The interviewer will want to learn about your goals and plans for the future to determine how they fit with the job for which you’re applying. The most common phrasing of this question is, “How do you plan to achieve your career goals?” Here’s information on what the interviewer wants to know, examples of the best answers, tips for giving the best response, and what not to say when you’re asked about your goals for the future.
What the Interviewer Really Wants To Know
The interviewer may also want to know how your goals relate to working at the company if you were to be hired. Do your goals mesh with a career path at the company, or will they take you to a different occupation or industry? This question also reveals your long-term thinking and planning skills.
How To Answer, “How Do You Plan To Achieve Your Career Goals?”
First, make sure you can name career goals beyond “getting hired.” You want to show that you are a long-term thinker, with ambition for your future. Be sure that your goals jive with what you have learned about the role and the company. It’s important to show the interviewer that there’s a match between what you’re looking for and what the employer is seeking in an ideal candidate. A handy approach to answering this question is to use the STAR approach. With this technique, you’ll talk about a Situation (S) or Task (T), the Action you took (A), and the Results achieved (R). This will help shape your answer while composing one that’s uniquely yours. The technique also helps to keep your answer focused, so you don’t stray off-topic or speak for too long.
Examples of the Best Answers
Review these sample responses, but be sure to tailor your response to your unique professional background, accomplishments, and career plans. Why It Works: This answer provides a list of the steps the candidate will take to achieve his or her goal. Plus, the candidate made a connection to a perk offered by the hiring company. Why It Works: This response shows that the candidate is eager to continue learning and growing, even after landing the job. Why It Works: This candidate has big goals that will eventually take them to a new job. While displaying ambition, this candidate makes it clear that they want to stay at one company for an extended period of time. Why It Works: Here, the candidate is able to show the steps already taken toward the goal. Why It Works: Showing off an in-progress plan is always beneficial. Mentioning a desire to “advance internally” makes it clear that the candidate is not looking to hop from job to job.
Tips for Giving the Best Response
Clearly communicate your path. Detail accomplishments to date, as well as mention steps you plan to take in the future. If there are tangible achievements or goals on the horizon (e.g., earning a certification), be sure to mention them. Show how the goal aligns with the job at hand. Explaining how your goals mesh with those of the company, will help show the interviewer that this position is key to your plan for success. Explain how your career path and your goals for the future are a fit for the role. Mention personal qualities and skills. Describe your personal qualities that will enable you to achieve your goals. This is a perfect opportunity to share information on how you’re qualified for the job.
What Not To Say
Don’t focus on finances. Your response should not be centered on your salary (or raises, bonuses, and commissions). Don’t make this a discussion about money. Instead, focus on your professional goals. Don’t focus on job titles: Avoid framing your response around job titles and promotions. These are not things to discuss before you have even been offered a job. Avoid vagueness. Name specific goals and share your plan for achieving them. That’s the kind of long-term thinking that interviews want to hear. Vague answers may make it seem like you do not have long-term ambitions. Don’t discuss goals that can’t be achieved at the company. Yes, you want to be specific and avoid vague responses, but stay away from goals that may not be achievable at the company. You wouldn’t, for instance, want to lay out your strategy for being promoted to a management-level position while interviewing at a company that doesn’t have that role available.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
You may hear other general questions about your career goals either before or after this question, such as:
What are your career goals? - Best Answers Where do you see yourself in five years? - Best Answers What are you looking for in your next job? - Best Answers
