"Where do you see yourself in five years?"
For this type of interview question is: "I see my self possessing as CFA® ," a good answer?
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No.
No. The only acceptable answers are:
CFA is definitely not the right answer, you can do that at any time and any place so it's not really relevant to most interviews.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/HJlbAUYE-ls
Furthermore, it's against CFA ethics to imply that you do or will have the certification prior to you having fulfilled all the requirements to do so, at which point you're allowed to say you've earned the charter anyway.
This WAS a question on the test, in case you're wondering. It's also against ethics to divulge what's on the test though, so don't do that. I'm just not a candidate anymore so I willingly choose to be a rat bastard that way.
As for the question: what are your actual plans for 5 years from now? One would think you've thought that far ahead if you're looking for a job. "I'd like to be an equities analyst in X sector, covering companies similar to Y and Z, since I do like that industry and my background has prepared me to understand what key growth drivers are, yada yada." Ideally, the job you're interviewing for leads into what you're talking about doing in 5 years.
Hope all works out.
What does your boss' boss do? I'd like to be that guy's boss in 5 years.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WfYyBp4Ln2s
acceptable answer for "where do you see yourself in x years" (Originally Posted: 11/27/2011)
I was wondering what an "acceptable" answer for "where do you see yourself in x years" for an operations/support role in AM?
obivously...everyone in MO/BO wants to make the transition into FO...but my guess is that employers don't really appreciate that type of answer...
I don't want to say "i want to stay in ops forever" b/c they would probably smell my bs a mile away...
any insight/advice would be appreciated thanks
Not "everyone" wants to make the transition. Some people are perfectly happy being there, some are completely unaware that better things even exist, and others are just plain unmotivated and stupid.
I really don't think they will catch on to a bs answer. Make some shit up about seeing yourself in a management role or something where you have greater responsibility/accountability, I don't really know how to answer that shit to be honest...Definitely don't bring up anything about a transition, that kind of a reality check might scare them away.
I had the same questions once. Where do you see yourself in 2 years?
I said "I see myself in your chair, interviewing college kids who have no idea what they're into."
Predictably, I landed the job.
Believe me, this is a great answer, and the interviewer can't ask you any further questions. Don't sound too cocky but its a fair enough answer. You could even answer by first asking rhetorically: "Would I be right in thinking you do so and so? If this is the case, I'd like to be where you are"
etc.
@president: lol...probably wouldn't have the balls to chance a joke that could go either way depending on the interviewers sense of humor...don't know if your serious but if you pulled it off, glad it worked out for you....
You might want to consider who is interviewing you… Considering they are most likely from the operations/support side (the job you are trying to get), you might not want to make it clear that you are using the position as a vehicle to get to the front office..
It helps to get a good read on the interviewer. It becomes pretty obvious half way into the interview (usually when the question presents itself) if the person interviewing you is aspiring to move out of the MO/BO. If the person seems like they are REALLY into their job, I would shy away from telling them that you want to work in the FO.
However a lot of the time I've had younger people interview me that made it obvious that they want to 'move out' of the MO/BO. With these individuals I find it ok to let them know that while you're dedicated to the position you are interviewing for, you would not rule out aspiring to move to the FO later in your career. Typically these type of people look for people with aspirations, so I like showing them that I acutally have some.
"Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years" questions when interviewing for MO role? (Originally Posted: 11/05/2012)
If you are interviewing for a FT middle office support function lateraling from another industry but want to eventually move into a research role, do you say that or say that you want to stay in the MO role? I want to be honest in my career path but don't want to jeopardize my chances to getting this position. I really do want to be in this role for at least 3 years before I consider looking elsewhere because I think I can learn a lot.
Any good answers to this question that allowed you to move forward in the interview process?
