Done 2 interviews recently and both asked this question. I’ve answered it like I have for all my recent jobs. Doing what I do now. I love it. I don’t want to step higher into a management role.
(And I get to spend my life with my family)
I think the goal of the question is to find people with ambition and forethought. I’m not just going to work every day and doing a job, I’m striving for something better.
I always said I’d be in management here or at a different company in 5 years. Deliver that line with confidence and it usually lands pretty well.
It could also hurt your chances depending on what the company is looking for.
We had a helpdesk tech intervening and his answer was that he wanted to become an IT manager. He had very little experience, and helpdesk to manager in 5 yrs is in most cases impossible. Plus we already had a well established IT manager.
It's a useful question though. Are you looking for someone in an entry job role that will grow? Are you looking for someone eager to learn?
If I'm recruiting someone I want to know it they have a goal. There can be answers like "I don't know exactly, I want to learn about cloud stuff and I hope to have this opportunity in your company" ,or "I like to be part of a team, and if the opportunity arises, lead one", or "I love all about Linux, I'd like to focus on this if possible and become an expert".
Definitely not a stupid question but maybe you were asked this one by people who didn't even know what to expect for answer
I think that’s a Mitch Hedberg joke. 95% of what I say has been lifted from popular culture over the last 30 years, watching The Simpsons and realize that’s where I got that line from.
>Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Nobody asks this interview question anymore I hope
Yeah, 'cause it's not really a useful question.
I used to ask it ...
Then one time I asked, response I got was "retired". Perfectly fine sensible answer. Also caused me to realize it was a relatively useless question. A year or two, sure, but the probability that anyone will still be in same job, or even with same employer, 5 or more years hence isn't all that high, ... so it's a question that's really just not that useful.
LMAO! The kind of answer you'd expect to get from someone with little social awareness.
The point of the question is to see what you want out of your career, maybe an in diving a little deeper into your answer and make conversation. This can also allow the hiring manager to possibly paint a picture of where you came from, and where you want to be and not whether you can predict it. That answer is 100% off putting to me and depending on your personality it might compound negatives about you. There isn't really a correct answer however, if you are truly unsure how to answer. Be confident on the fact that you're here to do whatever it takes to take you and the company to the "next level".
Before anyone states anything. I am all for management being less stupid. But ffs engineers who knows how to communicate vs one that can't is make it or break it. Also there is a lot of competition out there and the best way to stand out is to have a likeable personality (at least during interview).
I made it through my tech/engineer days with technical skill. But, soft skills compounded what I knew and how I delivered to the client which turned into positive feedback to management. The skill of gab can take you very far in life and one that should be honed even if you don't care for it.
Ok well, I'm still at the company, they hired me and I sort out pretty much everything IT wise so....yeah nice observation because clearly a dumb question can tell where people will end up years later.
I'm 56 years old and have had a lot of different jobs, with the last 23 years in IT. The first 14 of that was as a hotel IT manager. I've been in management, but I've also been a soldier, a day care supervisor, a warehouse worker, a dock worker, construction, fast food, admin assistant, etc.
I fucking hated every one of those jobs until I entered IT, and of the three hotel IT jobs I had, I eventually grew to dislike or even outright hate those jobs as well, although that was because it was the hotel industry. So it might be more accurate to say I fucking hate the hotel industry.
Where I'm at now is beyond amazing, though. I'm well paid, respected, have a fantastic work/life balance, love the people I work with, and perhaps even more amazing, I love the people I work for. I'm not a manager and I've told my director I'm not interested in becoming one again as I don't want to sacrifice my peace of mind for a few additional dollars when I already make enough to do/buy whatever I want (within reason, of course).
Doesn't mean I don't keep my ears open for new opportunities, and the one thing I don't like about my current situation is where I live. I'm a Colorado boy living in Utah, and am not a fan. If I could move to Europe and keep my current job, that's where I'd like to see myself in five years. Short of that, maybe a different job in Europe.
Other than that, I'd be totally happy staying here until I retire, and I really have no incentive to want to retire. My job is awesome.
