What are your career goals

I want to give you a quick and easy way to get started preparing for your job interview.

Wouldn't it be great if you knew exactly what a hiring manager would be asking you in your next interview?

If you’d prefer to get started with a free resource before paying for a coach or a program, this tutorial is designed to get you up and running with the basics for acing your next interview.

What are your career goals?

1. Answer structure

Levels of career goals:

•  You are not sure about your goals, then answer: I’m rather busy with my duties and goals of the Company; as a result, I haven’t focused much on my long-term personal goals.

•  You have goals not or very little relating to the current job: For example, you are applying for a sales manager, but your career goal is to become the head of marketing department in the next 5 years.

•  Current job oriented career goals: For example, you are working as a sales manager, you goal is to become the area sales manager in the next 2 years and in the next 5 years, you will be the regional sales manager.

2. Answer tips

• You can state some of your goals as following: Study for an MBA certificate or other degrees…Become specialist in the sector…Get to the title of XYZ something. Note that long-term goals must be set for the next 3-5 years.

• When you have identified your goals, you need to answer the following questions: Are those goals suitable to the job you are currently applying for? Are those goals helpful to your current job? Are those goals helpful to the development of your current job in the next 3-5 years?

• You should identify methods and plan to answer: How to achieve those goals?

• Your plans should include a position like the one you are applying for.

• Goals that are completely irrelevant to the company will only make the interviewer question your intentions.

3. Answer samples

Answer sample 1

My career goal is to take up new challenges each time to revive myself and add value to the company. I would achieve this with keen observation, practice, innovation and dedication. Thus, I can make my company rely on me in crucial circumstances and decision making.

Answer sample 2

I think it is very important to stay within a position for at least 3 years by educating yourself completely with the company and your job because your knowledge and know-how represents your company based on this. I would like to commit to this company long term by working from base level and if the opportunity presents itself in the future to excel in a different position, than I am highly motivated to try to advance myself within the company.
You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of seven questions, some which will give you more information about the job, and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.

Top 7 interview questions and answers.

Explain how you would be an asset to this organization

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

What is your greatest strength?

Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude

What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

What experience do you have in this field?

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

What kind of salary do you need?

A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

Describe a typical work week for you.

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position you are applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will be at answering the questions.

It should be obvious that it’s not a good idea talk about non-work related activities that you do on company time, but, I’ve had applicants tell me how they are often late because they have to drive a child to school or like to take a long lunch break to work at the gym.

Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that you’re organized (“The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.”) and efficient.

Do you have any questions for me?

Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? Are examples.

In reviewing these responses, please remember that they are only examples. Please do not rehearse them verbatim or adopt them as your own. They are meant to stir your creative juices and get you thinking about how to properly answer the broader range of questions that you will face.