Where do you see yourself in five years?

An employer is more likely to invest their resources in employees interested in the long-term growth opportunities they have to offer. They're also more likely to pass on candidates they feel are on the hunt to land a job anywhere. They hope your answer will reveal your career goals and how well they align with the opportunities they present.

Everyone has goals or a direction they'd like to take in their career. Develop your professional mission statement values if you haven't already. Develop a five-year career plan before the interview so you can articulately answer this question. Identify how their values and yours are like-minded. Your answer aims to inform them of your ambition and where you want to take your career. Position yourself as a worthy investment.

Remember to practice and try to come across as natural. Pay attention to your facial expressions, eye movements, body movements, and posture. Record and play back your voice so you can note the nuances of your tone and how well you enunciate your words, as well as your choice of words, stutters, long pauses, and use of speech crutches.