recruiter asking career goals interview questions from candidates

HR Resources

Interview Candidates Better with These Awesome Career Goals Interview Questions

September 4, 2022

Tima Rassool

Tima Rassool

Content Writer

So you want to be a successful interviewer? Great!

First, you need to have some awesome career goals interview questions. That way, you can get to know your candidate and see if they’re a good fit for your company.

But don’t worry; you don’t have to come up with all the questions yourself. 

In this blog post, we’ll share some of our favorite career goals interview questions with you.

 And trust us, these questions will help you find the best candidates every time.

So, let’s get started!

What Are Some Great Career Goals Interview Questions?

A candidate thinking about career goals interview questions posed by a recruiter

Asking about your candidate’s career goals interview questions is a great way to get to know them better and see if they’re a good fit for your company. Here are some of our favourite questions to ask:

  • What are your long-term career goals?
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • What are your short-term career goals?
  • What are your most significant professional accomplishments?
  • Why did you choose your current field or industry?
  • What are your future plans for advancement in your field or industry?
  • What is your dream job?
  • What are your skills and strengths?
  • How have you used your skills and strengths in your current or previous positions?

As you can see, these career goals interview questions will help you get to know your candidate’s goals, plans, and aspirations. And that’s important because it allows you to gauge whether or not they’re a good fit for your company.

How Can These Questions Help You Find the Best Candidates?

Candidates answering career goals interview questions

Asking candidates about their career goals is a great way to weed out those who are not a good fit for your company. For example, if you’re looking for someone willing to commit to a long-term position, you would want to ask about their long-term career goals.

Or, if you’re looking for someone with specific skills or experience, you would want to ask about their previous positions and accomplishments. In short, these questions will help you find the best candidates by allowing you to gauge their interests, skills, and commitment level.

Why Is It Important to Ask About Career Goals?

A recruiter asking a candidate career goals interview questions

A successful employee in the company is the outcome of a good interviewer’s work, and a failing employee in the firm is the consequence of a bad interviewer’s work. Therefore, asking your candidates about career goals interview questions is essential because it allows you to gauge whether or not they are a good fit for your company.

Here are the reasons you should ask career goal questions.

Understanding What the Candidate Wants

A recruiter listening to a candidate career goals

From the candidate’s response to the question, “What are your long-term career goals?” the interviewer will be able to understand what the candidate wants. The interviewer can use this information to see if the company can provide what the candidate is looking for and if they are a good match. For example,

Bad Match:

  • Candidate wants: To be promoted quickly.
  • Company provides: A position with little opportunity for advancement.

Good Match:

  • Candidate wants: To be in a position where they can use their skills and strengths.
  • Company provides: A position that matches the candidate’s skillset and needs.

By understanding what the candidate is looking for, you can better gauge if they are a good match for your company.

Assessing If the Candidate Is Serious About Their Career

Recruiters conducting a video interview

You want to hire someone who is committed to their career and will stay with the company for the long haul. Asking about their long-term goals will help you assess if they are serious about their career.

For example, a candidate who says they want to be promoted quickly is most likely not looking for a long-term position. On the other hand, a candidate who mentions wanting to use their skills and strengths in a position is more likely to be looking for a long-term commitment.

Therefore, by asking about their goals, you can better gauge a candidate’s loyalty and interest in the position.

Determining If the Candidate Is a Good Fit for the Company

A recruiter determining if candidates are a good fit for the company

One primary reason to ask about career goals is to determine if the candidate is a good fit for your company. As a recruiter, you understand the culture and values of the company, and you want to make sure the candidate is a good match.

For example, if your company values teamwork and collaboration, you should ask a candidate about a time when they had to work on a team project. By asking this question, you can get an idea of their teamwork skills and see if they are a good fit for your company.

Seeing If the Candidate Is Willing to Put in the Work

A recruiter and candidate on a video interview

In order to be successful in any position, you have to be willing to put in the work. You must be dedicated to your work and be ready to overcome every job-related obstacle. Of course, every job has challenges, but you want to ensure the candidate is up for the task.

Asking about their career goals will give you an idea of how dedicated they are to their career. For example, if a candidate says they want to be promoted quickly, it shows they are willing to do the extra work to reach their goal.

On the other hand, if a candidate is unwilling to go the extra mile, it might indicate that they are not entirely dedicated to their career.

Wrapping It Up

These questions are just the beginning of nailing down a candidate’s fit for your organization. By asking probing questions about their career goals, you can better understand whether they’re a good match for your company’s culture and values. So go ahead and ask away! And who knows, you might just find your next great employee.

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Author

Tima Rassool

Tima Rassool

A wordsmith, storyteller, and content strategist – Tima is an MBA graduate with 6+ years of experience in the world of HR. With over 2,000 blogs under her belt, Tima's expertise and insights have helped businesses across the globe take their recruitment to the next level and stay ahead of the curve.

Turn top talent to employees fast

Hire, assess, onboard and manage top talent for every job. See how Elevatus streamlines everything; from acquire to new hire.

Request a demo