“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

It’s one of those interview questions you’re bound to hear: “Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?” It’s an awkward question because you may not necessarily see yourself at that same company…maybe this opportunity is just a stepping stone. (But there’s no need to say that in the interview!)

It’s also awkward because maybe you literally don’t know where you want to be in five years! As we’ve discussed before, every career path is not a straight line. It may not be totally clear where you are headed right now, or how this position will help you get there. And that’s okay! (But again, no need to say that in an interview setting.)

One easy way to spin this question to your advantage is to think about it more generically. Talk about how you want to be working for a company that you believe in and in a position that inspires and challenges you on a daily basis. Talk about how this opportunity meets those boxes at this moment. Make sure it’s clear that this position aligns with your career goals. That’s ultimately why this question is asked.

Image via Sparklehausen/Flickr.