Where do you see yourself in five years with this department?
Interviewers are looking to see what motivates and inspires you to achieve professional goals. They want to know that you are career-oriented, ambitious, and committed to a future with their department. It costs fire departments a lot of money to interview, hire, and train their employees. They want to see that you are looking for a career with their department and that they are not a stepping stone for you.
Your goals might be to be a member of an elite team in the department, promote ranks, work in the training division, or become a Paramedic and work on an advanced life support unit. When you outline your goals, the interviewer gains insight into your personality and dedication to the department.
If you see yourself in five years as a Firefighter with their department, that is fine. Not everyone wants to promote to a higher rank and is happy retiring as a Firefighter. If that is you, describe how you see yourself in five years as a Firefighter with their department with five years of experience, learning all you can about the job. Describe any specialty certifications you would like to receive to make yourself the most knowledgeable Firefighter you can be.
Describe your five-year career goals, explaining why you have set those goals and how you will achieve them with their department.
"My goals with this department are first, to get hired. I want to work at a busy station to be exposed to a high volume of calls and gain experience. In three years, I would like to take the promotional test to become the apparatus operator of a truck company. I believe I will feel comfortable enough with my skills in five years and would like to apply to become a captain."
Avoid saying you do not believe in setting goals for yourself. When a person does not make short and long-term goals for themselves, it shows the interviewer that they lack motivation.
Even if you have not thought about where you see yourself in five years with the department, avoid saying you have not thought that far ahead. You want the interviewer to know that you are a motivated and driven employee. Instead, say that your five-year career goals with the department are first to get hired, gain experience, and learn about the different opportunities for advancement within the department.
You should also avoid a simple answer, such as 'In five years, I see myself as a Firefighter with your department.' Elaborate and show the interviewer that you set goals for yourself and have planned your career. When a person has goals and sets intentions, they generally will achieve what they put their mind to.
"In five years, I see myself as the EMS Coordinator for your department. I have worked as a Firefighter Paramedic for the past ten years and will bring my knowledge and experience to your department. I want to promote to EMS Coordinator because I love sharing my medical knowledge with others and enjoy teaching emergency medicine to new and current Firefighters."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
In five years, I would like to be on track to obtain my lieutenant's bars, as well as be part of the high angle rescue team, and part of the ice water rescue team as well.
Amanda's Feedback
Your answer demonstrates that you have a long-term goal and are committed to growing in expertise with the fire service. You can strengthen it further by showing the interviewer you have a plan for achieving those goals through additional training, skills testing, certifications, etc.
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