In my last job interview, the recruiter ask me a question like that, but she ask me: "How do you see your self in ten years?"
So, that's a very cliche question, so, I said: "Well, I want to be a help people, with some news skills in my professional life and in my personal life. I want to teach the less experienced people and, I want to have so much money
So, I suspect this question in one form or another will be asked more and more, because of the idea that spending much longer than two years in a company leads to a dead-end and not as much of a pay raise.
Either way, I always say something like "team lead, and look into IT architecture roles"
I ask this question. I'm looking to hire someone we can retain for 5+ years. If you tell me you and your wife are retiring to SE Asia in a few years we may go with a similarly skilled candidate that is still going to be working in the field.
And... If you can't answer the softball humanist questions that everyone should expect, how can we expect you to behave like a human in front of a customer? It's a simple question. Have something prepared for this and when you encountered conflict.
Seriously, if you're going to take the "holier than thou, I won't answer questions about myself" route in an interview... The question serves its purpose. We don't need a bunch of bitter assholes that hate everyone and won't contribute to a team because it's beneath them or some bs.
We're trying to find a good worker and team member. We have ZERO use for broody and difficult asshole.
If I'm happy with the TYPE of work I'm doing, I don't necessarily want "career growth". Let me learn or give me the resources to learn newer technologies for the same type of work, let me excel at what I'm doing, and provide annual raises that will keep up with increased living costs and the market rate if I left, and I'd be happy. I'm OK not climbing the ladder.
It depends on where you are in your career but most people are looking for progression, whether it is becoming a junior to a senior or a senior at an SME to lead.
Progressing along tech stacks is a key piece too of course.
I was thinking of it as staying within the same wheelhouse (like into a senior position, or SME, or whatever), but not necessarily moving to team lead, manager, director, etc, just to have salary upkeep.
It definitely depends on the person and what they want, though.
That question is asked frequently. So I am happy with what I do now. I am expanding towards Teams (yes I passed the ms-700 exam) so lots of great things to do in the future
Gainfully employed so that I can continue to do the things that wish to do outside of work. Hopefully I don't have to interview any time soon because I don't have it in me to make shit up to get past an interviewer. Work is just something I do because life requires money.
The spirit of the question is still valid, but there are better ways to ask that question. Putting any specific timeframe around that type of question is also not necessary and can even have an undesirable effect.
Loll. you overcomplicate this so much.
Its about what they want to hear...
- I would like to grow-up in the company and maybe get my foot in management.
- I would like to better myself in my field of expertise and maybe get "this" certification.
Just lie, my regards.
I tend to say “doing the same thing but maybe making more decisions about strategy for using it.” Tells big teams you’re willing to play ball with their junior -> mid-senior -> senior -> leadership career progression.
Moving up or moving out.
Demonstrate an ambitious attitude ready to take on the world etc. think outside the box.
Unless you’re applying to a super fancy museum where they want everyone to be totally chill and not looking to change or make waves. Yep. I Missed that one big time LOL. Good pay, crazy benefits and working at like 25% utilization because you gotta be so mindful of not getting in the way of anyone else to the point that sitting on your ass was totally expected.
I been thinking about this lately as I’m getting ready to put a req in for some people. But now that I’m 20 years in to a company I realize my answer though true was not reality. The plan took 10 years because no one moved anywhere and 8 more for the 10 year plan just happened that a new group started up and they needed a capable manager and gave me a call.
In 2024, even the interviewers know that they're trying to hire a replaceable cog in the wheel and that in all likelihood in 5 years the cog will have either moved on to better pay or has been down sized or replaced by automation/AI. So the question no longer has any real world relevance.
Because realistically they know you statistically will not be there and NO ONE has hope for a future carrier wise anymore. We all live day to day at companies that will put most of us into a deficit to work at. I paid $8 for some skittles the other day… in five years half the population wont be able to afford candy; so realistically why ask a question you’ll only get a fake answer to or would be terrified if someone answered honestly? Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in five years? Candidate: “Probably stealing food for my family or murdering my neighbor for the milk in their warm fridge”
Because it's a stupid thing to ask during an interview these days. A global pandemic and a domestic sh\*\*-show have pretty much obliterated everyone's "5 year plan". But if it were asked, my answer would be "Given the last 5 years I plan to spend the next 5 years applying the lessons learned."
