How Far Can You Advance?

When interviewers ask, “How far can you advance” they are typically trying to learn about your current work situation.

A hiring manager might ask about your current job and what will happen if you continue working there. Ultimately, he or she is trying to gauge your attitude toward your current job and if there are any negative feelings toward it. There are a number of reasons why you may currently be searching for a new job, and when an interviewer asks about your current position or why you are looking for a new job, it is important to frame your existing work situation in a positive light.

Points to Emphasize

When answering this question, you should focus on yourself instead of your job.

• Talk about wanting to improve yourself and your skills
• Focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past
• If you talk about your current employer, then only talk about him or her positively
• Discuss what you can gain from this new job

You probably have many reasons for wanting this new job, and make sure that the reasons you mention are positive. You should not talk about how awful your current job is.

Mistakes You Should Avoid

Many people make mistakes when answering this question because they think it does not matter what they have to say about their current job. However, falling for these tricks is an easy way to lose a good job.

• Avoid gossip or negative statements about your present employer
• Avoid discussing specific people at your place of work and instead focus on this new job
• Don’t make it seem like you are someone who switches careers often
• Don’t talk about personal qualities that are preventing you from succeeding

It is very important to frame your answer in a way that talks about the future rather than talking about the past. The hiring manager should not get the impression that you will walk away from this job at the first sign of trouble.

Sample Answer

Talking about your current job can be tricky in an interview, but a good answer will look something like this:

I’m very grateful for the opportunities my current employer has given me, but honestly, the chances for growth here appear unlimited. There are certain skills and experiences I’m looking to gain that I can only get here, and I’m excited as the prospect of working with you.

Even if you genuinely do not like where you are working now, an interview is not the place to engage in trash talk. Keep the focus on what this new job has to offer, and your potential employer will be impressed.

Popular Interview Questions