"Where do you see yourself in X years?" 2

[HgTX]

How in hell does anyone answer this question in anything but the vaguest terms?

If I like where I'm at, I stay. If I don't, I won't. And if I don't stay, then where I go will depend on the opportunities available, which will be different X years from now.

Some people definitely know they want to be in management or independent consulting within X years. I don't know that. What else is there to say?

Hg

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[tygerdawg]

"...in X years?"

Response = "In therapy so that I don't become a bitter, burned-out, cynical engineer on Eng-Tips Forums." B-)

But seriously, that question is only to serve two purposes. But most interviewers don't have a clue what they are:

(1) can you think on your feet, be creative, etc., and deliver an impromtu response? This kind of silliness was dreamed up by HR Weasels.

(2) to determine if you have any aspirations for moving up into management. Which, in this job climate, seems to be a moot question these days. Who the heck is actually moving up into management?

It's a boilerplate question, develop your own boilerplate answer and practice your delivery until it sounds spontaneous. My most successful response was something like:

"I'd like to continue developing my technical skills, with the hope of eventually moving into a team leadership or technical management role. But the way the working world is nowadays, I realize one has to be very nimble and flexible in their career goals."

That pretty much covers all the bases.



TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[KirbyWan]

In 5 years

Obeying our evil alien overlords

In 20 years

Working hand in hand with our former alien overlords while obeying our sentient robotic overlords.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[mauricestoker]

Working as a motivational speaker, living in a trailer by the river.

 

[MechEng2005]

tygerdawg:
I don't disagree with it all. I especially like the way you point out the way the question is completely soaked in irony...

Can you come up with an impromptu response? ... to a question that is so common it gets discussed on forums like eng-tips. If somebody actually walks into an interiew with no forethought of how to answer that exact question...

Designed to show YOUR creativity in response... So the HR department feels that creativity is important, and looks for it with the "standard checklist" of questions? Very creative indeed.

-- MechEng2005

 

[SomptingGuy]

When asked to a youngster (2-3 years in the job) it's a perfectly legitimate question in some environments. I was asked something similar, which translated to: Do you want to be a technical specialist or a department manger? Those two job roles had the same grade and the same-ish pay.

- Steve

 

[ornerynorsk]

Yup, pretty much a trick question to get you to divulge your real aspirations. As in "you guys are just my backup to pay the bills until I get the gig I really want".

 

[moltenmetal]

It's a legit question to ask, but you'd have to be naive to expect a straight, honest and uncalculated answer.

That's true of any question you might ask which is intended to reveal how long a candidate would be interested in staying in the position you're offering, rather than some imaginary future position the company may have to fill.

 

[Japher]

Where do I see myself in 5 years?

With company XYZ (which ever one you are interviewing for) as a respected and admired leader.

What do you see yourself doing?

Mentoring and inspiring those around me to do the best that they possibly can.


If they inquire more tell them that a leader can either be someone who manages individuals or someone who manages projects, either way their power base has to be drawn from somewhere. In your experience you have found that your basis of power is X and Y (relationships, technological know-how, experience, ability to learn, etc.) and that different people need different leaders in different roles. Your goal is to be looked on as a leader, and not necessarilly as a manager.

 

[graybeach]

I had to answer this question for real a few years ago. I was right in the middle of an intense design/build bridge construction project. Construction had started and there were lots of major field issues to deal with. As tough as it was, I was really enjoying it. Then my manager came to me and told me that I was to be taken off that project and named the project manager of another project. He considered it a big opportunity, but to me it looked like an administrative and bureaucratic nightmare. I realized that it was unlikely that I would ever want to cross over to project management. I wanted to stay technical and had to say so. In X years I see myself continuing on this way - as Japher noted - a technical leader but not a manager.

 

[TheTick]

Ahhh, the X years. I remember my X years fondly. Working with Dr. Xavier flying around in that cool jet, keeping the world safe for humans and mutants alike. Good times.

 

[MechEng2005]

"Where do you see yourself in X years?"

Celebrating the X anniversary of meeting you of course! Is there something on my nose?

 

[casseopeia]

If I were the one doing the interview and KENAT gave me his answer to this question, I'd hire him on the spot.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[MechEng2005]

Cass - KENAT's first response or second?

 

[KENAT]

Well I thought either were pretty awesome.;-)

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[plasgears]

When I was in GE, HR would circulate that kind of question. They probably studied the responses to separate the men from the boys. OR, if I said that I would be occupying my boss's position, and the powers that be did not see it that way, you were on your way out, sooner or later.

 

[stanweld]

At my age; semi-retired, retired, taking the long dirt nap.