How to answer Where do you see yourself in 5 yearsÂÂ

How to answer Where do you see yourself  in 5 years   There’s a question that seems to pop up all the time, and you can count on hearing it from inquiring bosses, curious colleagues, friends and family members, and perhaps most often- and most importantly- on job interviews. It’s ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?† How you answer this can say plenty about you. Want to learn how to best handle this question if you’re ever confronted with it and there’s a lot depending on your answer, like possibly getting a new job? Typically, this question arises on interviews in an effort to gauge your long-term career aspirations, as well as your ability to be self-reflective and think quickly on your feet. If you were faced with this question, would you be able to competently answer it in a way that would reflect positively on you? You certainly should be, because your answer may reveal a lot about you to the hiring personnel who are evaluating you as a potential candidate.If you’re starting to ge t anxious about whether or not your ability to answer this question effectively passes muster, don’t be- there are several strategies you can take advantage of in order to handle it well and improve your position during interviews. The Balance published an article  that covers some helpful strategies for letting the world know where you see yourself in 5 years. Make the most of the advice presented here to knock this question out of the park when it comes your way.Be honestThe first thing to do when confronted with this question is to take a deep breath and relax. Why? Because it’s not a trick question and it’s not designed to be. You shouldn’t feel pressured into making up a fantastical answer that demonstrates a desire to be on some unrealistic career trajectory. At its core, of your answer should reflect an honest but carefully considered and logical look at how you’d like to see your professional goals expand and evolve over time. It’s ok to reflect a level of ambition; in fact, your answer should show a desire for growth- no one fully respects a stagnant mindset. Just make sure that your answer shows a deep understanding of the industry you’re pursuing, reflects a level of growth that someone can reasonably hope to achieve in 5 years (going from the mailroom to the CEO’s desk may not be the best response, even if it’s what you’re aiming for), and includes a plan for making it all happen if pressed to elaborate.Don’t hop over the position in front of youYes, you want your answer to this question to highlight the fact that your ambitious and hope to achieve professional growth over the next 5 years, but you don’t want your answer to make it seem as if the current job in front of you is merely a brief stepping stone that you hope to leapfrog past quickly. Make sure your answer doesn’t come across that way.Mind your body languageAlways be sure that your delivery is ju st as strong as the content of your answer, because your audience will certainly be paying attention. Be sure to answer confidently and succinctly with impeccable body language and focus, and you’ll be doing you and your well-thought-out answer a real service.Highlight your giftsWhenever there’s a good opportunity to highlight your skill set and abilities on a job interview you should take it- it really doesn’t hurt to remind an interviewer what makes you a great candidate who potentially stands out from the crowd of applicants. So make sure that you back up your 5-year plan with reasons how and why your talents will help make it all possible.A few good answersUptowork published an article that highlights several well-crafted answers to the question â€Å"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?† Consider adapting these sample responses to fit your situation and goals.â€Å"In five years, I want to complete the internal training program for my position. Iâ €™ve read about it on your website, and I think it’s a fabulous program. Not only would I get all the training for my role, but I would be on the fast track to becoming a project manager. That’s my top career goal. Plus, my ideal path would include working abroad for a couple of years. I understand that it’s of value to you to find people prepared to do so.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"One of the reasons I want to work for PG is because I find your personalized approach to training attractive. I’m excited about the opportunity to work with a mentor and immerse myself in learning new skills. I’m also the type of employee that likes to hit the ground running and jump into projects as soon as possible. So, over the next five years, I see myself taking on as many complex assignments as the position would allow. By the end of that period, I want to say that I’ve built lasting client relationships. I want to say that I’m one of the best Salespeople on the team. I wouldn’t mind becoming someone who could train and mentor others when the time comes as well.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"As a marketing professional, I want to develop my skill set. At the end of the next five years, I want to know how to use software like Photoshop or InDesign. I want to have a better understanding of social media and video marketing. Plus I’d like to get into project management. I would like to learn on the job. Regardless, I want to look into online or evening courses. My hope is that I can apply my new skills to my job with you.†There’s no need to get nervous at the thought of having to tackle the (almost inevitable) question â€Å"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?† on interviews and other high-stakes situations. Use the strategies and advice presented here to put your best foot forward when answering this classic question. Good luck!Source: [zety.com]

