WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?

This is one of those questions that honestly makes me cringe a little — and it’s exactly why I never ask it when I’m interviewing candidates. “Where do you see yourself in five years?” just feels outdated. And truthfully, I don’t really see the value in it anymore.

I remember being asked that question a few years ago, and I genuinely said, “I’m not sure where I see myself five years from now — I can’t predict the future. What I do know is that this role aligns with where I’m at right now — and that matters to me.” I didn’t try to be perfect. I was just honest — and that felt really good.

Because here’s the thing: this question can feel super judgmental and kind of intrusive. Most people end up saying what they think the interviewer wants to hear — not what’s actually true. There’s pressure to make your goals perfectly align with the role or the company’s vision. And in doing that, the authenticity gets lost.

But the truth is, most of us are still figuring it out as we go. We’re constantly evolving, shifting, growing — and that’s okay. Where you are in your career will naturally shape your response. An entry-level candidate might have a different outlook than someone who’s mid-career. But wherever you are, your answer should reflect what’s real, not what sounds best on paper.

Let’s be real — these past few years have flown by, and none of us can truly predict what five years from now will look like. Life moves fast. Things change. We change. So instead of putting pressure on ourselves to map out a perfect plan, maybe it’s time to shift inward — to check in with where we are right now and take aligned action from that place.

Being authentic means being honest — with ourselves and others. It means creating our future through clarity and intention, not rehearsed answers or outdated timelines that no longer feel aligned.