Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years? IB Interview Question (2024)

FAQs

Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years? IB Interview Question? ›

Say that you could be wrong, but based on your current interest for the Investment Banking industry and the fact that you like to commit strongly whenever you start something, it's fair to assume that you will want to work on M&A deals over the next 5-10 years (or whatever field of interest you have, could be ECM, ...

Say that you could be wrong, but based on your current interest for the Investment Banking industry and the fact that you like to commit strongly whenever you start something, it's fair to assume that you will want to work on M&A deals over the next 5-10 years (or whatever field of interest you have, could be ECM, ...

How to answer, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Discuss how you want to learn new skills and grow professionally, especially in ways that align with the job description and the company's goals. Don't mention specific job titles you want or timelines for promotions.

Example 1: Bank teller

In the short-term, I want to become an excellent teller and then possibly move into a position with more responsibility. Within five years, my goal is to become a supervisor, preferably in loan processing or some other area of financial services.

If you're applying for a job as a banking associate, you can also say that five years hence you see yourself as a junior or mid-level vice president at the firm, adding that you look forward to moving up the ladder of the organization because of your contributions each step of the way, advises veteran recruiter Richard ...

The best way to handle this question is to think about what your current career trajectory is and how this role in this company fits in to help you achieve your ultimate goals. To enhance your answer, provide general ideas about the skills you want to develop and things you want to accomplish.

Sample Answer for Students 1:

“In 5 years, I see myself as a graduate who has gained valuable experience and knowledge through internships and other opportunities. I hope to have found a fulfilling job in my field and to have continued learning and growth opportunities.

Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.

Example Answer:

While I may not have a specific long-term career goal yet, I am open to exploring different opportunities and discovering where my strengths and passions align. I am motivated to work in a supportive and inclusive environment that values continuous learning and growth.

How to answer where do you see yourself in 5 years as an intern? ›

If you're applying to a company that provides plenty of opportunities to its interns and early career hires, you can also mention this in your five year plan. In five years, I really see myself making the most of what this company offers. The global opportunities here are a big draw for me.

In five years, I aspire to take on a leadership role beyond the classroom, such as becoming a curriculum coordinator or instructional coach. In this capacity, I will mentor and support fellow teachers, providing guidance on curriculum development, instructional strategies, and assessment practices.

Sample Answer: I would like to be a CPA and would like to work my way up to a controller position within the next 5 years. I plan to take the CPA exam in the next year and will continue to learn accounting software and business processes so I can be an asset to any company I work for.

“In five years, I see myself continuing to grow in my career and taking on more responsibility within the company by leveraging the expertise I've gained working in this industry for the past 5 years. I'm also looking to start a family in the next few years, so I'll be balancing work and home life.

#1 Sample answer for a mid-level candidate

“I'm someone who loves solving problems, so in five years, I'd love to be seen as the go-to financial analyst when departments or projects need to save money and achieve their business goals.

Provide a Brief Highlight-Summary of Your Experience

The best way to answer "Tell me about yourself" is with a brief highlight-summary of your experience, your education, the value you bring to an employer, and the reason you're looking forward to learning more about this next job and the opportunity to work with them.

Effectively answering “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” requires you to understand and articulate your career goals and guiding values in the context of the position for which you are interviewing. Your response should note where you are going and explain it through the skills and values that direct your work.

In five years, I aspire to take on a leadership role beyond the classroom, such as becoming a curriculum coordinator or instructional coach. In this capacity, I will mentor and support fellow teachers, providing guidance on curriculum development, instructional strategies, and assessment practices.

Sample Answer: I would like to be a CPA and would like to work my way up to a controller position within the next 5 years. I plan to take the CPA exam in the next year and will continue to learn accounting software and business processes so I can be an asset to any company I work for.

Some examples of common weaknesses in investment banking include public speaking, networking, and delegating tasks. Explain how you are working to improve your weaknesses. For example, you could talk about how you are taking a public speaking class or how you are practicing delegating tasks to your team members.