Answering interview questions about your career aspirations
While interviewing for a new job, an employer may ask you about your career aspirations to see if your anticipated career path aligns with their company. With your answer, they can tell if you plan to stick around or simply see this job as another stepping stone in your career. That's why it's important to be mindful of the way you answer such questions. Here we further explain why employers ask 'What are your career aspirations?' and provide tips and samples for crafting the perfect response.Why employers ask about your career aspirations
Employers ask you to define your career aspirations to learn your intentions for applying to their company. They want to learn if your intended career path will work with what they can provide. Many employers are searching for a candidate who can grow with their company, making this interview question an excellent time to show your desire to do so.
This question also tells employers if you spent time learning about the company and the job you’re applying to. If your aspirations are way out of the left-field, this could be an indicator that you aren’t truly invested in this job opportunity. That’s why it’s important to learn what you want from this job and determine if it can help you reach your goals.
How to answer 'What are your career aspirations?'
Follow these steps when answering questions about your career aspirations:
1. Reflect on your long-term goals
Prior to creating your response, take a moment to think about your career goals. Determine where you want to be in the next few years and how your current situation can help you get there. Be honest with yourself when deciding what you want. Reflect on your values, interests, and passions and how they can translate into a job.
2. Explain how this role can get you there
Now that you have a good idea of what you want out of a career, think of ways this role you’re applying for can help. Since an employer wants to know if you’re worth investing time and resources in, you want to show them that you plan to stay with the company for a decent amount of time. Of course, keep in mind that most employers won’t expect you to stay with the company forever.
3. Avoid too many details
When discussing your career goals, focus on topics like your skill set and what you hope to learn. Avoid talking about non-job related details like where you hope to live or plans that you have for your family. While things like salary may be career-related, they aren’t appropriate for this conversation either. Instead, focus on how this job can help you grow professionally and open new opportunities.
Example answers to 'What are your career aspirations?'
Use these sample answers as inspiration when planning your response to ‘What are your career aspirations?’:
Example 1
I’m hoping to find a way to apply my graphic design skills in a fulfilling way. Throughout my career so far, I’ve been able to work with some awesome clients on interesting projects. Although these have been great experiences, I am ready to take my craft to the next level and work on larger clients. That’s why this role is so exciting to me. I noticed your company works with some pretty well-known brands. I think that through this role, I could make some meaningful client connections and move forward with your company’s initiatives.
Example 2
Helping others has always been a passion of mine, and I have always dreamed of translating this passion into a career. For the past five years, I have volunteered at my hometown’s local food bank. Throughout this experience, I learned there is much more to managing a food bank than one would realize. Now that I finally have this potential job opportunity, I am hoping to take this experience and apply it to this role. If I were to get this role as a food bank inventory specialist, my overarching goal would be to one day work my way up to food bank manager.
Example 3
During my undergrad, I spent a full semester studying abroad in France. Throughout this experience, I learned how much I enjoy immersing myself in new cultures and interacting with people from different backgrounds. When I saw that this position has an opportunity for travel, I applied right away. Being able to meet with other professionals from foreign markets would be quite fulfilling to me, and my experience abroad would help me acclimate better. I would even be open to your year-long abroad program for people who plan to be with the company for at least five years.
Example 4
Working as a biologist has always been a dream of mine, which is why I think this role is a great opportunity for me. Applying my aptitude for research along with my love for animals would be an ideal working situation for me. I also find that being able to collaborate with fellow scientists in a lab setting is my favorite work style, which is another bonus for this role. When talking about long-term aspirations, I want to work my way up to lead researcher and run my own lab.
Example 5
I’ve always enjoyed working with clients, which is why I took a sales position in the first place. Now that I have a few years of experience, my new goal is to find a sales leadership position. I think that by starting off as a sales associate with your company, I could quickly show that I am ready for such an opportunity. I would love to prove that with my people skills along with my persuasive personality, that I am the right fit for the role.