"Where do you see yourself in five years?" Your first response to this might be "I'm just trying to get through this semester's exams!" And let's be real, what student has a detailed career plan laid out while still in school?!
Luckily, this question isn't a trap. It's not about having a crystal-clear five-year plan. (In fact, you don't even have to answer with five years if you don't want to!)
To help you navigate this, we've prepared seven sample responses that will guide you in creating an answer that's authentic and shows you're thinking about your future without the pressure of plotting out every detail. Let's dive in!
For full-time roles, companies ask this question to avoid the headache of hiring someone who bounces out fast. Imagine this: they hire someone, turn down dozens of people, and then, one hour into the job, this person realizes it's not their thing. This is every hiring manager's worst nightmare. So this question is one way companies filter for people who will really commit.
Now, with internships, companies understand that you're still exploring and figuring things out. That said, they still want to see that spark of commitment. So if you’ve got a clearer idea of what you’re interested in, and that lines up with what the company does, you’ll be ahead of the game.
Remember, you're not being hired in a vacuum. You're being considered for a spot on an existing team. So hiring managers will ask about your goals to see if you'll fit into the team.
They're typically looking for a range of goals and personalities to create a well-balanced team. Picture this: if you say you want to be a manager in five years, but the team is already full of people eyeing that same spot, it’s a recipe for future disappointment. This question is about finding that sweet spot where your career goals and the team's requirements align perfectly.
This question is a two-way street. It's not just about whether you fit the team – it’s also about figuring out if the role fits you in terms of your preferences for career development.
Think about it this way: if you're the type who's gunning for rapid career advancement, not every company will be equipped to handle that pace. This question essentially helps the company assess if they can support your ambitions.
The first (and most universal) way to answer this question is to bring up the type of responsibilities you'd like to have.
For example:
Or you could say you'll start off as an individual contributor and then transition into management long-term!
Starting off, I want to dive deep into video editing here at your agency. I want to get really good at crafting videos that grab attention and tell a story.
Over time, I'd want to learn more about how these videos fit into the bigger picture, for instance, how they drive a campaign and deliver maximal results for clients. Down the line, I see myself stepping up into a strategy role. I’d love to lead a team where we mix creativity with strategy, making videos that aren’t just cool but really make an impact.
So I see myself starting with the nitty-gritty of video editing and growing into a role where I help shape the strategy behind what we make.
✅ This response works because:
It outlines a well-thought-out path, starting from a hands-on role in video editing and gradually transitioning into a strategic leadership position. This shows foresight and planning in your career development.
It shows you're grounded: While you express aspirations for a leadership role in the future, you also emphasize your willingness and eagerness to engage in the detailed, hands-on work at the beginning. This balance ensures you don't come across as someone who is only interested in managerial positions and avoids the groundwork.
If the company has a clear career path for your role, you can mention the exact position you aim to be in after five years. For example, if they have a ladder from Junior to Senior roles, look up which role you'd likely hit at 5-7 years and mention that as your goal.
So as a junior in college right now, I'm not super certain where I'll be but if I get to start out as an intern with your company, here's how I see things ideally playing out:
First off, the internship. I'm ready to jump in, get my hands dirty with real-world coding, absorbing as much as I can and learning collaboratively with my teammates. Assuming I perform during the internship, I'd secure a return offer here for a Junior Software Engineer role.
Fast forward a few years from there, and I see myself as a Senior Software Engineer. I'd get to tackle the really juicy challenges – diving into complex coding projects, debugging tricky issues that really test my skills, and working more independently.
✅ This response works because:
It shows you've really looked into the company. Big companies often share their job levels on their website. By using their job titles like 'Junior Software Engineer' and 'Senior Software Engineer,' you show that you’ve checked out what they offer and are serious about fitting in.
You talk about more than just job titles. It’s good that you're excited about the actual work, like coding and debugging, not just getting a fancy job title. This shows you're really into the work itself, not just looking to climb up the ladder fast.
If there's more than one role you could grow into, you can say that you can see yourself in multiple roles, depending on how your skills and interests evolve.
Well, I’m considering a few paths in public relations. During the internship and the rotation program, I'll get a feel for different roles, which should help clarify which direction is the best fit for me.
One option is becoming a Senior PR Manager. I like the idea of diving into strategy and working with the media. Or, I might go for an Event Planning Manager role – I’m really drawn to the creativity of organizing big events. There’s also the Corporate Communications Manager path, where I’d focus on the messaging side of things.
Honestly, all these roles sound great to me right now. This internship is the first step to see which one clicks. I’m excited to start the journey and find the best fit for both myself and whatever firm I end up in.
✅ This response works because:
Besides bringing up future roles and responsibilities, you can also focus on the skills and industry knowledge you want to develop. For example, here's a response a student might give if they're aiming for a tax accounting role.
Where do I see myself in five years? Honestly, I'm not 100% certain about specializing in tax just yet, so this internship is going to be a big decider for me. If I find that I enjoy the tax service line, then here’s the plan:
In five years, I want to be super knowledgeable about tax regulations and how they play out in real life. I wouldn't just want to be familiar with the tax code, but also be well-read on tax-related lawsuits to understand where clients might be exposed and how to protect them.
So, if I discover a passion for tax in this internship, five years into this path, I'd hope to be an expert in the field. Not just someone who works on tax issues, but someone who understands the deeper legal and financial implications and can offer top-notch advice to clients.