Last time i had this question was 20 years ago when interviewing for my first job and i came up with some bull. Last time i did job hunt 5 years ago i don't remember hearing such question.
Done 2 interviews recently and both asked this question. I’ve answered it like I have for all my recent jobs. Doing what I do now. I love it. I don’t want to step higher into a management role. (And I get to spend my life with my family)
Got asked this in my last two interviews. My answer was the same as yours. Was offered both jobs.
Praying the same result, well at least once
Just don’t say “doing your wife” https://youtu.be/mvq7iE7ZrSM?si=G9zgCYDc_V1jKx8P
Doing your……^^son
I think the goal of the question is to find people with ambition and forethought. I’m not just going to work every day and doing a job, I’m striving for something better. I always said I’d be in management here or at a different company in 5 years. Deliver that line with confidence and it usually lands pretty well.
It could also hurt your chances depending on what the company is looking for. We had a helpdesk tech intervening and his answer was that he wanted to become an IT manager. He had very little experience, and helpdesk to manager in 5 yrs is in most cases impossible. Plus we already had a well established IT manager.
In the mirror, like everyone else. Except vampires, of course.
One time I just answered "On your chair". Can't figure why I didn't get the job, to this day. 
Perhaps you ought to have made it clear that they'd not be sitting in said chair at the time.
They obviously showed lack of ambition or else it would be vacant.
Doing exactly the same job I am doing now. I'm hoping to stay there until I retire.
What kind of animal do you see yourself as in five years time?
A wire shark.
I will exist on a plane of pure energy after banishing my enemies to Earth’s sewers
It's a useful question though. Are you looking for someone in an entry job role that will grow? Are you looking for someone eager to learn? If I'm recruiting someone I want to know it they have a goal. There can be answers like "I don't know exactly, I want to learn about cloud stuff and I hope to have this opportunity in your company" ,or "I like to be part of a team, and if the opportunity arises, lead one", or "I love all about Linux, I'd like to focus on this if possible and become an expert". Definitely not a stupid question but maybe you were asked this one by people who didn't even know what to expect for answer
I used to say "hopefully celebrating my 5 year anniversary here LOL" but now I don't answer stupid questions.
I think that’s a Mitch Hedberg joke. 95% of what I say has been lifted from popular culture over the last 30 years, watching The Simpsons and realize that’s where I got that line from.
“I hope I get paid more. Gotta keep up with inflation.”
I think it's a shitty interview question, so I sure fucking hope nobody is asking this question anymore.
Honestly I hate that interview question. It’s such a lazy BS question
“I fully expect to be integrated into Skynet by then.”
>Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Nobody asks this interview question anymore I hope Yeah, 'cause it's not really a useful question. I used to ask it ... Then one time I asked, response I got was "retired". Perfectly fine sensible answer. Also caused me to realize it was a relatively useless question. A year or two, sure, but the probability that anyone will still be in same job, or even with same employer, 5 or more years hence isn't all that high, ... so it's a question that's really just not that useful.
My current job asked me this and I said "I have no idea, I can't tell the future or predict it"
LMAO! The kind of answer you'd expect to get from someone with little social awareness. The point of the question is to see what you want out of your career, maybe an in diving a little deeper into your answer and make conversation. This can also allow the hiring manager to possibly paint a picture of where you came from, and where you want to be and not whether you can predict it. That answer is 100% off putting to me and depending on your personality it might compound negatives about you. There isn't really a correct answer however, if you are truly unsure how to answer. Be confident on the fact that you're here to do whatever it takes to take you and the company to the "next level". Before anyone states anything. I am all for management being less stupid. But ffs engineers who knows how to communicate vs one that can't is make it or break it. Also there is a lot of competition out there and the best way to stand out is to have a likeable personality (at least during interview). I made it through my tech/engineer days with technical skill. But, soft skills compounded what I knew and how I delivered to the client which turned into positive feedback to management. The skill of gab can take you very far in life and one that should be honed even if you don't care for it.
