“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
That’s one of the most awkward questions that the candidate may be asked during job interviews.
“Ah, I don’t even know what I am going to have for dinner. How can I see so far into the future?” you may ponder.
So, how should you answer this tricky question during the interview? Go on reading, and you’ll find all the answers to your questions.
Why do they ask, “where do you see yourself 10 years from now?”
Employers ask you this question because they want to find out whether your goals align with the ones they have for their company. Their ideal employee isn’t someone who stays at their office for a year. Most hiring managers are searching for new employees who won’t leave the company so soon.
So, the best way to answer “where do you see yourself in 10 years?” is to show them that you want to gain more experience in your chosen field. You want them to invest in your talent, which would be a win-win situation for both the company and you!
Tips for answering “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
To answer this interview question successfully, consider the following tips:
1. Think about your future
Well, anyone would guess that to answer the question about your future, you need to ponder over your future! What kind of job would you like to have in 10 years? Keep in mind that the interviewer may ask various versions of this question. So, get ready to answer where you want to be in 1, 5, or 10 years.
2. Research the company
Like before all the interviews, researching the company is one of the keys to success. Find out what the company does and who is their target audience is. In the end, when taking over a job, you need to make sure you’re at the right company. Browse the company website or social media platforms and read the job description carefully. During the interview, do your best to show the hiring manager that you’re prepared and have researched its mission and values.
3. Make it relevant
During the interview, remember all the details of the job description and company info. Answer the question based on the carried out research. The hiring manager would want you to say that you have a long-term plan to work at that company. So, tell them that you love learning new stuff and growing in your role would be one of your main goals.
4. Be realistic
Be realistic when it comes to answering this question. The interviewer wants to hire someone who understands the essence of the job. So, saying that you’ll become the company’s head in 10 years won’t sound right.
5. Tell the interviewer what you want
Although you should have a relevant answer to the question, don’t forget to share your wants and needs. If the interviewer considers you the right candidate for the job, they will remember everything you said during the interview and offer you a role based on your wants.
6. Ask questions
The interview is a chance for you to get the answers to all the questions you have about the company and the role. Besides that, it will help you show the interviewer how interested you are in that position. If you don’t ask any questions, the interviewer may think you aren’t enthusiastic about the role you’ve applied for. Questions like “what are your long-term goals for someone in this role?” or “what are the goals of your company?” could be helpful.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: Example answers
Of course, your answer to “where do I see myself in 10 years” may alter based on your carried out research; it’s always good to prepare for the answer and have some thoughts about it in advance. Below you can find some of the examples of how people usually answer this interview question.
Example N1:
After learning more about your company, I see that you don’t stop growing. That is one of the reasons I applied for this role. It’s crucial for me to work at a company that has many areas for growth and does its best to be the first in the chosen field. In 10 years, I see myself as a part of your company but with more responsibilities. I hope to have learned all I can about this industry, and why not become an inspiration for the ones who join the company.
Example N2:
In 10 years, I hope to grow in this role as much as possible. I am interested in this field. That’s why I think I will use my maximum potential to learn new skills and help the company achieve its goals. I feel like my ideas will have positive effects on the company. So, I’ll use my communication skills to make this happen.
Example N3:
After learning more about your company and the role I’ve applied for, I am excited about joining you. I can see having a great future here. In 10 years, I see myself leading the marketing team. I am a lifelong learner, so I will do my best to advance my skills and earn this kind of position. I’d be so happy to join your company and get to know your team and the way you all work. I am never afraid of responsibilities. So, I see myself with more duties and tasks in 10 years. What are the long- and short-term goals of your company?
Check out some of the other job interview questions you may be asked when applying for a position at a company
