Dear Diane,
I’m preparing for an important job interview in the technology arena and am unsure of how to answer a question they will likely ask: “What are your five and 10-year goals?” Since things are always changing in my field, it’s often difficult to predict the next wave of trends. If you had told me I would be building apps 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have had a clear idea of what that would entail. How can I go about setting (and sharing) career goals when I’m not always sure of the direction the industry is headed? Thanks in advance for your interview tips!
Rachel S.
Dear Rachel,
Although you may not be able to predict the next big tech trend, consider looking at this question from a different lens. Can you instead imagine the type of company environment you would want to be a part of in the future? What would the corporate culture look like? How would you feel contributing to the group?
For example, you may respond with something along the lines of: “In five years, I see myself thriving in the tech industry, serving in a managerial role with a team I am proud to support.” Or, if management is not your goal, perhaps you can elaborate on the user experience you hope to help create: “I am most passionate about building solutions that deliver an effortless, exciting experience for the customer. I plan to be initiating collaboration among my teammates as we continue to raise the bar.”
Best of luck,
Diane