Where Do You See Yourself In 10 Years? (Example Answers Included)

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where do you see yourself in 10 years

By Mike Simpson

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? It’s one of those interview questions that seems so simple on the surface but is actually incredibly hard to answer. After all, no one can predict the future 100 percent accurately, right? So, how are you supposed to come up with an awesome response?

Yes, getting the answer right can be a little tricky. However, by using the correct strategy, it gets much easier. If you want to have a stand-out answer for the interview classic, where do you see yourself in 10 years, here’s what you need to know.

The 10-Year Period vs. the 5-Year Period

Okay, before we dive into how to answer this question, let’s take a second and talk about the highly similar one – “ Where do you see yourself in five years? ” – and how the two compare.

While the two questions have a lot in common, how you answer them isn’t the same. Yes, you’re talking about the future in both cases. But the thing is, 10 years is a lot further away.

Think about it this way; ten years ago, the first Tesla Model S made it into a customer’s hands. The iPad was only two years old, and people were still wondering about the future of touch computing . Siri was also new, launching in late 2011.

Ultimately, a lot of change can happen in five years. But compare it to 10 years, and it seems like nothing.

Over 10 years, most professionals mature and grow a lot in their careers. You can go from entry-level to management in that time frame in many fields. That kind of development just isn’t common in half that time.

That’s part of why this question is such a doozy. You aren’t just thinking about the next step or two in your career; you have to consider the next half-dozen steps. That isn’t easy.

Couple that with the fact that predicting how your field will evolve in that time is hard, and it may seem like a perfect answer to “where do you see yourself in 10 years” doesn’t exist. However, that isn’t the case. By understanding what the hiring manager is trying to learn, it’s far easier to create an excellent response.

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask This Question?

Since the hiring manager knows that you can’t tell the future, why on earth would they ask you a question like this? Mainly, they want to see if your long-term vision for your career aligns with the company.

In the end, hiring managers usually focus on very specific things when making hiring decisions. While ensuring you have the right hard and soft skills is part of the equation, they also want to assess your potential for longevity. If your long-term career goals don’t mesh with the company, they’ll likely assume you won’t stick around for long. Since retention is critical in their eyes, that makes you a less desirable candidate.

However, if your vision for the future could easily play out while working for them, the opposite is true. They’ll view you as a stronger candidate because your goals align. Essentially, you’ll look like a better investment.

Another point the hiring manager is assessing with this question is your mindset. Often, you can tell a lot about a person’s personality based on how they answer this question. For example, you can determine if a candidate is methodical, reasonable, bold, or ambitious depending on how they respond. That’s a lot of potential information.

In the end, the hiring manager is typically focused on those two points when they ask this question. By focusing on those areas, you can increase your odds of standing out from the crowd.

Common Mistakes When Answering This Question

As with all parts of an interview, it’s possible to make mistakes when answering, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” One of the biggest is discussing a role or goal that has nothing to do with your current career path or what the company offers. In either case, it makes you seem like a poor match to the hiring manager, so it can easily cost you the job.

Similarly, being unrealistic doesn’t work in your favor. For example, if you’re interviewing for an entry-level role after just graduating from college, saying that you’ll be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company isn’t a wise move. Even if it’s technically possible, calling that goal lofty is an understatement, so it can make you seem naïve.

However, undershooting isn’t a wise move either. If your main goal is to move from an entry-level job to the next position up, that can work against you. The hiring manager may worry that you lack any ambition or wonder that you doubt your capabilities. In either case, it could be enough to give them pause.

Saying you want the hiring manager’s job specifically is seldom an intelligent move. By phrasing it that way, your answer comes off as threatening or aggressive. Again, that doesn’t make you seem like a solid choice, so it’s better to avoid that misstep entirely. 

Also remember, this is just one question the hiring manager could ask you in your interview! That’s why we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview.

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Tips for Answering This Question

While you can’t see the future, that doesn’t mean you can’t come up with a stellar response to “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” If you aren’t sure how to start, here are three helpful tips.

