Woka hates this question and is concerned that if the reply is not ambitious (eg management) he/she will be frowned upon. This can be tricky, but let's look at why interviewers ask this question. Interviewers like to think you have a career plan and that you have thought about what you want to do in the future. After all who wants to spend all of that time and money trying to find a good employee only for them to turn around a couple of months later and change their minds as they've decided to return to study/change careers etc.? At the same time most interviewers realise that whatever you say is not binding and what employer has ever turned around and said to you after you resigned that you told them at interview you wanted to stay with them for the next five years and rise to management?

Suggested response: You could try "in five years time I would like to see myself still working in this area (or here at this company) but hopefully with more responsibility". This is a non-threatening response that is suitable for those who don't have aspirations for management or are unsure of where or what they'll be doing in five years time. This response will be sufficient regardless of whether the timeframe is 2, 5 or 10 years.

If you are ambitious and want to progress to management avoid responding with "in your job", as this generally doesn't go down too well and comes across as arrogant. Simply say "in five years time I would like to see myself progress to a management role".

Remember: when you are asked at the end of the interview 'do you have any questions' it's good to ask "where does the organisation see itself in five years time?"!!!

What do you think? Blog us here with your suggestion for Woka