This question “Where do you see yourself in five years?” seems to be drawing a lot of fire this week. Susan posted a comment:

Rather than assume that Joann lost control of the interview, look at the approach she was taking. It seems she took the nondirective approach to the interview which allows the candidate to have control. The question asked is justifiable, however, the reliability and validity of the answer is minimal.

Quick recap. I sat in on an interview where the interviewer lost control simply by asking the 5 year question. Susan is suggesting that the question might be appropriate if the interviewer is choosing a nondirective approach to the interview.

The sole purpose of the interview is to capture data (facts) so the interviewer can make a hiring decision. Anything that detracts from that purpose should be seriously questioned and likely discarded from the interview process.

Right now, you are reading this so you can make better hiring decisions. I will guarantee you that, right now, candidates are reading articles to defeat you. Candidates are being coached by headhunters to take control of the interview, so they can tell you only those things that are to their advantage.

Allowing the candidate to take control of the interview is a dramatic waste of your time and pulls you away from your purpose of gathering facts so you can make a better hiring decision. Candidates are being trained to specifically derail you from this process. -TF