The dreaded “Where do you see yourself in 5 years”?

[Stirts]

I don't think much past dinner at the moment. Sometimes I dare to think about the weekend coming up.

ME TOO!!! I don't think he comprehends what he is asking of me!!!

How can I possibly see where I would like to see myself in 5 years let alone 10 seconds!
I change my mind like I change my moods...

[SPman]

Such fond memories I have of working in an HR Department within the Tertiary Education Sector (which was packed to the rafters with "human remains") was the majority had power beyond their level of intelligence and generally spent most of their time justifying their existence.

Their main occupation seems to be furthering the cause of the HR dept.

[Oakie]

"Everyone hates human resources. It's one of the pet peeves of most employees. But then, let's face it, most HR people are not that bright and HR has not proven to be an effective career track. It's certainly not the fast track to the top. Historically, it's been a depository of people who haven't made it somewhere else. Not going anywhere? There's always HR."

Well that's a broad statement for such a narrow mind.

[avgas]

Well that's a broad statement for such a narrow mind.

Don't mind him. He uses bandwagons for transport.

[Oakie]

Don't mind him. He uses bandwagons for transport.

LOL. Nice!

[oneofsix]

Their main occupation seems to be furthering the cause of the HR dept.

The only self perpetuating department. The more HR people you have the more HR people you need to to handle the work involved in those you now have.

[Scuba_Steve]

Well that's a broad statement for such a narrow mind.

That wasn't my invention, I believe that might have come from a "respected" US Business magazine. & my mind aint narrow just a little insane (things are better that way)

Don't mind him. He uses bandwagons for transport.

I would take that tho!

[avgas]

The only self perpetuating department. The more HR people you have the more HR people you need to to handle the work involved in those you now have.

Nope
- Auditing Accountants
- Anything with the term "consultants"
- Management (esp. operations)

And probably more I can't think of.

[vifferman]

Their main occupation seems to be furthering the cause of the HR dept.

True (at least for the HR people I know). That and shmoozing with management (which I guess is the same thing).

The only self perpetuating department. The more HR people you have the more HR people you need to to handle the work involved in those you now have.

Also true (as above).
We have two HR people in an office of about 20. They have NO interaction with anyone here except the GM, which seems to be fine with most people.
You'd think it might just be a pre-requisite for a Human Relations person to have some modicum of people skills, but the two here seem to be self-absorbed, very poor listeners, and useless at anything employment related. Mind you, I might just be biased because the useless head HR cow cost me more'n $2k, when I was off work, emailed her to ask for help, and she did basically nothing. Then months later goes, "Oh - how did you get on with ACC? They turned down your claim, huh?" (Medical misdaventure, resulting in a permanently damaged shoulder).
"No - they approved it, apart from about 3 weeks where I was only working part-time and they'd deemed I'd returned to full-time employment, because I couldn't drive, so was stuck at work until my 'ride' was ready to go home".
She then proceeded to tell me what their normal system for working with ACC was, which was exactly what I needed, and what she'd failed to tell me when I asked her at the time.

I have to chortle when EVERY day she comes in (late), goes, "Morning!" and is met with complete silence. Stupid cow...

[Smifffy]

We in the production department do everything we can to support the HR and purchasing functions of the business. It is our top priority, we could not get our products effectively to market without them. I repeat this daily to myself in the hope that one day it will cease to be ironic.

Personally I feel the old "where do you see yourself etc" to be somewhat lazy leadership. That is probably why it is so prevalent.

IMO a good leader first of all let's everyone know what their own plans for the future are. Then they inspire those around them to work towards that plan. Some people have planned careers out for themselves based on being in certain roles by certain times and IME these are the people that move from company to company, bringing with them a whole lot of baggage, and no real commitment to a long term future.

Some of the best people have slogged away at the same company and then made the most of an unexpected opportunity that popped up.