Learn About the Company

First and foremost, you want to find out a bit more about the company before you try to create an answer for this interview question. In the end, you need to discuss a goal that aligns with something the company brings to the table. That could include supporting their mission, advancing into roles they offer, or something similar.

In the end, you won’t know how to tie everything together if you don’t do some research. As a result, this is the best place to start.

Review Your Career Path

After learning a bit about the company, take a deep dive into your career path. Dig into the roles that logically come next and how long it typically takes to land them. That way, you can discuss various positions you’d like to hold during the 10-year period while ensuring your response is realistic.

Mention the Employer Specifically

If you can tie in a goal about supporting or advancing your employer’s position, market share, or anything in that vein, do it. Along with general goal alignment, part of your plan is to provide a company with exceptional value. You’re aiming to help your employer do more, which may be just the thing to set you apart from the crowd.

How to Answer the Interview Question “Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?”

Alright, now it’s time to dive into what you’re hoping to learn: how to answer the “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” interview question.

So, what does it take to nail this one? Well, it takes a reliable strategy. First, it’s time to get to know our friend, the Tailoring Method . With the Tailoring Method, you can craft answers that are as relevant to the role and hiring manager as possible. And, since creating alignment increases your odds of moving forward in the hiring process and securing a job offer, that’s vital.

Beyond that, you need to discuss a challenging but realistic objective you’d like to obtain, preferably while showcasing how you’ll provide an employer with value. By bringing that all together, you’ll have a far easier time impressing the hiring manager.

Are you ready to make sure that your answer is top-notch? Excellent! Here’s a step-by-step guide and some example answers to make that easier.

Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a great answer means touching on the right bases. By using a systematic approach, you can cover every critical point. Here’s how to tackle the “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” interview question.

1. Learn About the Role and Company

As mentioned above, you need to know quite a bit about the company and job to come up with a relevant answer. Review the job description to learn more about the duties, then compare it to the company’s mission and values. Find places where everything aligns, and use that as a starting point.

2. Outline Your Career Path

After your initial research, it’s time to determine what’s realistic based on your chosen career path. Do a bit of digging to see what positions people work their way toward in 10 years (based on where you’re starting from), giving you a reasonable baseline.

3. Determine How You Can Deliver Value Along the Way

Now that you know where you can get in the next 10 years and how to relate your goals to the company’s mission or values, it’s time to go further. Think about how you can move down that path while bringing an employer exceptional value. Reflect on this company’s (or hiring manager’s) unique needs. That way, you can make this part as relevant as possible.

4. Refine Your Answer to Keep It Concise

Since this question is traditional, you want to keep your response concise. You don’t need to touch on every step in your plan. Instead, aim for a quick overview only, limiting yourself to the equivalent of just a couple of paragraphs.

Example Answers

Alright, so you probably have a solid idea of how to approach answering “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” But sometimes, nothing brings it all together than a few examples. So, here are some sample answers to inspire you, each focusing on a different career level.

Entry-Level Recent Graduate

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

As a recent college graduate, my main goal for the next 10 years is to learn and grow with a company, allowing me to support critical processes as I hone my skills. Along the way, I’m planning to explore emerging technologies that are benefitting the industry. Since your company is planning new implementations, I believe this allows me to provide exceptional value as I gain experience in the field, hopefully putting me on a management track.

Mid-Career Individual Contributor

During my career, I’ve largely focused on honing my skills, ensuring I can provide exceptional value to my employer. However, recently, I’ve had the opportunity to step into a leadership role, spearheading a critical project and overseeing a team. Through that experience, I’ve developed a love for coaching others toward success. As a result, I’m looking to shift from individual contributor to management within the coming years, ensuring I can provide value to companies by supporting the success of not just myself but those around me.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing people throughout my career. It’s the people that led me onto a management track. Being able to support the growth and success of not just a company but every individual on my team is incredibly rewarding. Since your company also values its workforce and has a reputation for an exceptional culture, I believe that makes this position a clear fit. The role will help me move closer to my goal, allowing me to shift from overseeing a team to managing entire departments within the next 10 years.