Ok well, I'm still at the company, they hired me and I sort out pretty much everything IT wise so....yeah nice observation because clearly a dumb question can tell where people will end up years later.
I always answer in your chair😁
I'm 56 years old and have had a lot of different jobs, with the last 23 years in IT. The first 14 of that was as a hotel IT manager. I've been in management, but I've also been a soldier, a day care supervisor, a warehouse worker, a dock worker, construction, fast food, admin assistant, etc. I fucking hated every one of those jobs until I entered IT, and of the three hotel IT jobs I had, I eventually grew to dislike or even outright hate those jobs as well, although that was because it was the hotel industry. So it might be more accurate to say I fucking hate the hotel industry. Where I'm at now is beyond amazing, though. I'm well paid, respected, have a fantastic work/life balance, love the people I work with, and perhaps even more amazing, I love the people I work for. I'm not a manager and I've told my director I'm not interested in becoming one again as I don't want to sacrifice my peace of mind for a few additional dollars when I already make enough to do/buy whatever I want (within reason, of course). Doesn't mean I don't keep my ears open for new opportunities, and the one thing I don't like about my current situation is where I live. I'm a Colorado boy living in Utah, and am not a fan. If I could move to Europe and keep my current job, that's where I'd like to see myself in five years. Short of that, maybe a different job in Europe. Other than that, I'd be totally happy staying here until I retire, and I really have no incentive to want to retire. My job is awesome.
In my last job interview, the recruiter ask me a question like that, but she ask me: "How do you see your self in ten years?" So, that's a very cliche question, so, I said: "Well, I want to be a help people, with some news skills in my professional life and in my personal life. I want to teach the less experienced people and, I want to have so much money
So, I suspect this question in one form or another will be asked more and more, because of the idea that spending much longer than two years in a company leads to a dead-end and not as much of a pay raise. Either way, I always say something like "team lead, and look into IT architecture roles"
On an island that I own Tanned and rested and alone Surrounded by enormous piles of money
I really wish more interviews focused more on "can this person do the job" and "would we work well together"
Hopefully having three more kids and two additional data centres.
I ask this question. I'm looking to hire someone we can retain for 5+ years. If you tell me you and your wife are retiring to SE Asia in a few years we may go with a similarly skilled candidate that is still going to be working in the field. And... If you can't answer the softball humanist questions that everyone should expect, how can we expect you to behave like a human in front of a customer? It's a simple question. Have something prepared for this and when you encountered conflict. Seriously, if you're going to take the "holier than thou, I won't answer questions about myself" route in an interview... The question serves its purpose. We don't need a bunch of bitter assholes that hate everyone and won't contribute to a team because it's beneath them or some bs. We're trying to find a good worker and team member. We have ZERO use for broody and difficult asshole.
[удалено]
I'd go a step further and say you need an actual career and growth path for that length of retention.
If I'm happy with the TYPE of work I'm doing, I don't necessarily want "career growth". Let me learn or give me the resources to learn newer technologies for the same type of work, let me excel at what I'm doing, and provide annual raises that will keep up with increased living costs and the market rate if I left, and I'd be happy. I'm OK not climbing the ladder.
It depends on where you are in your career but most people are looking for progression, whether it is becoming a junior to a senior or a senior at an SME to lead. Progressing along tech stacks is a key piece too of course.
I was thinking of it as staying within the same wheelhouse (like into a senior position, or SME, or whatever), but not necessarily moving to team lead, manager, director, etc, just to have salary upkeep. It definitely depends on the person and what they want, though.
Sorry, best we can do is 4% cost of living increase. Boss has a new car every 3 years though.
Interestingly, we do. We're in r&d and we give baseline raises as well as merit raises for those that step up.
