Perfect answer ofr a interview question

[fabemmy]

When in a job interview anyone know the perfect answer to this questiion: WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN 5 YEARS TIME?
I always get asked this question and never konw the answer.

[buildersmate]

There is no perfect answer.
This question is designed to seek out what career planning you are doing, so the answer will depend on where you are with your career. Those that answer 'dunno really' probably show that they have little interest in the company or their personal development and are just wishing to be present between the hours of 9-5 in exchange for some readies at the end of the week.
Those that can explain how this career move fits in their overall career plan, what they have done to date, what they would like to do in future, the pragmatism of that plan (is it pie-in-the-sky) are showing that they have thought about why they want this job.

[R1Geezer]

well I've always told the truth when asked this kind of question.

"I would like to be wealthy enough to not have to work for a meagre existance"

Always stood me in good stead when the realism of the situation dawns on the interviewer and they realise the same applies to them.

We go to work to pay the bills and hopefully provide a marginally better standard of living than the local dole dossers, though I sometimes doubt I have acheived even that!

[mrs.chappie]

"Sat at your desk".

Only joking!

[andrea81]

I have been advised to say.

"I hope to be able to progress with my own skills in 5 years and possibly take on further responsibilities"

[fabemmy]

andrea81 I like that answer. I think I will say something like that in my next interview I get

[lil75]

Ide say, sat in me mansion surrounded by me lottery winnings lol, I think its a stupid question to ask, at the end of the day we all just wanna earn some bucks!

[fabemmy]

I think its a stuid question to ask as well. as if someone is gonna know the answer. its a unpredicable question.

[andrea81]

Hope your next interview goes well, hate the things and usually end up waffling! x x x x

[andrea81]

No offence Zacsmaster! But it is quite true for lots of people, many do want to climb the ladder. but I see where you mean.

I'm a big believer that your face has to fit. they have to 'like' you. So being yourself is the best you can do!

[Eve]

Having interviewed people for jobs myself I'd say the right answer depends in the job itself and the reason it is being asked.

If I'm interviewing for a job where I want someone to stay and work at a similar level quite happily for as long as possible then I'd be put off by someone who said they wanted to be doing something better or something else in the near future.

For this reason I'd be unlikely to interview people who have good qualifications for an office junior position as they are likely to only want it for a stopgap.

I also wouldn't want someone who was aggressively power hungry (unless it was a job which required a ruthless streak like sales).

I'd probably be impressed by someone who wanted to improve themselves without sounding unrealistic or OTT eg taking on more responsibilities like training or supervising, depends what the job is really.

It's a nice lead into you asking what potential there is for career development and training.

[Tups]

You may well be jesting, Mrs. Chappie, but that's just how my brother got his job!