Ask an Expert: How Do I Answer 'Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?'

A common question employers ask is, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Or in 10 years. However they ask the question, employers want to know what your career plans are, but job seekers don't know what answer will land them the job. Is there a right answer?

Job interviews, at their core, are supposed to be a meeting where two people decide if they should work together. The employer wants to know if you are qualified for the position and a better fit for the company than the other candidates. You want to know if the position aligns with your career goals, the company culture suits you, and the pay is right. But interviews ultimately end up feeling like a high-stakes espionage, where both parties assume the other is talking in code.