Putting It All Together

At this point, you should have a solid idea of how to answer “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” Make sure to use all of the tips above to your advantage. That way, when you meet with a hiring manager next, you’ll be ready to impress.

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essay on where do i see myself in 10 years

Home — Essay Samples — Life — My Future — A Glimpse into the Future: Where I See Myself in 10 Years

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A Glimpse into The Future: Where I See Myself in 10 Years

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essay on where do i see myself in 10 years

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

"Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" Whether it's for a secondary prompt or on the interview trail, you’ll often be asked this question in some variation, and your response can help portray you as a focused, ambitious individual. There are many ways to go about tackling this question, but it is important to consider the following elements to help you frame your response:

  • Events or people who inspire you and pave the path for you
  • Tangible opportunities that you can utilize to achieve your aspirations
  • The steps that must be taken to make your dreams a reality

Let's use an example to help us out here: imagine your primary interest was in global health and outreach, inspired by Paul Farmer and his creation of Partners in Health. You can utilize the missions of his organization to consider how your aspirations in this field may be similar or different. Then, you can delve into what your own goals are, ranging from providing affordable healthcare screening to underserved communities to expanding medical access to rural neighborhoods. Through the example of Partners in Health, you are able to draw inspiration from existing initiatives, as well as showcase that you have done your research in what is already present in this area. From this stepping point, you can then discuss what you have already accomplished that is related to this topic, whether it is volunteering in your local community or running nonprofit organizations, or discuss how you hope to enhance these existing structures. After all, the focus of the essay needs to be about you, what you have done, and what you aspire to do. 

Next, you must consider how to make your goals tangible. Let’s see this in action with some more examples. Rather than stating that you want to work on healthcare policy for underserved communities, note specific roles that would help you fulfill your goals, such as becoming the Director of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Instead of stating that you want to do cancer research, draw on your prior experiences in the lab to note some other questions you have and how you might go about solving them. Being specific allows your application reviewers to concretely understand who you are and what you hope to achieve. In that vein, it is important to map out what steps you want to take to get you to your goals. For instance, are you planning on additional schooling?  Would another degree, such as a MBA, MPH, MPP, or PhD help you achieve your goals?  Discussing these pathways is appropriate during your essay, and if the program offers joint degrees, it is worth asking on interview day about these experiences.  

It is also worth thinking about what you plan to do in the years between your clinical training and your ultimate goals. If you are interested in research, would you continue your research at large tertiary institutions? If so, this kind of path may fit applying to certain medical schools better than others.  If you were interested in community medicine, which grants might you be interested in applying for and which organizations would you be interested in being involved in?  What is your experience in this realm?  These are just some of the many questions to consider and then delve into through writing. 

Lastly, no matter what your goals are, always take the time to focus on clinical medicine as well.  During several of my medical school interviews, interviewers also wanted to see that I was aware that medicine would be an engrossing, time-consuming endeavor for many years of training. This is a commitment you should vocalize.

When you answer where you see yourself in 10 years, you are giving insight into who you are as an applicant and who you might be as a future doctor. Consider your lived experiences, unique identity, and aspirations carefully, and you'll be well on your way to stand out as a well-prepared, focused applicant (both on paper and on interview day)!  

essay on where do i see myself in 10 years

Ellen is a MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, where she is Editor-In-Chief of the Harvard Medical Student Review and Executive Director of the student-run free clinic. She studied life sciences and creative writing at Harvard College. Currently, she serves as a Harvard non-resident tutor and Harvard Alumni interviewer.

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What Do You See Yourself Doing 10 Years From Now?

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  • M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
  • B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

Many college interviewers will ask applicants about their long-term goals. You don't need to know what you want to do with your life to answer this question, but be sure to be prepared to answer a question about life after college .

"What Do You See Yourself Doing 10 Years from Now?"

This common interview question can come in many flavors: What do you want to do with your life? What are your goals? What is your dream job? What do you want to do with your college degree? What are your future plans?

However your interviewer phrases the question, the goal is similar. The college admissions folks want to see if you have thought about your future. A lot of students don't succeed in college for the simple reason that they don't have a clear sense of why college is important to them and their goals. This interview question is subtly asking you to show how college fits into your long-term planning.

