Ditch your long term goals
So… Where do you see yourself in five years?
That interview questions sucks. Here’s why:
You never know who you’ll meet - Have you ever met someone that has completely changed your life? A significant other? A mentor? These are the people who either A) change the priorities in our lives or B) open up doors that you could have never opened yourself. Who knows what meeting the right person can do for your career?
Technology changes everything - Facebook launched on February 4, 2004... Less than five years ago. Think of how that has changed the way we live.
Life is unpredictable – Last week a motorcycle slid into the back of my car. Shit happens that you’ll never be able to plan for.
Goals make you stretch – Before you set your long term goals, you’ve got to set your short term ones. The point of setting goals is to make you stretch. By stretching time and time again after you accomplish short term goals… You’re long term goal is going to become outdated. Why set it in the first place?
You limit yourself – even when you set the bar high. Randy Pausch said it best when he described a new Virtual Reality class he pioneered. After a two week assignment, his students came back with projects that we would have given A’s to for the entire semester. Here is what his mentor told him to do:
Andy thought for a moment and said, “You go back into class tomorrow. Look them in the eye and say, “Guys, that was pretty good. But I know you can do better.”
You obviously don’t know where the bar should be and you’re only going to do them a disservice by putting it anywhere.
Long term goals (5+ years) are overrated. Stick to a three year plan… if you accomplish that, you’re five year plan will work itself out.
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3 Responses
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My favorite answer to this question comes from the late, great Mitch Hedberg:
“Celebrating the five year anniversary of you asking me this question.”
But really I think it’s safe to say “I honestly don’t know.” Then maybe espouse on how you’d like to grow, develop your career, etc, etc.
Or just try Mitch’s answer
Indeed, Andy, this question is in the Vacuum Cleaner Hall of Fame for suckiness.
I recall my first major job interview at around the age of 23. The guy asked,”Where do you think you’ll be 5 years from now?”
I looked at him and said “Ya know, I’ve already been shot at, run over with a vehicle, and then triaged and somehow forgotten. Frankly, I’m pretty darned happy with the fact that I’m here today.”
Got the gig but never forgot the question. All I want to know when I interview someone about the future is how they are thinking about it and the
Indeed, Andy, this question is in the Vacuum Cleaner Hall of Fame for suckiness.
I recall my first major job interview at around the age of 23. The guy asked,”Where do you think you’ll be 5 years from now?”
I looked at him and said “Ya know, I’ve already been shot at, run over with a vehicle and then triaged and somehow forgotten in the process. Frankly, I’m pretty darned happy with the fact that I’m here today.”
Got the gig but never forgot the question. All I want to know when I interview someone about the future is that they are thinking about it in some meaningful way.
Good topic.