One reason interviewers ask this question is to see if you're settling for this position, using it merely as a stopover until something better comes along. Or they could be trying to gauge your level of ambition.

If you're too specific, i.e., naming the promotions you someday hope to win, you'll sound presumptuous.  If you're too vague, you'll seem rudderless.

BEST ANSWER:   Reassure your interviewer that you're looking to make a long-term commitment.that this position entails exactly what you're looking to do and what you do extremely well.  As for your future, you believe that if you perform each job at hand with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves.

Example:  "I am definitely interested in making a long-term commitment to my next position.  Judging by what you've told me about this position, it's exactly what I'm looking for and what I am very well qualified to do.  In terms of my future career path, I'm confident that if I do my work with excellence, opportunities will inevitable open up for me.  It's always been that way in my career, and I'm confident I'll have similar opportunities here."

Your answer should be relevant to the job for which you are being interviews. Do not start going into your personal life. Keep your self-introduction PROFESSIONAL.

A person is defined in three ways: (1) who he is right now, (2) what he has done in the past, and (3) what he will become in the future.

So, here is how you answer: (1) I am a [the job title for which you are applying or something very close.] (2) I have [how many years of experience] in [what field, what subject]. (3) I want to be [a job title that is a couple or a few levels above the current position for which you are applying in 5 to 10 years.]

Close your answer with an affirmative question: "Is there anything else you want to know?"

Here are more suggestions for answering this very common interview question.

• You should be very straight forward and honest in replying to this question. The interviewer wants to check if what you have mentioned in your resume is correct or not.

• I would answer the question based on who is interviewing me? If it's a sales manager/Technical Manager/Human resources manager? Depending on the person's field I'll have to mend the answer to please him...I feel that everyone's goals are different...so anlayse that and then answer.

• Answer this question with your 30 second "elevator speach" about yourself. The standard format for this speech is... "I am a (BLANK), who does (WHAT)." In my case... I am a PROJECT MANAGER, who PROVIDES QUALITY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, Blah, Blah, Blah. (you get the idea).

• The Answer can Start like this: "I have 10 years' sales rep experience, working in a variety of industries, from retail to advertising. For the past two years I have been working in the food industry. In addition to my successful sales techniques, I have a great record for forming long-standing relationships with customers. I'm a team player who thrives on challenge."

• Let me share what my recruiting office tells its candidates as they head out for that crucial face-to-face interview. When asked to "tell me about yourself," say, "I will gladly answer that question, but may I first ask you a question? (They ALWAYS say yes) So that I may better focus my answer, what are the issues you want me to address should you hire me? Once they share with you what they need to have you do, then proceed to address how your training, education, skills, and experience can best resolve these issues. By answering in this fashion, you have proven that you know how to focus ... and that you have what's needed to fix the issues they need to have fixed. It's always a winner ... and beats the heck out of, "Well, let's see, I was born on a small farm in Idaho ..."

• I am a self-starter dedicated, hard-working person who works well with other, punctual, detail oriented a team player, great organizational and interpersonal skills.