One of the most common questions asked in job interviews is “Where do you see yourself in five years?” For people who have a clear idea of what they want their career to look like or the opportunities available to them, this may be a relatively easy question to answer. But for most, it can be challenging, particularly if the role you’re being interviewed for is a temporary or contract position.

What are employers looking for?

The reason why potential employers ask this question is because they want to know whether your aspirations are aligned with their company. Recruiting people is an expensive and time-consuming process, so employers want to make sure they get it right the first time regardless of whether the role is permanent or temporary. It’s also not uncommon for a temporary position to become permanent, so when hiring for a temporary role many employers are actually looking to hire someone who may be a long-term fit for their company.

While employers want to see that you have ambition and drive, they aren’t necessarily looking to recruit the next CEO so that’s rarely the best answer to the question “Where do you see yourself in five years time.” An employer wants to understand what you’re hoping to get out of the position they’re recruiting for.

So, what should you say?

The key to answering the question “Where do you see yourself in five years” is to be honest and tangible. Give a potential employer an opportunity to understand if they can offer you the right development opportunities and keep you engaged in the position.

This could involve talking about the kind of training that you’d like to access or the skills that you’re hoping to develop in the medium to long-term. Having the opportunity to get involved with particular projects or being part of a company that shares your values and work ethic are also good ways to demonstrate that you’ve thought about the company and what you want to get out of your career and the role. The more specific you can be about your goals and aspirations, the more they can understand whether you’re a good fit for both the role and the company.

This is where researching the company in depth before the interview can be useful. If their website mentions the type of training programs they have you could talk about them. If they’re expanding into a new market or vertical that sounds interesting to you then you could possibly mention that. If you can’t find any information on the company or nothing they offer is of interest to you, then perhaps think about what else you can do outside of work to get you where you want to go. This will show that you’ve thought about what you want to do in the future and are proactive about achieving it.

Regardless of the type of role that you’re applying for, employers are looking for people who are genuine and enthusiastic. If your answers reflect this, it should leave you in good stead. Last but certainly not least, there’s no right or wrong answer to the question ‘where do you see yourself in five years’. That’s because it’s your career and only you know where you want it to be.

As you take the next step in your career, partner with an agency who can help you get where you want to go.