How to answer "Where do you see yourself in five years"

Completely understand your concerns about  a too polished answer. Just quickly drafted an answer, maybe you can use parts of it:

“That’s a great question, and to be honest, as someone just starting my career, I’m still exploring where my strengths and passions might lead me. What I do know is that I’m really motivated to grow and develop in a role like this, where I can build my skills and make a meaningful impact. Over the next five years, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of this industry, take on new challenges, and work toward becoming a valuable team member who contributes to bigger projects.”

Not sure though if something like this works..

Totally fair—and you're not alone. Most people early in their careers don’t have a five-year plan that’s fully mapped out. Interviewers know that. They're not looking for a crystal ball prediction; they’re looking for direction, self-awareness, and whether your ambitions make sense given the role.

If your answer sounds too polished or too rehearsed—like “In five years I want to be VP leading cross-border M&A deals across three continents”—it might come off as performative or disconnected from reality.

A better approach is to show curiosity, drive, and openness, while keeping it grounded in the role you're applying for. You can be honest about not knowing exactly where you'll land, as long as you show that you’re thinking about growth in a serious and thoughtful way.

So you could say something like:

“To be honest, I don’t have a rigid five-year plan, but I do know the kind of direction I want to move in. I’m looking to build a strong foundation in [finance, investing, strategy—whatever applies], learn from high-performing teams, and push myself through real challenges. Over the next few years, I want to develop deeper expertise, take on more ownership, and hopefully move into a role where I’m helping make big decisions that shape businesses. I’m open to how that path evolves, but that’s the kind of trajectory I’m aiming for.”

This kind of answer shows focus, ambition, and maturity—without pretending like you’ve got it all figured out. That’s usually what resonates most.

Hey There!

It’s completely fine not to have your five-year plan mapped out perfectly, especially early in your career. A strong answer shows that you’re thinking about growth and are excited to learn, without pretending to know every detail. You could say something like, “In five years, I hope to have developed a strong foundation in finance, contributed meaningfully to deal work, and taken on more responsibility within the team. I’m keeping an open mind, but I know I want to build expertise and grow in a challenging environment.”

What matters most is that your answer reflects genuine motivation and self-awareness. If it sounds too rehearsed or vague, interviewers might pick up on it. But if you speak with honest interest in the role and a clear desire to learn, that’s often more compelling than a perfect script. Show that you’re focused on making the most of the opportunity in front of you — the long-term clarity will come with experience.

I recommend taking a look at the career steps in IB and figuring out where you would land in 5 years if you deliver a solid performance. That plus a good argumentation on your ambition to learn and develop should most likely do the job. ?