The Challenge

The questions “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” is a relic of a bygone era where jobs were seen as lifetime commitments. Although higher employee turnover is seen as a challenge for businesses, simply asking Sales & Marketing candidates directly about their future intentions is not always a good indicator of what will happen.

In today’s dynamic job market, asking the question about where commercial candidates see themselves in 5-years’ time is not only outdated but also unproductive. With the average job tenure for millennials under 3 years and Gen Z even shorter, asking this question may yield a response that you possibly don’t want to hear.

This question also encourages fabrication. Candidates might feel pressured to tailor their response to what they perceive the interviewer wants to hear, rather than sharing their genuine career aspirations.

The Alternative

A better approach is to discuss career goals and development in a more open-ended way. Ask questions like: “What are your long-term career aspirations?” or “How can our company support your professional growth?” These questions reveal the candidate’s ambitions and their desire to learn and develop within your organisation.

Without directly asking if a candidate sees their long-term future with you (before they’ve even passed the interview stage!), it’s easier to tap into their aspirations to see how they align with your plans.

Shift the focus to career development, explore the candidate’s long-term goals and how your company can support their professional growth, and this will provide far more insight into the future direction the candidate is looking to take.

If you would like more support in the search & selection of top FMCG commercial talent, please get in touch with our team:

Manchester — 0161 274 9184

London — 0203 196 0896

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