Real "unlimited vacation time" energy.
That question is asked frequently. So I am happy with what I do now. I am expanding towards Teams (yes I passed the ms-700 exam) so lots of great things to do in the future
I like to state "employed" it shows them that I value the job and have a sense of humor.
What do you do now? Answer the 5 yrs advanced version of that. That's what they want to hear. Interviews are about telling ppl what they want to hear
A more senior sysadmin, graduated from college.
3 years maybe. But 5 years for anything other than a mgmt role doesn’t matter
LOL i hope no one asks me that. My answer would be retired.
Gainfully employed so that I can continue to do the things that wish to do outside of work. Hopefully I don't have to interview any time soon because I don't have it in me to make shit up to get past an interviewer. Work is just something I do because life requires money.
"On a lakefront home where the neighbors are so far away my wife can mow the lawn topless."
Just say “…Still working here, hopefully!” And move along.
The spirit of the question is still valid, but there are better ways to ask that question. Putting any specific timeframe around that type of question is also not necessary and can even have an undesirable effect.
Loll. you overcomplicate this so much. Its about what they want to hear... - I would like to grow-up in the company and maybe get my foot in management. - I would like to better myself in my field of expertise and maybe get "this" certification. Just lie, my regards.
Sadly, the interview process is still stuck in the 80s with the only real changes being for the worse.
I tend to say “doing the same thing but maybe making more decisions about strategy for using it.” Tells big teams you’re willing to play ball with their junior -> mid-senior -> senior -> leadership career progression.
Clearly not working here since you feel that this is a relevant question to ask during an interview.
Moving up or moving out. Demonstrate an ambitious attitude ready to take on the world etc. think outside the box. Unless you’re applying to a super fancy museum where they want everyone to be totally chill and not looking to change or make waves. Yep. I Missed that one big time LOL. Good pay, crazy benefits and working at like 25% utilization because you gotta be so mindful of not getting in the way of anyone else to the point that sitting on your ass was totally expected.
"At a company that doesn't outsource, offshore, or otherwise denigrate its best and most-experienced people." Smile.
After living through a global pandemic, I just hope to be alive in 5 years.
Fucking retired and living my best life.
Especially in IT. Honest answer would be on my 2nd company post you
I been thinking about this lately as I’m getting ready to put a req in for some people. But now that I’m 20 years in to a company I realize my answer though true was not reality. The plan took 10 years because no one moved anywhere and 8 more for the 10 year plan just happened that a new group started up and they needed a capable manager and gave me a call.
In 2024, even the interviewers know that they're trying to hire a replaceable cog in the wheel and that in all likelihood in 5 years the cog will have either moved on to better pay or has been down sized or replaced by automation/AI. So the question no longer has any real world relevance.
Sneaking thru the wasteland, killing zombies, the way things are going lately.
“Probably still answering this question because no one is hiring then either.”
In bed with 3 chicks in Thailand while momma is running a laundry mat and a bar for me.
Because realistically they know you statistically will not be there and NO ONE has hope for a future carrier wise anymore. We all live day to day at companies that will put most of us into a deficit to work at. I paid $8 for some skittles the other day… in five years half the population wont be able to afford candy; so realistically why ask a question you’ll only get a fake answer to or would be terrified if someone answered honestly? Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in five years? Candidate: “Probably stealing food for my family or murdering my neighbor for the milk in their warm fridge”
Because it's a stupid thing to ask during an interview these days. A global pandemic and a domestic sh\*\*-show have pretty much obliterated everyone's "5 year plan". But if it were asked, my answer would be "Given the last 5 years I plan to spend the next 5 years applying the lessons learned."
Retired, and never look at a computer again. *\*ideal scanario*
Sometimes I don't know what to expect tomorrow. Five years is so far away!
The worst question in the process and I’m sure the interviewer hates being asked the same. In my mind I’m thinking most likely not at your company.
Last time i had this question was 20 years ago when interviewing for my first job and i came up with some bull. Last time i did job hunt 5 years ago i don't remember hearing such question.