If you haven't thought about the direction you'd like your career to go in, it's a good idea to give it some thought before you go on a job interview. During an interview, the interviewer might ask, “What are your short-term and long-term career goals?”
Or you might be asked similar interview questions such as, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” and “What are your goals for the next five to ten years?” Employers often ask about the future to ensure that your goals mesh with those of the organization and to ensure you're a fit for the job for which you're interviewing.
Here's advice on how to answer interview questions about your career goals, examples of the best responses, and tips for what to say when you respond.
Key Takeaways
- Prepare your answerandfocus on your career goals as they relate to the company you are interviewing for.
- Relate both your short-term and long-term career goals to the company you are interviewing for unless you are clearly interviewing for a short-term position.
- Prepare an answer that includes the steps you intend to take to achieve your career goals.
- Don’t discuss salary or benefits—keep your response focused on the question.
What the Interviewer Really Wants To Know
Interviewers want to know whether you plan to stay at the company for a while, or if you're likely to leave at the first opportunity. Asking future-focused questions during interviews is very common. For employers, thistactic helps reveal if you have any long-term visions or plans.
It is expensive to hire and train an employee. The interviewer wants to make sure that you intend to stay a while at the company. However, the interviewer also wants to make sure you have ambitions and goals for your future.
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5 Tips for Answering Questions About Career Goals
How To Answer Interview Questions About Your Career Goals
It might be difficult to think about the future during your interview, so it’s good to plan for questionslikethese. Keep in mind, there are plenty of ways to answer it successfully.Answer this question with the company in mind. If your personal goals don't mesh with the company's vision for the future, it's better to keep them to yourself.
Note
Prepare an answer that focuses on your career goals as they relate to the company you are interviewing for.
You can divide those goals up into short-term goals and long-term goals. Be prepared to share some of these aspirations with the interviewer.
If you’re not clear about what you want to achieve, review this guide onhow to set career goals. Thenspend some time setting thosevital short- and long-term career goals.
Examples of the Best Answers
Here are some examples of answers you can follow when framing your own response.
Example Answer #1
In the shortterm, I hope to work as a sales representative for a company such as yours—one with a mission based on excellent customer service and care. Working as a sales representative for a company I believe in will prepare me to take on expanded team leadership responsibilities in the future, as those become available.
Why It Works: The applicant references the company they are interviewing for in their answer to the question, letting the interviewer know that they would like to be hired by the company and would like to stay there, at least for a while.
Example Answer #2
My currentshort-term goal is to develop and use my marketing and communications skills in a job like this one. However, I eventually want to develop into a position that allows me to continue to use these skills while also managing a marketing group. I will prepare for this goal by taking on leadership positions in team projects, and by developing my professional career through attending leadership conferences such as the one put on annually by your company.
Why It Works: This answer works for two reasons. First, the applicant states that their short-term goal can be accomplished by working in a company like the one they are interviewing with. Second, the applicant relates their long-term goals to an annual conference put on by the company.
Example Answer #3
Although I have just completed my LPN certification, my long-term goal is to take my nursing career to the highest level by earning my RN degree. My plan is to work full-time in a long-term care environment or hospital for the next few years, which will give me the experience I’ll need in order to excel in an RN program.
Why it Works: Since the applicant is obviously interviewing in a hospital or long-term care environment, they are relating long-term goals to the same environment. This reassures the interviewer that they may be able to retain the applicant if they hire them.
Tips for Giving the Best Response
Start with short-term goals, then move to long-term goals.You probably have a good sense of your short-term goals, such as getting a job with an employer like the one you are currently interviewing for. Start by describing these goals, then move to long-term plans.
Explain the actions you’ll take.Listing goals is not going to make for a strong answer. You also want to (briefly) explain thesteps you will take to achieve them. For example, if you want to take on a management role, describe the steps you have taken, or will take, to become a manager.
Perhaps you are developing your leadership skills by running group projects, you plan to attend a series of leadership conferences, or you are pursuing a specialized management certification.
Describing your plan demonstrates that you are thinking analytically about your career future and your potential growth within the company. For example, if you plan to further your education, explain your goal in a way that enhances your worth to the company.
Focus on the employer.Even though this question is about you, you want to convey that you won’t abandon the employer anytime soon.
Note
Mention that one of your goals is to work for a company like the one for which you’re interviewing.
Focus on how you’ll add value to the company through the achievement of your own goals. Also, convince the interviewer that working at this company will help you achieve your goals for a win-win situation.
