This is a textbook interview question and is mainly asked because people who interview infrequently research questions to ask and this one always pops up with “where do you want to be in 5 years.” Some human resource professionals ask it because they believe the answer provides special insight to as to what the candidate thinks of him/herself.
The question has some variations such as asking for the top three or five strengths and/or weaknesses or the questions asked separately during different parts of the interview.
How to answer it: