The reality is that a huge portion of the jobs that will exist 5 years from now don’t exist today. So it’s a bit of a farce to say “in 5 years I want to be Director of this specific area” or “VP of that product”.
The best way to answer that question is to reply something like this:
“That’s a really valid question, and, I’m not sure I can answer you specifically. The pace of change in technology and globalization, along with the trend toward flatter organizations and virtual teams, really makes it hard to predict what the future holds.
So my goal is to continue to learn and grow. I’m open to lateral moves to increase the breadth of my experience, and vertical moves to increase the scope of my responsibilities. I expect that my titles and compensation will reflect my depth and breadth.”
You could also say “My goal in 5 years is at it’s core the same as today – to do interesting, fulfilling work, with people I like, trust and respect, in a company that aligns with my values and gives me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow.”
From there, add those things that are unique to you. Perhaps you want to gain management experience and lead a team. Perhaps you want direct P&L responsibility, international experience or a rotation through new product development.
It’s also important to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework on the organization. If there’s another area, function or location, express your interest in learning more about them and how your skills can be utilized in these other areas.
Hope that helps!
