10 tips for you to answer the interview question “What are your career aspirations?”

Having a career aspiration is important because it helps you to define what you want out of the job opportunity. You should be thinking about what you want to do further along your career path. Your career aspirations should include things like your ideal position, salary range, and industry. These are all things that employers consider when hiring new employees. The key to answering career aspiration questions, which are some of the most common questions in the job interview, is to think about what the interviewer wants to hear from the candidate. Below are 10 tips for effectively addressing this interview question "What are your career aspirations?"

1. It's all about chasing your career goals

An employee's career aspiration is very important to any business. A good candidate should, therefore, be able to pursue his or her professional goals within the company structure. To showcase your aspiration, it is important to provide clear and explicit answers that articulate your career desires. For example, you can respond to the questions by saying: "I'm very interested in my work. My ambition is to be successful. I am willing to learn new things. I care about my work and do my best to succeed. I want to be seen as one of the best team players".

2. Think about dovetailing your career aspirations every time with the job description

Good responses to this question can highlight the similarity between your career aspirations and those of your job description and, by extension, the company's goals. For example, think about saying things like: "I was attracted to this job because I wanted to work in an environment that was both challenging and fun. I also thought that there would be plenty of opportunities for me to experience career growth because I would like to expand my knowledge in (job field). In addition, I like the idea of working in a team and being part of something bigger than myself."

3. Stress the desire to grow personally and professionally, and leave a great lasting impression

Tell the prospective employer about your career goals and aspirations. State how you are going to use what you learn at the company to improve your professional life and to develop personally as well. There's nothing wrong with saying your career goals include becoming a leader in your field in the future (provided you can come up with some examples of your strategies to achieve that position), in order to strengthen your interview performance.

4. Set yourself specific goals and talk about them to the recruitment team

Career aspirations are important to every candidate because they help you define who you want to become. You should think about what you feel fulfilled and energised and whether this type of job would allow you to do those things. Your ambitions should also include activities that take up more than an hour or two per week. Be passionate about contributing to projects, teams, and workplaces. If you'd love to work for an organisation that cares about its employees' well-being, don't hold back in saying so when you answer.

5. Always connect with the company at every opportunity

You should research the company before an interview. Look at their website, social networks, news mentions, and their profile. Be sure to mention things you've seen on their web pages, because it will show the hiring manager that you've done your research and that you're a strong candidate. If the company's website says that it's keen to reduce its carbon footprint, for example, mention that you agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment.

6. Avoid making the biggest mistake of all with an inappropriate answer

When potential employers ask about your career goals, don't ever say I don't know. This will make you sound unprepared, unambitious, and possibly lazy. Questions specifically related to your potential career path aren't about life goals. Unless asked otherwise, keep your answers about your career goals and aspirations and demonstrate with examples that you would like to have career development through this role.

7. Always remain aware of why the interviewers have asked this particular question

When the hiring manager asks about your career goals, they are looking for signs that the job will suit you, that you can develop, and that it will keep you interested and motivated. Tailoring your answers so they give the interviewer this impression at an interview is a very effective strategy, especially if you can convey the excitement and passion that you could bring to this role at this moment in time.

8. Think in the mid-term and plan for the long-term

When discussing your career goal with a prospective employer, two to five-year goals are good because you can plan ahead and show that you have some idea as to what you want to do at a later time. However, if you talk too much about your goals, it may seem like you're not really serious about your job. Some statements can sound more like wishful thinking than anything else, so try not to say that you want to be CEO of Google by the end of the decade. When people ask about your career goals, try to stay realistic. Pick a career goal that's three or four years away, and one that matches the company culture. Don't pick long-term career aspirations, as it can be difficult to come up with a long-term career strategy.

9. Don't be too frivolous with your answers as a candidate

Job interviews are serious, so when you're asked about career goals, it's not a good idea to tell the hiring manager that one day you want their job. Give the question some thought, make good eye contact, answer in a professional manner, and showcase your communication skills. There are times for humour, but when you're speaking to a recruitment team, keep it formal. Answers such as: "I want to be successful here because I am passionate about what the company does." will often go down well.

10. Don't miss out on an opportunity to impress

Every job interview offers the candidate a chance to sell themselves, so don't let that chance pass you by. You are your own PR person in that room, so be sure to say the right things at the right time, and never lose sight of the fact that the hiring managers and department heads are asking you questions in a bid to enable them to hear the right answers. Provide those answers yourself, and you could be well on the way to making your professional life fulfilling for you.

In all interview situations, positivity and a can-do attitude are key elements. You should act confident because if you feel nervous about your interview, you might come across as unprofessional. Remember a time when you felt successful and try to think back to how you acted during that time. Then, show confidence by acting calm and composed. Practice answers by asking yourself how you would respond if asked these questions. Then, practise those responses again. With a positive attitude and well-planned answers, you'll already be in a position of strength to achieve your own potential career success.

Kickstart Your Successful Job Search with Michael Page

After equipping yourself with the 10 tips for answering questions about your career aspirations and goals in an interview, are you prepared for a successful job hunt? At Michael Page, we offer a wide array of captivating job opportunities for you. Our job search tool simplifies the process of finding the perfect job for you, and you can even set up job alerts to stay informed about new openings. Moreover, our salary comparison tool and salary guide empower you to confidently plan your next career move by providing access to salary data across industries, giving you valuable insights into your desired position.