When interviewing for BO/MO roles don't say you want to move to the FO office. Pretty much an auto-ding right there. Tell them you enjoy the work the MO has to offer, you hope to excel in your position and have the oppotunity to advance, gain more responsibilities etc
tell that you do not see yourself in a certain position, rather that you think that you are on the best possible path and are very satisfied at the moment; add how great MO role is and how much you can learn in (short) time, and also build very broad skillset and understanding of the industry
Both good advice. I def agree with not mentioning FO aspriations. I practically had an offer sewn up with a BB bank for BO but was better than nothing and I'm pretty sure it never panned out due to my CFA exam and talk of wanting to do research and analysis of companies someday.
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years" (Originally Posted: 12/20/2013)
For a BO job, should I say that I see myself working as an associate at a BB?
"I'm not sure where I'll be, but hopefully by then I will have learned to use the search function when I am new to online communities that have over 200,000 members; as my generic inquiries about common interview questions and the mystery of whether or not to have a LinkedIn profile have likely been address several times before."
Self-righteous remarks aside, welcome to WSO. You'll learn a lot here.
I know that. I did not see anyone who chose my answer.
where do you see yourself in five years? what is your dream job? (Originally Posted: 07/17/2015)
So I had an interview yesterday for a Sales and Trading COO and the interviewer asked me where I saw myself in 5 yrs? I told her that I try to to carve my career path in stone but tried to be prepared to maximize on opportunities that come my way. Normally, this works but this particular woman didn't buy it and mentioned that I had supported trading desk for years, even was a trader briefly, with heavy product knowledge. So she rephrased what's you're dream job? I didn't lie I said my dream job was to trade (really hate having an honest personality). She said she understood as it she was able to deal with the day-to-day pressure so it wasn't her career path. I feel that even though she knew what I was going to say and my resume echoed it, I still could not actually say I wanted to be a trader even though the fact stated otherwise. Was there a better way to answer the dream job question when your interviewer seems to pressing for an actual answer?
Older, probably about 5 years older
Bb's are more rigid with this type of question - they want you to show you're interested in the job you're going for and not just using it as a springboard. If it was a smaller firm I'd say an honest answer would be fine.
I understand they don't want someone that will jump very quickly but I feel that at larger firms nobody expects you to stay in the same position for years on end either. What would you say instead?
Where do you see yourself in x years interview question? (Originally Posted: 04/28/2015)
Hi, I'm a junior pursuing a degree in Math/Econ, I transferred to a target. Because I transferred and was really sick for a semester, I'm graduating a semester to a year late. This is a good thing because I didn't get an internship for a hedge fund like I wanted, although I did find work in consulting.
When I was going through recruitment I had a few interviews. Every single hedge fund asked me this question for internship positions. I just applied for one a few weeks ago that said in the description something like "many of of our interns go on to work for Goldman Sachs JP Morgan etc."
That's really strange to me. Are they not looking for long-term employees? When I was asked this question by interviewers they seemed weirded out at my answer which was something that implied " I see myself in x years working as a trader for your firm".
How should I answer this question? More specifically, let's say that the x is 5 years. Where do hedge funds in general want their interns to hope to be in five years?
Your boss' boss is the best answer, in my opinion. It shows ambition.
I typically answer with something similar to what you said, or if its a role that is intended for you to do for a few years before moving to bschool, etc. you can say that.
The reason that a lot of the postings mentioned where interns have gone to work FT is because a lot of HFs will hire interns, but won't hire FT analysts out of undergrad. This is something you want to check because if you say "working at your firm" but they only recruit through certain channels you'll look like you haven't done your research.
Where do you see yourself in six years? (Originally Posted: 03/02/2009)
Alright Wall Streeters, tackle this: "where do you see yourself in SIX years? The bankers' version."
unemployed, banking is a cyclical industry.
The world has changed. And we must change with it.
we will all be government employees. USA changes its name to USSA.
under the communist regime
There world's ending in four years, so why think about where you'll be in six?
wife #2.
^^haha like that answer
Law School. Articling at a Bay Street law firm in Toronto. My extreme risk-aversion doesn't allow me to go anywhere near finance or consulting.
