis practice question. It is not a leaked or official question from any company, and the outline is a guide to structure, not a script. Use your own experience and facts.