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How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Goals for the Future
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The best way to respond to the interview question "What are your goals for the future?" or "Where do you see yourself in five years?" is to focus on the position and the company you are interviewing with.
While you don't want to lie during a job interview, it's best to stick to the parts of your vision that include the organization.
For example, if you're a newly minted registered nurse, and the hospital you're interviewing with doesn't have a lot of openings for nurse practitioners, now is not the time to mention that you're considering going back to school in a few years.
On the other hand, the hospital might clearly outline a career path for their registered nurses, in which they encourage them to go back to school while continuing to work part-time.
If you know this is the case, and you are interested in becoming a nurse practitioner, emphasize your interest in this path.
This is another reason why it's important to do your research before you arrive for the job interview. Knowing what the company wants will help you emphasize your ability to solve their problems.
Similarly, don't discuss your personal goals outside of work, such as having a family. This information is not relevant and could knock you out of contention for the job. Rather, you want to connect your answer to the job you are applying for.
Think of your goals and that of the company as a Venn diagram: you want to keep your conversation confined to that overlapping section.
How to Ask An Interviewer About Career Paths
When it comes time to ask the interviewer questions, you might use this opportunity to learn more about the typical career path for someone in this job. For example, you might ask, “In XYZ Corporation, what is a typical career path for someone with my skills and experiences?”
However, be careful not to seem too eager to move beyond the job you are applying for. Emphasize your strong interest in the job, but you can express a desire to expand your role in the future.
Examples of Best Answers
- My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much value as I can. I love that your company emphasizes professional development opportunities. I intend to take advantage of all of these.
- I see myself as a top-performing employee in a well-established organization, like this one. I plan on enhancing my skills and continuing my involvement in related professional associations.
- Once I gain additional experience, I would like to move on from a technical position to management. I know this is a common path for many people in this position. However, for now, I am excited about focusing on and applying my technical skills in this job.
26. What are your salary requirements?
What Are Salary Negotiations?
Salary negotiations involve discussing a job offer with a prospective employee to negotiate a salary and benefits package that meets your needs.
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Before you start salary negotiations it's important to know how much the job is worth, to try to determine how much flexibility there may be on the part of the employer, and how you can best negotiate a salary for the job you have been offered.
Salary Negotiation Tips
Once you know what you should be earning, how do you go about getting it? Start by being very patient. When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up compensation until the employer makes you an offer.
If you're asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you'd like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary. Here are tips for answering interview questions about your salary expectations.
Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you've done up front.
Once you've received the offer you don't need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple "I need to think it over" can get you an increase in the original offer.
And if you're ambivalent about the position a "no" can bring you a better offer too. I turned down a position I knew I didn't want, regardless of salary, and received three follow-up phone calls upping the compensation package.
Be careful though, if you do definitely need that new job there's a risk that the employer may accept your declining the position and move on to the next candidate.
Here's more information on how to evaluate a job offer.
Salary and Paycheck Calculators
When you're considering a job offer, it's important to know the bottom line - how much your net pay will be. You can use these free salary and paycheck calculatorsto estimate how much you'll bring home in your paycheck:
- Salary and Paycheck Calculators
Negotiating a Raise
If you are currently employed and want a raise, start by being prepared. Gather your salary survey information, recent performance appraisals that document the job you're doing, and any other relevant information. Be aware of company policy regarding compensation. Some employers are limited by budget constraints and can only give raises at certain times of the year, regardless of the circumstances.
Have a clear idea of what you want. Determine the salary range you're looking for and justification for the increase and have both ready to review with your supervisor. Be flexible. Would you consider an extra couple of weeks vacation instead of a raise?
I know someone who has regularly taken time-off instead of money and now has six vacation weeks a year...
Then, ask your supervisor for a meeting to discuss salary. Present your request, supported by documentation, calmly and rationally. Don't ask for an immediate answer. Your boss is mostly likely going to have to discuss it with Human Resources and/or other company managers.
Despite your best efforts, there may simply not be enough money in the budget to increase your salary or compensation package offer. The company may also not want to create inequities by paying one person more than others in a similar position.
In that case, you can at least know you tried. Plus, if this is a job you really think that you're going to love, consider whether the company culture, the benefits, and the job itself are worth it - regardless of the salary.
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27. What can you do for this company?
How to Prepare to Respond
The best way to answer questions about your contributions to the company is to give examples of what you have accomplished in the past, and to relate them to what you can achieve in the future.
First of all, be sure to have researched the company prior to the interview, so you are familiar with the company's mission. Respond by giving examples why your education, skills, accomplishments, and experience will make you an asset for the employer.
Take a few moments to compare your goals with objectives of the company and the position, as well as mentioning what you have accomplished in your other jobs. Be positive and reiterate your interest in the company, as well as the job.
Read below for tips on how to answer the question, as well as sample answers.
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