Job Interview Questions and Answers
Question 56: How long do you think you will work for us?
When answering this question, keep in mind that it costs employers a small fortune to hire you. They have to spend thousands recruiting and training you, therefore, they don't want you to stay for just a few months or years and then quit. However, don't assume the interviewer wants your answer to be "I will be your most devoted employee until I retire forty years from now", particularly if your resume indicates you generally stay with one employer for five years (as most Americans do) before moving on.
Many HR experts recommend that you answer this question: "I will stay as long as I continue to grow and make a positive contribution to the company" but this answer has become somewhat of a cliché. Formulate your answer based on your age, your field, and your work history.
Good answer 1: "If I am offered this position, I plan to stay with this company until I retire about ten years from now. At this time in my life, I've begun to plan for my eventual retirement. This position offers an excellent retirement package and seems to come with many opportunities for growth, and I think I would have exciting and challenging work to perform for the remainder of my career."
Good answer 2: "If I am offered this position, I plan to stay with this company for a long time since there are many opportunities for growth and the position is one that would enable me to do quite a bit of software development work, which is my passion. This position gives me the opportunity to learn many different facets of the software development process and it will take me awhile to achieve everything I want to achieve at this job."