"We are lawyers! We sue people! Occasionally, we get aggressive and garnish wages, but WE DO NOT ABDUCT!" -Boston Legal-
Graduating from b school
Switzerland like all the oil companies
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUSL312427120090312?feed…
Joking
So what do you do? -I work for an investment banking firm. Oh okay; you are like my brother, he works for Edward Jones. -No, a college degree is required in my profession
bumping this for the hell of it..
own my own record label, fly around the world, run up 5 thowsand dolla bar tabs, beech partys in Spane
oh, wait. my bad. thought u said 6 hours.
in 6 years? imma be the first swag president by then.
30 years old, having an existential panic attack.
somewhat this but older
Either finishing up business school or a year out of business school in a F500 corp dev/corp fin role.
Graduating from bschool, hopefully with a job at a large VC (Sequoia type)
dead
(Don't say doing your wife. Don't say doing your wife)
Doing your...son?
Beating this guy ^^ for raping my son.
/\ with what? A strap on?
IDKKKK
In the end stages of producing my own fashion line.
~wavy
Will reach the Human status on wso.
Where do you see yourself... (Originally Posted: 11/28/2006)
Is everyone on this site planning on finishing their careers in the investment banking field? Anyone plan on making a move outside of Investment Banking or Private Equity? Where do you see yourself in the future? And please don
I'm in the same position as you, starting I-Banking next year and I'm hoping to get out of it ASAP. I did an internship over the summer and absolutely hated it. I'm hoping to switch over after one year even if it means breaking my contract.
With this in mind, I'm hoping to be placed in one of these 4 groups: 1) Private Equity 2) Leveraged Finance 3) Financial Sponsors 4) M&A
After a year, hopefully I'll switch over to a P.E. shop or maybe a REIT. I know it's hard to make such a move but hopefully my contacts will prove to be useful because I don't think I can survive I-Banking for 2 excruciating years.
Investment Management. IB is for suckers.
How many 60 year old IBers do you know?
That's what I thought...
Not defending being a lifer in IB, but bankers can retire well before they're 60.
Lol, I think Investment Management people could comfortably retire just as early. The difference is they don't, because the lifestyle is good, the work is fun. People tend to stay in jobs they enjoy.
Seriously, even if you can retire at 35-40, what are you going to do with your life?
Definitely. You can retire mid-40s after a stint as an MD.
What's the difference between investment banking and investment management? Can a college graduate go into investment banking? Or do u have to go into IB first?
Look into going into a group/focus that you may want to spin off into after your IB career (however long it may be). Im headed into a real estate IB group and it works out because I've long been interested in getting involved in Real Estate later in my life, maybe at a REIT. It could be a good bridge from one industry to another.
I will retire in 10 years. You will find me on the Amalfi Coast with Paolo. No forwarding address. See ya, buh bye.
I believe there was a thread not long ago that addressed essentially the same topic...
I anticipate a second career of public service and / or coaching Little League.
I'm hoping for 5....
Jimbo
And I will be on the Amalfi Coast, or perhaps the Cinque Terre, with Tino, Giulio, Pietro, Yolande, and my Vespa, which won't be much help on all those steep hillside trails. Oh, and my (by then) husband. Hopefully, Aadpepsi, you and Paolo will join us for limoncino and prosecco and prosciutto e melone some evening. We'll talk about everything but banking.
Yeah, let's do it Mis Ind!!
Tirekicker, you can join us too. You might need a refuge from public service.
Jimbo, I need 10 more years to kick serious ass in this biz. But hell, if you're done in 5... you can head out to the Amalfi Coast first and open up a cantina for us.
I can smell the ocean and feel the breeze already... sigh.
I see myself sucking cock for stinger missiles on a small Caribbean island.
Hey, man, whatever does it for ya.
I wonder how many investment bankers make the move to politics. I know Mitt Romney (a fellow Michigander) was in Private Equity and Consulting, in fact I think he co-founded Bain Capital...
