interview question I love

[MerrillLynch06]

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

Uh, how about making more money and being the boss? How the hell am I supposed to know? What the hell is an acceptable answer for this?

[meatwad]

"Don't say doin your wife. Don't say doin your wife. Don't say doin your wife.

Doin yer.........son?"

[lonestar]

Working In The Porn Biz!

[frogleggz]

I hate that question. I was asked that question at the interview for my current job. I forget what I said, but I think it was basically "I don't know" explained in a way that didn't make it seem like I was lacking ambition or direction. Of course you don't want to flat out say "I don't know" to any interview question.... but since I didn't have a 5 year plan at that moment (still don't, 2 years later) I couldn't exactly make something up on the spot.

[lonestar]

just say "plastics" and move on.

[spokes]

i think any interviewer who asks that question is retarded - what do they hope to get out aking that excpet for some vague answer that possibly involves the term "corporate paradigm"......

[Ambitious]

Where do I see myself in 5 years time? I’ve interviewed before but when I do I usually ask where do you see yourself in 2 years time? Because I know that young people these days job hop and to spend 1 year in a company is enough…depending on your age of course.

But you might find that the question is just standard procedure or if the interviewer really wants to know then they come from a generation where that’s how long they expect you to work for them and that’s what they are looking for. So we always bend the truth in interviews. The perfect answer to, where do I see myself in 5 years time?

“Well I have keen interest in this area and as long as there is career progression hopefully working for you… (and then just add in some extra crap) :)

[SpaceMonkey]

The worst was in my most recent interview. I was asked the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" question, and I gave the answer I had prepared for it. But the follow-up was, "What are your long-term goals?" Uhh...

[yankeeyosh]

Worst. Question. Ever.

I always say something like "more responsibility", or "becoming an expert in the industry" or "obtaining a designation" or something like that.

[astronaut83]

Worst. Question. Ever.
I've had a prepared answer for the past year or so, but every time I get asked this, I struggle.

[quietmood80]

You know, I truely hate this question... and I never know how to answer this one. How come college didn't teach me this stuff. lol.

Seriously, do they really care about what I'm gonna do in 5 years?

[Jedi of Zen]

The worst was in my most recent interview. I was asked the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" question, and I gave the answer I had prepared for it. But the follow-up was, "What are your long-term goals?" Uhh...

I hate that shit - because chances are, in your example at least, that you already answered most of the second question by giving your answer to the first question. So imho this is just a way of trying to see how well you stand up to cheap word games and intimidation. And pretty much every time I've ever encountered this sort of thing in an interview - for better or for worse - I've always called the interviewer on it. Of course, I try not to come off like an ass, but instead just gently but firmly say (more or less) "Well, as I just said..." And most of the time people will respect you for that. In my (limited) experiences, at least.

It's funny how in an interview, bosses are allowed to ask repetetive questions that would sound totally stupid and clueless if they were being asked in a "normal" context. (Clearly, I have some hang-ups on this topic :) )

[wordsmith]

Hah, every job I've ever interviewed for, the EMPLOYER has been the one to point out that "most people don't stay at this more than a couple of years." Fine by me.

[Sushi Chef]

Worst. Question. Ever.

I think the worst is...What are your weaknesses?...I mean, if I tell them my weaknesses, they won't hire me...

[Tenshi28]

I think the worst is...What are your weaknesses?...I mean, if I tell them my weaknesses, they won't hire me...

I hear you man!!

I absolutely NEVER know what the hell I am supposed to answer to that!! am I supposed to actually come out and say "well, I love to sleep so I hate coming here in the mornings and also I am lazy and completely uninterested by this job, it's just a way of paying the bills so I am not going to do anything more than the strictly necessary to not be fired"???

Okay, sure.

I guess I'll go back and read Dilbert again and use some of his answers to that question.

[DavidB]

I always thing answering a question like "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" with "In Barbados, running an offshore gambling empire, maybe with a burgeoning home-porn biz and totebag business to round out the enterprise" or "Going back to college because I got more sleep then" or "Hold on, pass me your crystal ball and I'll give it a shake, get right back to you" are all viable responses.

I've been asked that question, and I think the best way to respond is "Heard there are a lot of great opportunities here from others I've spoken with in the company, but right now I'd like to get my butt in THE JOB I'M INTERVIEWING FOR and do my very (damn - optional, for effect) best, concentrate on being as successful as I can in this position before exploring greater growth."

Tempered enthusiasm is the key with a job interview, and coming in w/ your points that you want to get across, you can steer most any answer toward what you want to talk about...like that offshore gambling vision.

David
www.BeBetterGuys.com
The Guy's Guide to Getting a Life

[yankeeyosh]

Hah, every job I've ever interviewed for, the EMPLOYER has been the one to point out that "most people don't stay at this more than a couple of years." Fine by me.

Yup....these days, if you're at a place more than a couple of years, you're pretty much an old timer.

Heck, the way things are going, I might not last where I am a year...let alone five...so the question is pretty moot in my case.

[almare]

I went on my first interview and the interviewer asked me what animal described my work ethic? I started laughing...

[wordsmith]

Yup....these days, if you're at a place more than a couple of years, you're pretty much an old timer.

Heck, the way things are going, I might not last where I am a year...let alone five...so the question is pretty moot in my case.

The type of work I'm hopefully getting into also happens to have a damned high burnout rate, and that's the main reason. And it's residential...most people are only content literally living AT their job for a few years' stretch at a time.

My current job only expects people to stay a few years, because it's a "stepping stone" level place.

[Kitty]

I know what I want to be doing in 5 years: managing a creative team.

[Kitty]

I went on my first interview and the interviewer asked me what animal described my work ethic? I started laughing...

That's awesome!!!

What did you say?