In this week's release of How to Answer, we will help our readers that are interviewing or being interviewed for a position at a new company or an internal proportion by discussing the reasons why you ask or have been asked “What are Your Career Aspirations.”
As always the question, "What are your career aspirations?" is designed to assess multiple factors. To help understand the question before diving into its individual aspects, think of how it could be rephrased. Essentially what you are being asked is, “Explain how long you see yourself being here?” Here are the main reasons why an interviewer asks this question:
Employers want to understand if your career aspirations align with the goals and direction of the company. By asking about your career aspirations, they can gauge whether your ambitions align with the opportunities and growth potential offered by the position and the organization as a whole.
If you are intentional with the positions you are applying to, the chances that you are currently compatible with a company's goals and directions are high. The same goes for interviewers if you are intentional with who you interview based off initial impressions of a candidate and their work history it is likely the candidate is compatible. Individual contributors and companies align as long as the individual contributions are still needed by the company and the individual is happy to stay in an individual contribution role. That said people and companies grow at different rates so there may come a day where an individual is no longer a fit. If you are being interviewed, do not be afraid of being honest about how long you see yourself in the position and your objectives for the company while you are in the position.
An interviewer wants to determine if you are genuinely passionate and committed to your career. By discussing your aspirations, they can assess if you have a clear vision for your professional development and if you are motivated to pursue growth and advancement opportunities within the company.
If you are an active reader of this blog it may come as a shock to you that some people are not genuinely passionate and committed to developing their career. At Acquired Salary we have seen many people who have droned on and ended up in a career they do not want. If you are a new reader and you feel like you have been one to drone on in the past and have ended up in a career you never intended, schedule a consultation with us to see how we can help you turn your career into something you are passionate about. Click here.
Be intentional and authentic. If you are an interviewer you need to be intentional with the questions you ask. For many, how to interview is a skill they were never taught. Reading this series is a great way to get intentional and ask questions that are important and authentic for what your company is looking for.
For those who are receiving this question our advice is the same: be intentional and authentic. Intentionality in the roles you apply to will ensure they are positions you are actually motivated and committed to. Being authentic will also allow you potential new employer to better understand what levers they can pull when working with you to help boost your motivation and keep you happy to be working for them.
Companies often have their own unique work culture and values. By asking about your career aspirations, interviewers can assess if you share similar values and if your aspirations align with the company's mission and vision. This helps them determine if you would be a good fit for their team and if you are likely to stay with the organization in the long term.
Avid readers of this series can probably see a trend starting to develop. Almost every interview question is an opportunity for interviewers to assess a candidate's cultural fit for a company and role. That means as an interviewee every question is an opportunity to demonstrate how you fit into a company’s culture. As always, that requires both parties to understand the values of the company as they are the foundation for the culture. The best way to have a successful interview is to prepare ahead of time by reading into the company and its values.
Employers are interested in candidates who show ambition and the potential for growth. Sharing your career aspirations allows them to evaluate your level of ambition, your drive for success, and your willingness to take on new challenges. They want to know if you have the potential to contribute to the company's growth and success.
Between ambition and potential an interview would likely shed more light on the ambition side of things. This is because there are many factors in one's potential. The clinical research literature has shown that those who have high conscientiousness tend to have more potential. The same goes for if they rank high on the Intelligence Quotient IQ scale. It is rare to see questionnaires that assess those traits during an interview. To discuss ambition, mention your objectives in applying and working at the company. For those that are earlier in their career we find that communicating you are in a season of learning and working to master your skills with 10,000 hours is a great approach.
Companies often consider long-term talent management and succession planning. By understanding your career aspirations, interviewers can identify potential future opportunities within the organization and how you may fit into their talent development plans. This helps them evaluate if you could be a valuable asset in the long term.
By discussing your career aspirations, interviewers can gain insights into your personal and professional development goals. They may consider if the company can provide the necessary resources, training, and growth opportunities to help you achieve those aspirations. This information helps them assess if they can support your growth and development needs.
Remember, when answering this question, it is important to strike a balance between demonstrating ambition and aligning your aspirations with the organization's goals and values. Be honest and authentic, and emphasize how your aspirations can contribute to your own growth as well as the company's success. Place more weight on how you can solve the company’s problems and help them succeed.
All together if you are answering this question explain what your objectives are in applying and working at this company. What problems are you trying to solve for the company. Additionally explain if you were ever to transition out how that would happen. Maybe you are applying to build a department if so your answer might sound something like, “ I could see myself being here for three years building x department. Beyond that I do not know if there is room for me, but I see myself committing to a solid 3 years to develop the department. If the time comes where I see that I am no longer needed or there is no more growth for me here I would make sure to backfill myself.” Take special notice of the end of that response. All employers have a fear of a hire leaving, it is a massive amount of work to backfill a position so if you can soothe those fears in an authentic realistic response you will be putting your best foot forward.
For the Interviewers that are asking this question accept those realistic answers. Gone are the days of company loyalty; the incentives no longer align for an individual to stay at one place for 20 years. Avoid being short-sighted with that expectation and you will find that you actually have a lot of qualified candidates with transferable skills that will help you achieve the company's goals.
For the readers that have made it to the end of the article we appreciate you taking the time to read and learn how to be more versatile in your career. Since you made it this far we hope we have provided value to you. If so please share on LinkedIn as most of our readership comes from referrals and we want to help as many people as possible. If you have any questions that haven't been answered do not hesitate to contact us.
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Career coaches assess skills and values to align them with suitable career paths. They offer strategic advice on job search activities, including crafting compelling resumes and cover letters. Career coaches can also assist with overcoming workplace challenges and fostering professional development.
If you find yourself feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or uncertain about your career path, a career coach can provide valuable insights and strategies to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're considering a career change, seeking professional growth, or looking to improve your job search techniques, a career coach can be a valuable partner in your journey to success.
The duration of career coaching varies depending on your unique circumstances and objectives. Some clients find value in a few focused sessions, while others choose ongoing support over an extended period. Your career coach will work with you to determine the most suitable timeframe and frequency of sessions to ensure maximum benefit.
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When you have employees who are getting paid salary they are usually more productive if they are paid right. That is why salary negotiations are much more important. A salary increase plays a crucial role in productivity.
When negotiating salary there are mutliple ways you can be productive. These can include: becoming familiar with your industry, staying positive, practice, and more.