Realize that you definitely do not need to know what you want to be doing 10 years from now. College is a time of exploration and discovery. Many prospective college students have not yet been introduced to the fields that will define their future careers. The majority of students will change majors before they graduate. Many students will have careers that aren't directly connected to their undergraduate majors .

Weak Interview Question Responses

That said, you don't want to evade the question. Answers such as these may be accurate, but they won't impress anybody:

  • "I don't know." True enough, but keep on reading to see a better way to present your uncertainty.
  • "I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but I want to be making lots of money." This answer suggests that you have no academic interests, but you have strong materialistic desires. Such attitudes aren't very attractive to a college that is trying to enroll an interesting and engaged group of students.
  • "I want to be working for a big company." Try to focus more. What type of company? Why? A vague answer isn't going to create a strong impression.
  • "I hope I'll be married with kids." That's fine, but the interviewer isn't really asking about your personal life (in fact, it wouldn't be appropriate for an interviewer to ask about your future plans for family and marriage). Keep focused on career goals that are connected to your college education.

Strong Interview Question Answers

If asked about your future goals , be honest but also answer in a way that shows you have actually thought about the relationship between college and your future. Here are a couple ways to approach the question:

  • "I want to major in aeronautical engineering and work for NASA." If you know what you want to do, an interview question about your future is easy to answer. However, be sure to elaborate and explain why you want to pursue a certain career path. What got you interested in the field? What do you hope to accomplish in this career?
  • "I don't know what I will be doing, but I know I want to help people with their problems. In college, I'm interested in taking classes in sociology and psychology to learn what some of the options are." An answer such as this shows your uncertainty, but it shows that you know yourself, you've thought about the future, and you are eager to explore new fields of study.

Again, the interviewer is not expecting you to know what you will be doing in 10 years. If you can see yourself in five different careers, say so. You will have successfully answered this question if you do more than shrug your shoulders or evade the question. Show that you are excited about the future and that college plays a role in it.

A Final Word About College Interviews

To have confidence when you walk into your interview, be sure you prepare for the most common interview questions , and be careful to avoid common interview mistakes .

Keep in mind that college interviews are typically friendly events and that your interviewer wants to get to know you, not stump you or make you feel stupid. The interview is a two-way discussion, and you should use it to learn more about the college just as your interviewer is using it to learn more about you. Enter the interview room ready to have a friendly and thoughtful conversation. You'll be doing yourself a disservice if you view the interview as an adversarial encounter.

  • College Interview Questions
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  • What to Expect During a Grad School Interview
  • Tips for the College Interview Question "Who Has Most Influenced You?"

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Home » Job Tips » Interview Guide » The Perfect Answer to ‘Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?’

The Perfect Answer to ‘Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?’

How to Answer: Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?

Congratulations on getting the job interview!  You now have the chance to make a positive impression and win over the recruiters. But for that, you have to learn how to answer tricky questions. One possible question you might be asked is, “What do you think your future will look like in 10 years?”

This question is a way for the interviewer to understand your career goals and how they align with the company’s values. Your answer to this question could hold the secret to opening the door to your dream job. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll delve into the steps of answering this question. We’ll provide you with the insights, strategies, and tips you need to respond with confidence.

Table of Contents

Why Do Recruiters Ask This Question?

By asking this question, recruiters want to learn two things:

  • Do your long-term career objectives align with those of the company? Simply put, recruiters wish to know if you intend to remain and contribute to their team for a while.
  • Are you able to create goals that will advance your career? Recruiters prefer to hire people who set and achieve ambitious goals because such employees can positively impact the growth of the business.

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How to Answer this Question Correctly?

If you’re asked “Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?” here is a great way to answer: 

1. Conduct Thorough Research

To discover more about the company’s operations, customers, and projects, check out its website and social media pages. Additionally, carefully read the job description to make sure your skills and experience align with the company. Also, ensure that you align with the company’s mode of working, that is, if it’s an in-office role, you are ready to work from the office or if it’s a work from home job , you have the facilities to work from home.