Take the Time to Practice. Practice answering questions about your career plan and goals out loud, so you can be more comfortable during your interview. It’s also a good idea to review a variety ofjob interview questions and answersso you’ll be fully prepared.
What Not To Say
Avoid discussing salary.Don’t focus on goals related to earnings, raises, bonuses, or perks. You want to focus on the work you hope to achieve, rather than the money you want to make. It’s fine to provide a salary range if asked (although you mighttry to avoid getting pinned down too early in the process). However, you should never volunteer your target salary unasked, or tie any information to own your circ*mstances, rather than tothe job market.
Here's an example ofwhat not to saywhen you're talking about salary with a prospective employer:
Don't say this:Can you provide the salary range for this position? My target salary is at least $45,000. My rent just went up and I have student loans, so I can’t consider a position that comes in under that.
Avoid delving too deeply into specifics.While you want to present clear goals, do not get into too many details. For example, if you know you want to work for a company in a specific position (but not the company or role you’re interviewing for), don’t share this informationwith an employer.
Note
Emphasize more general goals, such as taking on responsibilities. This allows you to balance clear aims with a flexible attitude.
Anexampleofwhatnottosaywhendiscussingyourgoals:
Don't say this:I’m excited about the possibility of joining this organization. While I’m applying for an administrative assistant job, my hope is to move into an editorial role as soon as possible. Can you tell me how long it would take to move into an editorial assistant position?
Possible Follow-Up Questions
- How do you plan to achieve your career goals? - Best Answers
- What is your professional development plan? - Best Answers
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? - Best Answers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most common interview questions?
The mostcommon interview questionsare focused on you and how you are qualified for the job. For example, the interviewermay ask you to tell them about yourself, your education, and your work experience, as well as to explain how you're a fit for the job and why you are interested in the role.
What is the best way to get ready for an interview?
Some of the best ways to prepare for a job interview include taking the time to practice answering common interview questions with someone else, as well as using your computer or phone to record your response or practicing in front of a mirror. Have examples and stories that relate to how you have the skills mentioned in the job posting, ready to share with the interviewer.
As an expert in career development and job interview preparation, I've had extensive experience guiding individuals through the process of identifying, articulating, and strategizing their career goals. Throughout my professional journey, I've worked with diverse individuals across various industries, helping them craft compelling narratives aligning their aspirations with the objectives of the companies they aim to join.
The concepts discussed in the provided article revolve around career goal setting and effectively answering interview questions related to one's short-term and long-term career aspirations. Here's a breakdown of the key components addressed in the article:
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Purpose of Career Goals in Interviews: The article highlights the significance of addressing questions about career goals during job interviews. It emphasizes that employers use these questions to assess if a candidate's goals align with the company's vision and if the candidate is likely to commit to the organization for an extended period.
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Strategies for Answering Career Goal Questions:
- Relevance to the Company: Advises aligning personal career goals with the company's objectives to demonstrate compatibility.
- Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Encourages candidates to articulate both short-term and long-term career objectives.
- Actions and Plans: Emphasizes explaining the steps or strategies intended to achieve these goals, showcasing proactive planning.
- Value Addition to Company: Suggests showcasing how fulfilling personal goals can benefit the employer, creating a win-win situation.
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Examples of Effective Responses: The article provides sample answers demonstrating how candidates can structure their responses, emphasizing the connection between their aspirations and the company's ethos or opportunities.
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Tips for Delivering the Best Response:
- Sequential Explanation: Recommends starting with short-term goals and progressing to long-term objectives.
- Action-Oriented Explanations: Advises not merely listing goals but also detailing actions planned to achieve them.
- Company-Centric Focus: Encourages highlighting how the candidate's aspirations align with adding value to the company.
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Cautionary Advice - What Not to Say:
- Avoid Salary Discussions: Advises against discussing salary-related goals during these discussions.
- Avoid Over-specific Details: Recommends maintaining a balance between clear goals and a flexible attitude, avoiding overly specific details.
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Potential Follow-Up Questions: Provides examples of follow-up questions that might arise from discussing career goals and suggests effective ways to respond to them.
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FAQs about Interviews: Offers guidance on common interview questions, preparation strategies, and approaches to effectively ready oneself for the interview process.
In essence, the article provides comprehensive guidance on preparing for interview questions about career goals, emphasizing alignment with company objectives, action-oriented planning, and professional development strategies. It underscores the importance of presenting a narrative that showcases mutual benefits for both the candidate and the prospective employer.
