Way to answer 'annoying' job interview question as most people get caught out

24 March 2024 , 17:00

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Some job interview questions can leave you feeling confused (Stock Image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Being sat in an interview and feeling stumped by a question is one of the worst feelings ever, as you just want the ground to swallow you whole.

Erin McGoff, who regularly posts career advice on her social media, has explained how to answer a question in an interview that would've previously made your heart sink - but there's no need to fear it when you know how to answer it.

So, what is the question many dread? Erin said it's: "Where do you see yourself in five years?", because how can anyone realistically answer that? If only you had a crystal ball, you might be able to give it a whirl. But Erin shared how to tackle it.

She said the way not to answer the question is: "Ha, good one. I don't even know what I'm having for lunch. Umm, probably working for a place like HBO [a different company] you know, being a producer there is my dream! 24...25...I mean, hopefully, I'll be married um, wife, kids, maybe a boat."

Erin reminded people that they're not "asking for your whole life story", instead, they just want to get a "sense of your future motivation, your goals" and to check that this role "fits into your life". Instead, the way she recommended to answer this question is as follows: "You know, it's hard to know what life is going to look like in five years [...] But while I like to maintain flexibility and an open mind, I do have specific goals and ambitions.

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"One thing that I know I'm really passionate about is production. I'm obsessed with taking projects from green light to distribution. Five years from now I would love to be leading a team, maybe even as an EP, and spend my days taking projects from ideation to smash it."

In the comments, many praised Erin for her dedication to telling people how to do well at interviews, with one writing: "I got a job using mainly your videos for the interview questions!" Someone else said: "My answer was to have more knowledge, to still be hands-on and to be really good at what I do. I was hired."

Danielle Kate Wroe