2. Link Your Response to the Position

Make sure your response is specifically related to the position and the organization you are interviewing with in order to create a good impression on the interviewers. They would like to learn that you want to have a long-lasting career in their company. Express your desire to take on extra responsibilities and to grow in your job as you acquire experience. 

3. Showcase Your Ambition

Show the interviewers that you’re a goal-driven person who has a strong desire to develop in the role. It’s crucial to express ambition in your response while being logical and realistic. Candidates who demonstrate a true knowledge of the position are valued by interviewers. Expressing your desire to assume a leadership role inside the firm is more practical than making unrealistic statements like becoming a CEO in ten years.

4. Highlight Relevant Education and Experience

Explain how your education and work experience have helped you to achieve your long-term goals and how they have equipped you for the position. This shows how you could advance the growth of the business.

5. Use the STAR Interview Approach

To successfully respond to the questions, use the STAR interview approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result).  

  • Situation: To begin, simply describe your present professional situation, including your current job. 

“I am currently a front-end web developer.”

  • Task: Discuss your long-term professional objective for the next ten years. 

“I want to become a full-stack developer.”

  • Action: Outline achievable actions, including skill development and organizational contributions, that will help you achieve your goals. 

“I am currently pursuing a web development course to hone my skills further and understand the latest developments in my field. I wish to gain hands-on experience in the field by working in your company so that I am able to grow into my dream job role.”

  • Result: Share the result you anticipate in 10 years that is in line with your purpose and beneficial to both you and the business.

“My goals have and will continue to motivate me to become better at my job which aligns with the growth-oriented perspective of this company.”

This structure demands you to define the situation, specify the task at hand, provide specifics on your actions, and explain the anticipated results.

6. Project Confidence

Speak firmly and with a clear understanding of your objectives. However, maintain an appropriate amount of humility and openness to feedback. Your attraction as a candidate increases because confidence demonstrates your forward-thinking nature and commitment to professional development.

7. Conclude with a Question

If you’re not sure about the best response to the question, “Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years”, then throw a question back to them. Ask this question in a way that expresses your interest in the company, without making it look like you’re trying to get information from them. 

“I’m happy about working here because I believe I can grow with the company, assisting customers in understanding our product better. Does this relate to the mission of your organization?” 

You can also ask what their long-term expectations are from their employees.

Sample Answers to the Interview Question

Here are possible ways to answer the question, “Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?” These sample answers are based on your experience level:

1. Entry Level/Fresher

For a recent graduate starting at the entry-level, this example can be useful.

My main goal for the next 10 years as a recent college graduate is to learn new things and develop inside a firm while honing my talents. I want to learn about the latest innovations that are helping the sector along the way. I think this job presents a great chance for me to meaningfully contribute while gaining experience in the industry.

2. Mid Level Professional

If you’ve already been a professional with reasonable experience, here is a way to express your growth and show that you still intend to grow: 

Over the years, I’ve put a lot of effort into improving my skills and making a difference at work. I just got the opportunity to oversee a team and lead a significant project. I have learned to truly appreciate supporting others’ success because of this. So, in the next years, I’m considering transitioning from performing the work myself to managing others because the success of organizations and the individuals I deal with are very important to me.

3. Managerial Level

If you’ve already attained a management role, here is how you can answer the question, “Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?” 

I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible people throughout my career. They have motivated me to pursue a position as a manager. It has been greatly fulfilling to contribute to a company’s success and watch my teammates grow. 

In the next ten years, I want to go from managing teams to overseeing entire departments, and this position will help me do that. Your organization has an excellent work culture and it values its employees. 

Generic Sample Answers

Here are more generic answers that can help you answer the question, “Where do you see yourself 10 years from now”: 

1. Developing My Skills

I want a career where my views are valued and I can actually make a difference. I believe I can develop my abilities in this position and eventually assume greater responsibility. In the next 10 years, I see myself learning more, developing my skills, and gaining experience. I wish to advance with the company and support others in achieving their professional goals. I’d also love to know, in the long run, what do you anticipate from someone in this position.

