Just like any modern person, I’ve been through plenty of job interviews for all sorts of employment opportunities.  I’ve been overqualified and under qualified, and everywhere in between.  At the same time I’ve observed plenty of interviewing styles, and skills be them strong or weak.

One question seems to stand out.  I’ve gotten hit with it more often than not, and I find  its best to just be prepared for it.  It has been worded a thousand ways, and it’s the most important question, to ask or be asked, in any job interview:

Question: Where do you see yourself? What are your ultimate goals?  5 years? 10 years?

Like I said, it comes in many forms.   I’ve personally been asked this question 100 different ways.  If you want the job,  the answer is always the same:

Answer:  “Quite frankly, where you’re sitting.  Running a company”

The last thing an employer wants is an unmotivated employee.  No one stays with one company forever, so there is no need to pretend to be a sad-sack subservient.  No one wants a “yes man”,” they offer no hope for progress.

The smartest thing a smart company can do, is hire ambitious people.  Companies like Google have proven this theory by only hiring the best of the best and encouraging and in some cases paying employees to pursue side projects and ambitions.

The first step to negotiating a higher salary, is establishing yourself in the eyes of your employer as the go-getting, determined best man or woman for the job.  Don’t be afraid to show a little vigor.

The next time you’re asked in an interview “Where do you see yourself in 5 years.”

Look the interviewer right in the eye and say, “I’d like to be where you are, interviewing prospective employees and running the company.”

You’ll get the job.  Trust me.