The interview question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?,” is a tough one. Most of us aren’t thinking about where we want to be in 1 year, let alone 5 years. So when this question comes up in an interview, it can throw you for a loop.

Interviews like to ask this question because they want to gauge your long-term commitment to the company and the position. To make sure you really impress the interviewer, follow these 3 tips for answering the interview question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

If we’ve never met before, I’m Heather Austin from ProfessorAustin.com and The Career Club on Facebook, and here, I share simple solutions to help you build a business or launch a career you love.

Interview Guide Cheat Sheet

Your step-by-step guide to answering the most popular interview questions!

Tip 1 – Know the Career Progression

Before interview day, learn as much as you can about the natural and logical career progression for someone in the position you are applying for.

For example, let’s say you are applying for a position as a project manager. Most project managers start out working on a team that is managed by another, more senior-level project manager.

In time, a project manager can make a smooth transition into upper-level management or even into becoming a chief operating officer (COO).

Use resources like Google and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out more about the job outlook and what advancement looks like in the position you are applying for.

Tip 2 – Show Your Passion for the Position

One of the best ways to tackle this question is to let the interviewer know that you are extremely passionate about the position you are applying for.

This will help you keep your answer focused on the current position rather than pinpointing other positions you’d like to take on within the company.

Elaborate on the impact you’ll make in the current role and express your interest in taking on more responsibilities and even leadership.

Tip 3 – Show Your Long-Term Commitment

Chances are you’ll advance in your career over the next 5 years, meaning you’ll have outgrown the position you initially applied for. Employers want to know they can count on you to be around for awhile.

It’s not cheap for company to recruit and hire for new talent, so they want to make sure they are making a wise investment if they select you for the role.

To demonstrate your long-term commitment, mention the value you’ll provide in the next 5 years and the growth you’d like the company to receive as a result of you being in the position.

Put It All Together

When you answer this question, avoid answers like, “In 5 years, I see myself in your shoes,” or “5 years from now I see myself running this place.” Answers like these come across as overbearing and may even lead the interviewer to think that you aren’t very interested in the position you applied for.

Using our project manager example, here is a better way to answer this question:

5 years from now, I see myself perfecting the role of project manager. I am very passionate about ensuring all departments are functioning effectively and staying on task. In the long-term, I’d like to assume more leadership responsibilities by using my strengths in management, organization and communication.

You’ll notice that the first part of this answer mentions the candidate’s passion for the role, and the second part mentions their long-term commitment for the company, while at the same time mentioning a desire for advancement without being too overbearing.

Best of luck in your job search and upcoming interview and remember to grab your interview guide cheat sheet!

Interview Guide Cheat Sheet

Your step-by-step guide to answering the most popular interview questions!