What Is Your Career Goal? Long Term? Short Term?

This is perhaps the most commonly asked interview question. This is where a great many candidates become selected or eliminated. So preparation here is a must!

The first step is to recognize what the interviewer is looking for. Most likely it is to confirm your long term interest in performing the duties of the position in question, and to see if your goals are in line with advancing with the company or if you are simply looking for a stepping stone.

Most managers want the comfort of having the right person in the job for an appropriate period. Also, the person that wants to advance within the company, in due time, will normally put forth more effort than most.

Common ways of answering the goal question improperly may be expressing to much of a desire for advancement or having a non related goal, such as, a personal business endeavor not related to the company’s industry, or a goal which may elude to the fact that you are not going to be around very long. The best way to answer the goal question is simply in terms of the position which you are interviewing for and your desire to do a good job!

Bring several copies of your resume.
Have a separate reference list prepared.
Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Dress professionally or accordingly.
Bring any research material on the company.
Smile and use good posture.
Speak clearly, properly and never ramble on.