Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Helen Evans • September 27, 2018

It’s the question that rears its head in every interview, maybe not always in its clichéd form – What are you looking for? How do you define success? What are your long-term career goals?

 

The question isn’t there to catch you out; the interviewer wants to understand your long-term goals, what drives you and how this role fits into your grand plan. Think about it, those who have long-term goals demonstrate motivation and a proactive nature, key attributes you want in a new team member.

 

So how do you prepare yourself for this question in a way that you can share your ambitions and goals but not give your interviewer anything to worry about?

 

Show longevity

 

Your potential employer is investing a lot of time, money and energy in you, so they want to make sure that they have a return on their investment. Highlight the importance of a long-term career path within the organisation (especially if you have short-term tenures on your CV). To go that step further you can break down your answer to a year by year goal.

 

Show your enthusiasm

 

Demonstrate that you’re excited to take on a new role and motivated for the new challenge ahead. Highlight what skills and experience you can bring to the role to get the interviewer thinking you are an opportunity that they cannot miss. 

 

Your professional goals

 

State your goals in terms of results, if you’re looking for a new Account Service role, you want to further develop your skill set within an agency who can offer a new approach to advertising, you want to show how your involvement helped with the success of these marketing campaigns.

 

The truth

 

No one likes a liar. Be as candid as possible with your answer. It’s okay to say that you’re uncertain what the future holds but this experience can aid you in making a decision.

 

If you need further guidance on interviewing, then get in touch with your helpful iknowho consultants and check out some of our top interviewing tips.

 

Get in the know

 

References:


https://www.thebalancecareers.com/where-do-you-see-yourself-5-years-from-now-2061153


https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-answer-where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years


https://biginterview.com/blog/2013/02/where-do-you-see-yourself-five-years.html


https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140715181346-135125319-where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years-how-to-answer

By Kristina Gerdov June 25, 2025
Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.
By Kristina Gerdov May 13, 2025
In 2025, personal branding isn't just a buzzword – it's important for anyone navigating the job market. The uncomfortable truth is this; you're likely being Googled more often than you're being interviewed. In a digital-first world, your personal brand can potentially boost your career prospects. So how can you leverage it to stand out during your job hunt? 1. Your brand is what people say when you're not in the room Personal branding isn’t just about the polished version of yourself that you post on LinkedIn. It’s what others say about you when you’re not around. Consider how you’re being perceived online and offline. Is your brand consistent, authentic, and aligned with your career aspirations? What would potential employers say about you when they Google you? To start refining your personal brand, think about your values, your goals, and how you want others to perceive you. This means showcasing your strengths, yes, but also acknowledging your struggles and learning moments. Authenticity can give you a competitive edge. 2. Lead with curiosity, not just expertise Publicly asking thoughtful, insightful questions. It positions you as someone who is constantly learning, open to feedback, and not afraid to explore new ideas – a thought provoker and idea leader in your space. In the job hunt, this quality can set you apart from others who might be more focused on offering answers than asking the right questions. So, when you’re engaging with others online or in an interview, try focusing on asking questions that spark deeper discussions. Your curiosity and willingness to learn can make a lasting impression. 3. Your personal brand is about becoming known for the right things Remember, personal branding isn’t about trying to become famous. It’s about being known for the right things – the things that align with your career goals and the value you want to offer to employers. For job seekers, this means ensuring that your online presence and interactions reflect your expertise, passion, and ambition. When crafting your personal brand, be deliberate. Think about the skills, values, and personality traits you want to highlight. 4. Be consistent and intentional The foundation of a strong personal brand is consistency. Your personal brand is built in the small, everyday actions – how you engage with your network. Consistency in your interactions helps shape how people perceive you and helps create a brand that’s memorable. If you're job hunting, it's critical to show up consistently both online and offline. This includes engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn, contributing to discussions, and demonstrating professionalism in all your interactions. 5. Small steps to narrow the gap So, what's the gap between how you see yourself and how others might perceive you? The goal isn’t perfection, but making small, consistent adjustments that move you closer to aligning your internal brand with how you’re seen externally. It could be tweaking your LinkedIn profile, starting a blog, or sharing your expertise. What’s one small thing you could do this week to move the needle and narrow that gap? Whether it’s posting a thoughtful comment on a relevant post, reaching out to someone in your industry, or sharing a story of a recent challenge, small actions can have a big impact over time. 6. Share struggles, Not just wins When it comes to personal branding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only sharing successes. However, some of the most credible personal brands are built on transparency – sharing the struggles and lessons learned along the way. It’s interesting to see how you handle setbacks, not just your triumphs. Embracing imperfection in your personal brand helps paint a fuller picture of who you are. Whether it’s sharing a challenging project you worked on or a time when you faced a setback and how you overcame it, these stories can help demonstrate your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and growth mindset – qualities employers are eager to see. In today’s market, personal branding isn’t just a nice-to-have. By being intentional, consistent, and authentic, you can build a personal brand that resonates with potential employers, ultimately setting you up for success in your job hunt. So, there’s no better time to start than now.
By Kristina Gerdov April 3, 2025
Starting a new role is so exciting but can sometimes feel like a whirlwind—there’s so much to take in. That’s why we’ve broken it down into a simple 30-60-90 day plan—to help you settle in, make an impact early, get aligned on your KPIs, and feel a sense of achievement from day one.
more posts