Do's and Don'ts: How to Answer What Are Your Career Goals

Fresher Jobs

23 February 2022

5 min read

• What are your short-term goals?
• What do you aim to achieve?
• Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 
• What about when you retire?

What happens if an interviewer asks you about your professional goals? And how do you respond to these questions? 

What's The Interviewer's True Motive

Interviewers want to discover whether you want to remain long-term or depart quickly. Interviewers often ask future-focused inquiries. This strategy reveals long-term ambitions and intentions to employers.

Hiring and training new employees are costly. Inquire about your long-term plans with the organization. The interviewer wants to see ambition and future ambitions.

How to Answer Career Goals Questions?

It's tough to think about the future during an interview, so prepare for such queries. Remember, there are several ways to answer it correctly. Answer this question considering the firm. If your personal aspirations do not align with the company's future vision, keep them to yourself.

Pro Tip: Prepare a response that focuses on your career aspirations about the organization.

Those objectives may be divided into short-term and long-term goals. Prepare to express some of your hopes and dreams with the interviewer.

1. Be company-relevant

Let's say one of your current goals is to complete an online course in google ads. A great objective; however, if you want to be a finance manager, this qualification will not assist you much in the interview.

So, your response to this interview question should be connected to the position/company you're looking for.

Correct Example

My goal is to get CFA Certifications. My objective is to work full-time in a financial advisory firm for the next several years, gaining the experience and necessary expertise in the financial analytics field.

False Example

As an amateur graphic designer, I want to design a website one day. When I'm not working, I try to spend as much time on it as possible to increase my portfolio. Isn't it nice for an accountant to dabble in something like designing?

2. Begin with short-term goals, then jump to long term goals

Short-term objectives frequently serve as stepping stones to longer-term ambitions. More explicit and clear. You may start with short-term objectives and work your way up to long-term ones. That way, you'll sound more rational and prepared.

Correct Example:

My immediate goal is to employ my marketing and communication skills in a similar role. But I want a position where I can employ these skills while managing a digital marketing team. I will prepare for this goal by leading team projects and attending leadership conferences like your organization hosts annually.

False Example: 

My ambition is to become a marketing manager. And boosts company sales and beg projects because of my communication and convening interpersonal skills. 

Sample for Student/Intern

So, I'm going to graduate this year and would want to start working in your digital marketing department right immediately. I wish to enhance my communication and public speaking abilities and my marketing knowledge and expertise. I want to be a proactive team member."

Short-term objective: After graduation, work in digital marketing.

Long-term objective: Be an active and proactive team member.

 Sample for Experienced Professional 

"I know that knowing R and Power BI is becoming more useful in data science, therefore I aim to earn certificates this year. It will help me to sharpen my analytical skills and help the company to grow more. In a Long-term, I want to work as a part-time virtual trainer in my field. I've liked giving training there. The flexible hours also enable me to retain another job."

Short-term goal: Learn R and Power BI to assist data scientist career.

Long-term goal:  Become a freelance technical coach.

Answering Tips

• Begin with short-term goals and move up: Finding a job at a firm like the one you're looking for is typically a short-term goal. Then move on to long-term initiatives.
• Your plans and actions: Goals alone are not a solid response. You should also briefly describe your plans to attain them. Describe the measures you have done or will take to become a manager.

For example

Defining your strategy shows that you consider your future and prospective progress inside the firm. For example, if you want to improve your education, explain why this would benefit the organization.

• Keep an employer-focused perspective: You are not ready to quit your work is a personal issue. Focus on how you will benefit the organization by attaining your own goals. Persuade the interviewer that working for this company would help you achieve your goals and theirs.

 What Not to say

• Discuss pay
• Money may be an incentive. It drives most individuals. You, we, and the interviewer all know this, but it's not what they want to hear or what you should say.

For example, suppose you work as a data analyst and wish to earn INR 60,000 a year. So, instead of stating, "My aim is to earn INR60,000 by 29," say, "My goal is to be a content data scientist by 32."

• Too much detail

For instance, if your ideal job is to be the head of marketing for your dream firm, don't say it.

This might indicate to the interviewer that you are just interested in the job for a short time. Instead, state that you want to head a marketing department. No more who, where, and what.

Key Takeaways

• Prepare your response and concentrate on your professional objectives concerning the firm you are being interviewed for.
• Relate both your short- and long-term professional aspirations.
• Contrary to popular belief, do not discuss compensation or perks.

Also Read: Top 5 Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview

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