Everyone anticipates it. Everyone is prepared for it. So, HR scoffs at it. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” The answer you get in will be canned. It will be rehearsed. It is a waste of time. “I want to be in a position at a company where I can grow and take on new challenges. I’d like to assume more management responsibilities and be part of an organization where I can build a career.” That’s a real snoozer! No value to you. But, hold on. There is some merit in asking it. Resist the urge to avoid the cliched question with the cliched answer. Here are three reasons to incorporate it in your interview:
- It can’t hurt. How much time will it take? 20 seconds? In the rehearsed answer the candidate won’t go into great depth with lots of revealing detail anyway. If you are serious about hiring for the position, you can spare the 20 seconds. The question is anticipated so why not get it out of the way?
- At least the canned answer will tell you that the candidate is prepared. Not a bad quality. You might also notice a snicker, indicating a relaxed personality. You could even deliver it with a sly smile to prompt the snicker.
- Sometimes you get a different answer. Sometimes you get that red flag that the question is meant to uncover. Sometimes the candidate is stumped and unsure. That’s another red flag. At the other extreme you might get someone who truly believes they are a great match for the position and the company. They’ve done their homework and really want the job. They will be prepared for the question, but the answer won’t be a toss away general answer, like the one above, that they deliver in every interview. Instead they will wow you with something specific. It might just make the candidate irresistible.
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