2. Starting My Own Business

In the next 10 years, I aim to launch my own company using my expertise and enthusiasm in the industry. I enjoy coming up with creative ideas and see every problem as an opportunity to create something unique that addresses particular market issues. My main objective is to build a successful company, and I am certain that I can overcome difficulties and seize the chances presented by the constantly evolving business ecosystem.

3. Taking on More Responsibilities

I’m enthusiastic about this opportunity since your organization sounds like an excellent place to work. I would like to work for an organization that is ambitious and growth-oriented, and based on what I’ve studied, it appears that your business is headed in that direction. In 10 years, I hope to play increasingly significant roles and help your business realize its full potential.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering the Question

The following advice can help you avoid common mistakes while outlining your 10-year vision during a job interview:

  • Be specific: Avoid providing vague or general responses that don’t support your professional goals. 
  • Think Long Term: Describe your long-term professional goals as well as your short-term goals. Describe how you’ll grow after the first five years and increase your talents.
  • Plan to Grow Beyond One Position: While excitement for the position is good, emphasize wider career goals rather than just one particular position inside the firm.
  • Be Different: Avoid giving the same generic responses that you often hear in interviews. Instead, give a personalized response that highlights your talents and objectives.

Recruiters use the question, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” as a vital tool to assess a candidate’s alignment with the company’s goals and their capacity to define and meet professional ambitions. To reply well, do your homework on the business and tailor your response with regard to the position you are applying for. Keep in mind that being precise and avoiding generic responses can help you stand out.

Have you ever had to answer this question in an interview and what was your response? Share it with others in the comments. Also, learn how to answer the ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ Interview Question .

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essay on where do i see myself in 10 years

Shobha Saini, the Head of Human Resources at Internshala, has maintained a stellar track record in employee relations and talent acquisition. With eight exceptional years of experience, she specializes in strategic planning, policy-making, and performance management. A multi-talented individual, she has played a major role in strategizing HR practices in the organization.

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Watch CBS News

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? How to answer this question

By Amy Levin-Epstein

August 24, 2012 / 10:55 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

(MoneyWatch) This old-school job interview question still pops up from time to time, and can trip up even the most confident job interviewer. "I see it as a no-win situation because if you answer with some esoteric response, you could be construed as too strategic and not tactical enough. Likewise, if the answer is along the lines of 'I really haven't considered that far ahead in my career,' the take is probably the opposite -- too tactical and lacking in strategic thinking!" says Paul Falcone, author of 96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire . While this question is not on Falcone's list of worthwhile ones, there are some ways to answer it "correctly" if you encounter it.

First, acknowledge that 10 years is a long time but that you'll do your best to lay out a timeline, suggests Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions . Then, be specific and break your plan into chunks. Explain how many years you'd like to spending learning about the company, mastering X skills, gaining Y responsibilities and (hopefully) moving up to Z position within the organization. She suggests focusing on how you'll contribute, over time, to the company. For instance, "By year seven, I can see myself in a management role, bringing new ideas and initiatives into the organization, and really helping us grow our revenues and client base. Ten years from now I want to have made an impact on this organization in a significant and positive way."

6 great questions to ask on a job interview Second job interview: 5 ways to seal the deal 9 tips to prepare for your job interview

Clearly, you'd never share that you see yourself leaving in a year or two, using this job as a stepping stone to a better one. But if it seems insincere to say you would spend 10 years at an organization, be super specific regarding the first 5 years and broader when discussing the 5 after that. And never admit to not considering your future at all, even if you don't have a solid long-term plan. Ditto for saying, "I'd like your job" or "I want to be CEO of the company." This will make you come off as entitled and a poor team player. Remember: Your goal should be to show that you're not only ambitious, but also loyal.

How do you answer questions about your 10-year-plan?

Amy Levin-Epstein is a freelance writer who has been published in dozens of magazines (including Glamour, Self and Redbook), websites (including AOLHealth.com, Babble.com and Details.com) and newspapers (including The New York Post and the Boston Globe). To read more of her writing, visit AmyLevinEpstein.com .

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Obscureness of Where Do I See Myself in 10 Years

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