Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

"Overall, I am satisfied with my career progression. Everyone, including me, hits roadblocks or setbacks, but I have been able to push through them and stay on track. I am a skilled manager and problem solver."

"I was recently passed up for a promotion into management. The reason being was that another candidate had more tenure with the company. Aside from that hiccup, I feel that my career in retail has unfolded exactly how I wanted."

"I have progressed even faster than I originally planned, which is great! In my current sales position, we have a great deal of employee turnover because the role pays 100% commission. By sticking it out, through the tougher times, I have been able to enjoy multiple promotions."

"I am proud of my accomplishments as an educator, and the path my career has taken so far. After graduating, I spent very little time as a substitute teacher before landing my first full time, permanent teaching position."

"I have worked for a smaller agency for the past five years so I would say that my career has not been as fast-moving as it may have had I worked for a larger organization. With that said, the smaller environment offered me more opportunity to take the reigns on projects and gave me further face to face exposure to the agency's clientele."

Career progression can be a touchy subject, especially if you feel that your career hasn't progressed as well as you would have liked. Avoid any sob stories with the interviewer. If it shows in your resume, one or two odd career decisions you have made, admit to those mistakes and describe how you have learned from those decisions.

"Overall, my career has progressed a touch slower than I would have liked. I have held a couple of positions that didn't offer the growth and learning that I was expecting; however, I have bounced back nicely. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where it should be."