IB to Public Service makes a lot of sense, especially considering all the special interest donations you can hoard from the rolodex you acquire.
Yep...
Rubin, Corzine, Paulson, Romney...the list is a long one.
another huge name, esp since he's still in ny- bloomberg.
he actually restructured the city hall offices to look like a trading floor to increase access to info and people, etc.
One of our former guys has been very involved in politics. There are usually a few rumours running around about our former colleagues heading into public service.
the great thing about this industry is that after some level of seniority you end up having the option to be semi retired if you do your own thing. that is, you can spend most of your time sitting on a beach in thailand, but pop into london/nyc for a couple of months of deal making to top up your assets.
that's my goal.
1) begin to travel 2) kill myself because of the boredom and emptiness in my life due to the personal sacrifices I made to be a banker 3) Be buried with my money
I think there are plenty of upsides too....
Being able to pay your kids tuition, wherever he/she chooses to go without worrying.
Being able to get the best things for your family and yourself without worrying about expenses.
Having the luxury of thinking of retiring when you are 40...I mean how many people can even DREAM of that.
True, Bankers sacrifice a lot, but if you find a very understanding wife/husband, who is passionate about your ambitions, who understands your long term vision...its a pretty sweet life.
Check out Lakshmi Mittal's interviews on youtube...third richest man in the world, the planets biggest steel industry owner, busy as all hell, spends his time in the airplanes...he looks to be genuinely happily married, because he found the right wife...
Its just about being really positive versus focusing on all the negatives. I mean as long you are DETERMINED to have personal and family goals too, you're set...never have to worry about the financial side. And I bet you majority of worries of people stem from financial obligations and tensions, which bankers don't have to face.
Odds are, most of us will be laid off in the next few years as our economy enters a down turn. Most of us will not even sniff retirement by age 40. It has happened before and it will happen again.
Interview Question about Long Term Goals (Originally Posted: 11/28/2012)
I've always wondered this. Many financial firms have 2-year analyst programs, and after those two years the analyst leaves for another firm and firms know this. But when interviewing for that position and you get asked about your long-term career goals, are you supposed to say that you want to stick around? Or are you supposed to tell them the truth and say the position is a learning opportunity for the future and whatnot.
always wondered this as well
Some groups are more open to people leaving after 2 years than others, but some are very picky about this and really want people to stay (even if all the 2nd year analysts in the group leave year after year anyways). Better to play it safe and just say you'd be excited to launch your career at firm XYZ. You can emphasize that this is because you think it's a great opportunity to learn and develop skills but I'd be careful not to make it sound like you're contemplating a switch over to PE/HF already.
They, of course, will know that odds are very good you will end up leaving anyways, but that's just how this process goes...
Interview fit question (Originally Posted: 07/25/2011)
Hey all,
This bugged me during my interviews for SA last winter and I wanted to check to see how you guys would answer this fit question so I can handle it better this time around.
the question is: "What are your long term career plans? What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?"
I thought that it was ok to talk about my aspirations for venture capital or private equity, but I wasn't sure if its a good answer since im pretty much saying I don't want to stay in IB and only want to do it as a means to an end. Of course I think this must be the case for most people but how would you guys answer that?
Thanks
Doesnt matter, as long as you sound passionate. Dont just say "IB forever" because you think they wanna hear it. People can see through your shenanigans easier than you know.
I agree with the above poster, but at the same time you don't want to send the message that you already view banking jobs as inferior, before you've started as a summer analyst.
I would just weave in the fact that your shorter term goals are to 1) work hard and get a full-time offer and 2) work hard as a FT analyst and learn everything you can.
Instead of naming jobs you want to be doing later, you can focus instead on learning and what you want to achieve in IB - what kind of deals you want to work on, do you want to perhaps relocate to a different country for a year after 2-3 years, or may be get to work in different parts of the bank (fixed income, equity capital markets, etc) to make your experience more whole.
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