Be prepared for the question: What are your career aspirations?

As you prepare for your upcoming interview, there's a specific question that may take you by surprise: "What are your career aspirations?" While it may seem straightforward initially, answering this question can pose a challenge if you haven’t given it enough thought.

Most people figure they can respond with a few talking points about your future career plans and professional goals, but you don’t want to gloss over this one. Make sure you have a well-thought-out response prepared in advance.

In this article, we’ll break down how to answer the “career aspirations,” interview question diving into:

• Why interviewers ask about your career aspirations

• How to define your career aspirations

• How to answer “What are your career aspirations?”

• What not to say about your career aspirations

• Sample answers to impress a hiring manager 

Why do interviewers ask about your career aspirations?

Before you can craft a strong answer to this question, you need to understand why the interviewer is asking about your career aspirations so you can ensure you present an answer that will reinforce your alignment with the organization and role.

Employers ask about your career aspirations because they are trying to get a sense of what you’re seeking to gain from your career and want to determine how your response aligns with the company’s needs. Basically, they want to know if you’re going to stick around for a while and grow with the company.

The hiring manager doesn't expect you to stay with the company for your entire career, but they do want to know if you'll be there for a reasonable amount of time. For example, if you tell the interviewer that one of your career aspirations is to start a sales training consultancy, the interviewer might determine that you’re not planning on being with the company long-term because you’ll be focused on starting your own company. This may be a negative factor they consider when making a hiring decision. 

How to recognize the “aspirations” interview question

While the majority of hiring managers will ask about your career aspirations in some way during the interview, they may not use the word “aspirations” specifically. The question might be phrased as:

• Where do you see yourself five years from now?

• What are you hoping to get out of this role?

• Do you think this position aligns with your professional goals? How?

However they phrase it, be prepared to answer this question thoughtfully to impress the interviewer.

The difference between career goals and aspirations

It’s important not to confuse career aspirations with career goals. While these share some similarities, they are different. Your career goals are specific, short-term objectives that have a set time frame and are focused on achieving a clearly defined, tangible outcome, such as securing a promotion within six months.

Your career aspirations are long-term objectives that may change in terms of outcomes and results as you navigate your career. Consider them as your vision of what you hope to achieve in your profession down the road. Often framed as a "five-year plan,” a career aspiration reflects your hopes and dreams in terms of the career path you wish to pursue. 

How can you define your career aspirations?

Career aspirations can be impacted by many factors, such as your talents, values, or lifestyle. Homing in on what is important to you and what you are good at will enable you to better understand your career aspirations.

Start by exploring your strengths, focusing on where you excel and what you enjoy doing. If you can find a role that blends both factors, it’s a winner!

Reflect on your values

Determining what you care about can help you identify what motivates you. If you’re not sure, take the opportunity for some self-reflection. Make a list of what is important to you both in your life and in your career. Do some research to see how these values would fit into a long-term career.

Ask yourself introspective questions

If you’re unclear on your long-term professional aspirations, you may need to ask yourself some deeper questions to find the answer. Here are some sample questions to help you pinpoint your unique career aspirations:

• What are your talents and strengths?

• Which tasks do you enjoy doing? What tasks do you find unbearable?

• Would you like to manage a team?

• Do you prefer to work autonomously or in a team-focused environment?

• How would you measure success in terms of your career?

• What do you enjoy most about your career?

• When you envision your career, what do your day-to-day activities look like?

• What fulfills you—power, money, continual learning, innovation, helping people, or recognition? 

Do some research

Once you have explored these areas, perform some research on job positions and companies that are aligned with your answers. For example, if you are smart, compassionate, organized, and have great judgment skills, maybe you can aspire to be a human rights attorney. 

Seek out support

If you’re having challenges determining your career aspirations, you might meet with a career coach or mentor. An objective third party can help you uncover your aspirations if you are finding the process difficult. 

5 Steps for answering the question: What are your career aspirations?

While you may already know what your aspirations are, it’s important to make sure that they complement the job you’re applying for. To help you, follow this five-step process to prepare your response to ‘What are your career aspirations?’ 

1. Research the company culture and what the organization is currently working on in terms of short- and long-term plans

2. Review the job description so you can link tasks to your career goals and aspirations

3. Prepare talking points focused on your strengths in relation to the job skills required

4. Explain how your long-term interests, career plans, and aspirations tie in with the job’s key functions

5. Highlight your commitment to staying and growing with the company.

Gone are the days when an employee stays with a company for a lifetime, but if an employer is investing time and resources in you, they will want some commitment in return. Be honest, but try as much as possible to align your professional goals with the role. 

What not to say about your career aspirations 

Sometimes, knowing what not to say is just as important as what you do say. Here are three common pitfalls to avoid when answering questions about your career aspirations:

“I want to make more money.”

Look, everyone knows you want to make a good living with your career. But you shouldn’t put it front and center during an interview. Additionally, it doesn't let the interviewer know how the job you’re interviewing for connects to your long-term career goals.

“I want to be CEO in two years.”

While ambition is admirable, setting unrealistic goals can make you appear out of touch with the industry and the company's structure. It's essential to balance ambition with practicality surrounding career progression and growth. 

“I don’t know.”

If you're just starting out, you might not know what you're looking for just yet. But you don't want to come off like you have no ambition. Take the time to reflect on your strengths and values, and craft an honest answer that demonstrates you've thought farther ahead than just next weekend. 

Sample answers to questions about career aspirations

It’s challenging to create a response to questions about your career aspirations, but it’s not impossible. The key message you need to get across is that both you and the potential employer will benefit from your career aspirations and that you’re the best fit for the position.

Here are five career aspiration example answers to help you get started and tailor according to your personal scenario:

This response provides a specific job title and industry focus, outlining clear goals such as project contribution, skill refinement, and ongoing learning. It demonstrates enthusiasm and a proactive approach to career development while aligning the opportunity with their long-term goals.

This response specifies a desired role, outlines strategic goals like specialization and certifications, and emphasizes mentorship, showcasing a well-rounded approach to career advancement.

This response articulates a specific executive position, outlines strategic initiatives, emphasizes contributions at the board level, and highlights a commitment to mentorship, showcasing a comprehensive senior-level career vision within the company. 

This response clearly communicates a career transition, specifies the desired role and relevant certifications, and highlights proactive steps to build expertise and contribute in the new field.

This response combines specific areas of interest (data analysis and sustainability), outlines project leadership goals, and demonstrates alignment with broader company objectives, showcasing a well-defined and purposeful career direction.

If you want to take your interviewing skills to the next level, consider utilizing our interview prep services. 

Key takeaways

1. Interviewers ask about career aspirations to gauge your alignment with the company's needs, ensuring a reasonable commitment and growth within the organization.

2. Explore strengths, values, and interests to pinpoint career aspirations. Reflect on values, conduct introspective questioning, and seek support if needed.

3. Prepare a thoughtful response tailored to the company culture, job description, and your strengths.

4. Steer clear of common pitfalls, such as prioritizing money, setting unrealistic goals, or expressing uncertainty.