- 1). Write down goals for yourself: one list for professional goals, and another for academic goals. When you face questions about your future in either category, you will be prepared to answer them with ideas from these lists. Some goals might include wanting to be a program manager for a nonprofit organization within five years of starting work. Another might be to get a degree with top honors from a well-reputed program in your field of interest from a university.
- 2). Expand on two or three of the goals from your lists by writing more details about them. These are the goals that you will use when you are in an interview. Ask yourself what steps you need to take to ultimately reach them. Define timelines for each step to help you stay on track. Each goal should be realistic and attainable. It is not wise, for example, to state that you want to become a regional maintenance director for a transportation agency within two years of graduating college if you have no experience in the field.
- 3). Practice answering questions about your future with a partner. Have the partner ask you a specific question about your future, just as it would be asked in an interview setting. Some include, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" or "What are your goals for your college career?" Give short, but complete answers to these questions. Questions about your future are only a small part of any interview, so keeping your answer short will help the interview proceed more smoothly.
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