5 Steps to Write a Strong Position Paper

5 Steps to Write a Strong Position Paper In a position paper assignment, your charge is to choose a side on a particular topic, sometimes controversial, and build up a case for your opinion or position. You will use facts, opinion, statistics, and other forms of evidence to convince your reader that your position is the best one. To do this, youll collect research for your position paper and craft an outline in order to create a well-constructed argument. Select a Topic for Your Paper Your position paper centers around a topic that is supported by research. Your topic and position have to hold up when challenged, so its helpful to research a few topics and pick the one you can best argue, even if it may not reflect your personal beliefs. In many cases, the subject matter and your topic are not as important as your ability to make a strong case. Your topic can be simple or complex, but your argument must be sound and logical. Conduct Preliminary Research Preliminary research is necessary to determine whether sufficient evidence is available to back up your stance. You don’t want to get too attached to a topic that falls apart under a challenge. Search a few reputable sites, like education (.edu) sites and government (.gov) sites, to find professional studies and statistics. If you come up with nothing after an hour of searching, or if you find that your position doesn’t stand up to the findings on reputable sites, choose another topic. This could save you from a lot of frustration later. Challenge Your Own Topic You must know the opposite view as well as you know your own stance when you take a position. Take the time to determine all the possible challenges that you might face as you support your view. Your position paper must address the opposing view and chip away at it with counter-evidence. Consider having friends, colleagues, or family debate the topic with you to get alternative points of view that you might not have readily considered yourself. When you find arguments for the other side of your position, you can address them in a fair manner, and then state why they are not sound. Another helpful exercise is to draw a line down the middle of a plain sheet of paper and list your points on one side and list opposing points on the other side. Which argument is really better? If it looks like your opposition might outnumber you with valid points, you should reconsider your topic or your stance on the topic. Continue to Collect Supporting Evidence Once you’ve determined that your position is supportable and the opposite position is (in your opinion) weaker than your own, you are ready to branch out with your research. Go to a library and conduct a search, or ask the reference librarian to help you find more sources. You can, of course, conduct online research as well, but its important to know how to properly vet the validity of the sources you use. Ensure that your articles are written by reputable sources, and be wary of singular sources that differ from the norm, as these are often subjective rather than factual in nature. Try to collect a variety of sources, and include both an expert’s opinion (doctor, lawyer, or professor, for example) and personal experience (from a friend or family member) that can add an emotional appeal to your topic. These statements should support your own position but should read differently than your own words. The point of these is to add depth to your argument or provide anecdotal support. Create an Outline A position paper can be arranged in the following format: 1. Introduce your topic with some basic background information. Build up to your thesis sentence, which asserts your position. Sample points: For decades, the FDA has required that warning labels should be placed on certain products that pose a threat to public health.Fast food restaurants are bad for our health.Fast food packages should contain warning labels. 2. Introduce possible objections to your position. Sample points: Such labels would affect the profits of major corporations.Many people would see this as overreaching government control.Whose job is it to determine which restaurants are bad? Who draws the line?The program would be costly. 3. Support and acknowledge the opposing points. Just be sure you arent discrediting your own views. Sample points: It would be difficult and expensive for any entity to determine which restaurants should adhere to the policy.Nobody wants to see the government overstepping its boundaries.Funding would fall on the shoulders of taxpayers. 4. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of counter-arguments. This is where you can work to discredit some of the counter-arguments and support your own. Sample points: The cost would be countered by the improvement of public health.Restaurants might improve the standards of food if warning labels were put into place.One role of the government is to keep citizens safe.The government already does this with drugs and cigarettes. 5. Summarize your argument and restate your position. End your paper focusing on your argument and avoid the counter-arguments. You want your audience to walk away with your view on the topic being one that resonates with them. When you write a position paper, write with confidence and state your opinion with authority. After all, your goal is to demonstrate that your position is the correct one.