Where do you see yourself in five years?

No one tells you this question isn't about your career plan. But it's the moment where most candidates accidentally talk themselves out of the job.

After years helping job seekers prepare for interviews, here's what I've learnt about what hiring managers are actually listening for when they ask this:

🔍 They're not asking because they care about your dreams. They're calculating risk. They're wondering whether you'll stick around long enough to be worth the investment, or whether you'll leave the moment something shinier comes along.

📸 They're not looking for a detailed roadmap. They're looking for alignment. Does what you want match what this role can realistically offer? Or are you going to be frustrated and gone in eighteen months?

📲 They're not testing your ambition. They're testing your judgement. Can you read the room? Do you understand what's appropriate to say in an interview versus what you save for your journal?

🕐 They're not planning your career for you. They're protecting their own. A bad hire costs time, money and credibility. This question helps them sleep at night.

💼 They're not expecting you to predict the future. They're expecting you to show that you've thought about it, and that your thinking makes sense for the role in front of you.

Here's what most candidates get wrong:

They either aim too high, too low, or dodge the question entirely.

❌ Too high: "I'd love to be in a senior leadership position, maybe running my own division." Translation: You'll be bored here within a year and looking for the exit.

❌ Too low: "Honestly, I'd just be happy to still be employed." Translation: You have no drive, and they'll be managing your motivation forever.

❌ The dodge: "I'm really just focused on the here and now." Translation: You haven't thought about this, or you're hiding something.

None of these make the interviewer feel safe. And safe is what gets you hired.

Here's what actually works:

💚 Show you've done your homework on the role and the company's trajectory.

💚 Connect your growth goals to what's realistically possible in that environment.

💚 Signal commitment without sounding like you'll never leave.

💚 Demonstrate ambition without threatening the person interviewing you.

A strong answer sounds something like this:

"In five years, I'd like to have deepened my expertise in [relevant area] and taken on more responsibility, whether that's leading projects, mentoring others, or contributing to strategy. I'm drawn to this role because it looks like there's real scope to grow here, and I'm keen to build something meaningful rather than jump around."

Why this works:

✅ It shows ambition, but grounded ambition.

✅ It signals loyalty without sounding desperate.

✅ It focuses on contribution, not just personal gain.

✅ It tells them you've thought about fit, not just getting hired.

Because here's what's really happening when they ask this question:

They're not listening to your five-year plan. They're listening for red flags.

Will you outgrow this role in six months? Are you using them as a stepping stone? Will you leave the moment you're fully trained? Are you going to want their job before they're ready to give it up?

Your answer needs to quietly address all of that without saying any of it directly.

That's not about having the perfect plan. It's about making them feel confident that hiring you isn't a risk they'll regret.

Answer the question they're actually asking, and you'll feel the shift in the room.

Book now to get clarity on where you see yourself in five years.