5 Years

Hey friends!

Since I’m in the process of finding a new job (still) I have had the pleasure of going on many interviews. Well, I say many but I think I’ve only had about four in person interviews and a few phone interviews. I should have a job by now but that’s a whole different story.

I hate interviews so much even when I am the one conducting it. I’m sure it has a lot to do with my social anxiety, but I hate all the questions. I know, interviews are like all questions all the time so I should be used to it by now. NOPE.

Regardless of how prepared I am I always get nervous. My palms get sweaty and my heart rate increases. I start thinking of all the questions they might ask me and how I am doomed to mess it up somehow. Actually just writing this is making me anxious and I’m not loving that feeling. Come on body, chill the heck out!

So, yeah. Interviews are terrible and I’m terrible at them. I seriously can’t make it through one without saying something stupid. I try to be funny to help me calm down but it always is dumb. No one wants to hire someone who can’t even tell a good joke. I’m so lame.

My absolute least favorite question that every employer asks is “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Listen, if I knew the answer to that do you think I would be applying to any and every job I see? No. I would probably still be in school or actively working towards that field. And another thing, why should I have to know that? Why can’t I just be content going with the flow of things? I understand they want longevity and like loyalty or whatever but I think it’s dumb. Nine times out of ten the answer someone gives will be what they think the employer wants to hear. It’s never honest.

That’s where I have the biggest issue. I don’t want to give these people cookie cutter answers that tell them nothing about me. I don’t want to be hired for who I’m perceived to be, but for who I really am.

In five years, I want to be financially secure and have a work life balance that actually is balanced. I want to be able to leave my work place and not have to worry about the job the second I get home. I want to have my time off valued and not be expected to be on call at all times. I want to be in a place where my employers support me as much as I support them. I want to be able to spend my free time with the people I love. I want to pursue everything I’ve ever wanted to do.

When I’m asked what I want to do in five years I can’t just sum it up in a few words that are carefully strung together to appeal to potential employers. At the same time, I can’t tell them I have no five year plan. It’s a complicated thing. I don’t even think most people consider this. Maybe I’m just too stuck in my head? I don’t know.

Let me know your most/least favorite interview questions in the comments below. Let me know why also!

Anyway. That’s all I wanted to talk about today. Thanks for sticking around. If you’re looking/interviewing for jobs I wish you the best of luck!

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Interested in hearing more about my five year thoughts? I wrote a follow up post called ‘5 Years: A Look Back‘ about where I was five years ago and how it relates to this specific interview question. Enjoy!