How to answer a misguided interview question

Q: "Where do I see myself in five years?" Many job-related Web sites talk about this interview question, but none gives a definitive answer. Obviously, this question relates to a person's goals, but who really knows where they will be in five years? How can I answer this question to impress the employer?

Nick's reply:

Whenever you find yourself vexed in a job interview, don't assume there's something wrong with you. Often, the real problem is that the interview process is fundamentally flawed, and this is a perfect example.

You've brought up one of the Top 10 Stupid Interview Questions. I advise employers not to ask it because: (a) There are so many canned answers floating around that it's meaningless — few people can, or will, answer it honestly anymore; (b) Most small businesses won't be around in five years; and (c) Changes in technology and business render almost any career goal ephemeral.

Of course, the point of the question is to find out what your interests and ambitions are. I suggest that you be honest with the employer. If you don't know where you see yourself in five years, explain where you see yourself in six months or a year: "Contributing to the profitability of this company by doing x, y and z for you." You'll take complete control of the interview if you go on to explain this in detail.

Focus your discussion on the work to be done, and I think you'll make a memorable impression.

(If you really get your fill of this question with a particular employer, try this: "Gee, do you keep your average employee for five years?" Expect to be booted out of the interview. Hey, a bit of cynicism can be a healthy defense against mediocrity.)

Employers should not ask this question. A better question would be: "Tell me what you'll do in this job to benefit my business, and then explain to me how that will help you accomplish your career goals."

Remember that a job interview is about one thing: what you can do for a specific employer. Don't let a misguided interviewer throw you off track.

Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job," and host of www.asktheheadhunter.com.

He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.