What are your five-year professional goals?
The interviewer wants to see if your five-year professional goals involve working for their company and if you have set goals for yourself to grow professionally. Companies spend a lot of time and money hiring and training new employees, and they like to see candidates who will be long-term employees. When you set professional goals for yourself, it shows the interviewer that you are motivated and driven to succeed.
Focus on assuring the interviewer that your five-year goals involve working for their company. Describe your goals, why you have chosen these goals, and how you will achieve them in the next five years.
If you want to be considered for the position, avoid saying your five-year goals include working for another company or branching out on your own. If the interviewer feels this job would be a stepping stone to greater things, they will not want to invest the time or money into your success.
"My five-year professional goals are to complete my Master's Degree in Civil Engineering and advance to the Senior Construction Superintendent position within your company. One of the aspects of your job description that excited me is that you offer and encourage professional growth within your organization."