Explain that the role offers you great opportunities to both learn more about the industry and grow within your own career path. Hiring managers are looking for high-potential candidates.
✅ This response works because:
If you're aiming for a management role down the line, expressing your interest in mentoring others is a great way to indicate this. Managers are often expected not only to oversee projects and manage resources but also to guide and develop their team members.
When you express a desire to mentor, you're showing that you're not just looking to advance in terms of job title or salary. You're committed to improving the team, not just yourself.
In five years? I see myself as someone who’s not just doing engineering work, but also helping guide junior engineers just starting out.
At school, I've enjoyed helping my classmates, whether it's tutoring them in challenging courses or collaborating on group projects. Helping them made me realize I love teaching and leading just as much as I love engineering.
So five to ten years down the line, after I’ve tackled all kinds of cool engineering challenges, I'd hope to be in a position where mentoring new engineers is part of my day-to-day – where I'd help them work through a tough problem or share tips on managing project stress.
✅ This response works because:
If you're applying to a company that provides plenty of opportunities to its interns and early career hires, you can also mention this in your five year plan.
In five years, I really see myself making the most of what this company offers. The global opportunities here are a big draw for me. I actually talked to a friend who works here and got sent abroad. Hearing about their experiences really opened my eyes to the possibilities. I can picture myself working in different countries, soaking up new cultures and business practices, and bringing that global perspective back to my team.
And the rotational program is exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for. It’s a chance to learn different parts of the company, pick up a bunch of skills, and really see where I fit best.
So, in five years, I want to be someone who’s not just experienced in one area, but has a broad, global perspective of the company. I'm excited about growing in a place that puts so much into developing its people.
✅ This response works because:
At your stage in life, interviewers totally understand if you don't have a clear idea where you'll be in five years. They're mainly looking to understand your approach to career growth and your long-term thinking so feel free to just pick a shorter time frame if it helps you discuss your thinking more concretely.
At this point, as I'm still in school, it's hard to say where I'll be in five years. But I can say for sure that I'll devote the first 2-3 years of my career to deep diving into [specific role or field] and becoming proficient in [specific skills or tools relevant to the role].
Another specific goal is to understand the company’s position in the industry better. I want to learn about our key competitors, market trends, and how we can stand out. I mean, it's one thing to read about your company and its competitors from the outside, but I know that the true insights come from being on the inside. Once I'm actually working in the industry, I'll have a much clearer and more nuanced perspective.
So these are the concrete steps I plan to take in the next few years to grow in my role and I'm sure I'll have a better idea after 2-3 years of real, hands-on work experience.
✅ This response works because:
It's OK to not know exactly where you'll be in five years. Employers will understand if you don't have everything figured out or if you think your plans might change. But they do want to see that you've put some effort into your future – especially if they might be involved!
It's okay to have plans for further education, but the limited time you have during an interview probably isn't when you want to bring this up.
So even if going back to school is part of your plan, it’s better to show how you're excited about and committed to the opportunity at hand. Focus on how the job aligns with your current career goals. You can talk about the skills you want to develop or how you hope to contribute to the company in the next few years.
If you're interviewing for a job in one industry but say you want to work in a completely different industry in five years, it can be a red flag for employers.
Here's why: companies invest a lot of time and resources in training their employees. If you express an interest in a different field, it signals to them that you might leave the job as soon as you get a better opportunity ... which means they may not see a return on their investment!
This one is tricky. At a start-up like ours, we'd probably understand if you said you wanted to start your own business and that joining a start-up is part of getting the experience you need to do that. However, if you're applying for a corporate job, it's generally safer to avoid mentioning that you plan to start your own business.
Here’s why: Big corporations invest a lot in their junior staff. So when you express a desire to start your own business, it can suggest that your focus and commitment might shift away from your role in the company sooner rather than later, which could make employers hesitant to invest in your professional development.
If you're applying for a role in corporate finance and respond to the "Where do you see yourself in five years?" question with an aspiration to move into wealth management, this could be problematic if the company doesn't have a wealth management department.
In this scenario, mentioning your interest in wealth management could signal to the interviewer that your long-term career goals don’t align with what the company can offer. This might lead them to believe that you won’t find the career fulfillment you're seeking in their company and may eventually leave for opportunities elsewhere.
As a result, the recruiter might favor candidates whose future career plans are more closely aligned with the company’s services and departments, ensuring a better long-term fit.
Worse yet: "I want to be your boss" or "I want to be CEO in five years!"
OK, probably no student in their right mind would say that last one. But the point is, responses like these risk coming across as too rushed. While it's great to have high aspirations, such statements can be off-putting.
For one, climbing the corporate ladder typically takes time and experience. Claiming that you aim to reach the top so quickly can seem unrealistic and naïve about the work and dedication required. It also can suggest that you don't value teamwork or the process of learning and growing within a role or team.
It's generally better to express your ambition in terms of the skills you want to develop, the contributions you want to make, and your eagerness to learn and grow within the company over a realistic timeframe.
While personal goals are important, a job interview is primarily an opportunity to discuss your professional aspirations and how they align with what the company is looking for in a candidate.
Sharing your dreams of home ownership won't help a company determine whether they should give you a job, which is the whole point of an interview!
We hope you've gained some clarity about what this question is actually about so you can nail it at your next interview.
In the meantime, if you're still shopping for opportunities, remember to check out the thousands of internships on our jobs board!