Predicting the future is a tricky task, especially in an interview round. So how do you answer common yet difficult interview questions like “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
Common HR interview questions like these require a lot of practice and preparation. So if you are getting ready for an upcoming interview, you have reached the right place!
In this blog, we will discuss how to answer “Where do you see yourself in 10 years” and take a look at some sample answers to get a better understanding. But first, let’s understand why employers ask these HR interview questions.
Let’s get started!
Why do recruiters ask, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
You may wonder why recruiters ask questions like “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” The answer is simple! With this question, recruiters try to gauge if you can plan your career growth with their company.
This question helps employers assess whether your long-term goals align with that of their company and if you could be an investment or whether your plans are short-term in nature.
So, while answering the question “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”, make sure you have practiced well in advance and know what to say during the interview. Here’s how you can do it!
How to answer “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
1. Research about the company
This is a piece of advice you must follow while answering all the HR Interview questions- Always research the company well in advance.
Follow their social media accounts, websites, and other available sources and gather all the information you can to get a better understanding of their policies and ideologies.
This will help you frame your answer better, and with all this information, you will be able to draft the perfect answer to this question.
2. Define your career trajectory
Answering interview questions requires a lot of homework on your part. Where do you see yourself in 10 years is a question that is not an exception to this.
To answer it well, chart out your potential career trajectory and figure out how the role in question will help you in the process.
This will give you some clarity and insight into where you might reach in 10 years and where you want to be.
3. Frame your answer using the STAR interview technique
STAR interview technique is the most useful one when it comes to answering HR interview questions. Short for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, the framework helps the jobseekers answer interview questions effectively and to the point.
The framework requires you to talk about the situation, address the task, define the action you deem necessary to deal with it, and discuss the result you expect out of the said action.
With the STAR interview technique, you can set the premise, establish your suitability for the job role concerning the job description and give clear and relevant answers to the recruiter.
4. Include the job in question in your answer
With questions like “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” recruiters gauge your plans and try to figure out how the job role fits with your plan.
All recruiters want to hear is that you plan on sticking around for long. So, structure your answer around the company and use the details from the job description to answer this commonly asked HR interview.
Sample answers to “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
Now that we have the answer to the why and how to answer “where do you see yourself in 10 years?” Here are some sample answers to help you prepare for your next big interview.
Sample answer 1 (for software engineers)
One of the reasons for applying to your company was the scope for potential growth. I have 5+ years of work experience as a software engineer with my previous company, and I don’t believe in switching jobs frequently.
So, in the next 10 years, I plan to emerge as a thought leader who has an in-depth understanding of industry trends and techniques.
In the next 10 years, I hope to have additional responsibilities and lead this company to its maximum potential by contributing to the best of my abilities.
Sample answer 2 (for product developers):
I have had my career trajectory mapped out ever since I started working as an intern with CDR infotech. I’m highly ambitious about product development, and I believe I have only scratched the surface so far.
In the next 10 years, I hope to take the product industry by storm and make relevant contributions to my career and the industry. I understand that my goals may sound too ambitious, but I feel I have the ability to become a Product head in the next 10 years.
Your organization hosts one of the finest product teams in the country, and hopefully, in the next 10 years, I’ll be able to lead the same.
Sample answer 3 (for content writers)
I believe upskilling is the only way to grow in any industry today. In the next 10 years, I hope to attain a clear understanding and knowledge of content.
I started as a content writer and hold 3+ years of experience in social media and blog content. In the next 10 years, I wish to have a better grasp of digital marketing techniques and want to pursue content marketing.
I learned that your organization offers on-the-job training programs to its employees looking for academic growth. With your support and my ambition, I believe there’s a lot of good I can do for my career and the company.
Conclusion
Nobody knows where they are going to be in the next 10 years. But interview questions like “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” demand you to brainstorm and figure where you want to be in 10 years.
As you prepare to ace your next interview, begin your preparation with these tips and tricks and sample answers.
All the best!
