'Impossible' eight-word job interview question that could get you rejected without realising

If you thought the trickiest part of a job interview was landing one in the first place, think again.

With recruiters getting cleverer, a careers coach has sounded the alarm over an 'impossible' question, that is said to be so deceptively simple it could derail your chances of being hired before you even realise what’s happening.

Madeline Mann - who has forged a full-time profession in helping others find their calling - explained that employers often include this specific eight-word query in an interview setting to see how candidates handle the pressure.

It's said that this common query is used to separate the cool, calm and collected candidates from the ones who can't wait to jump back into telling employers just how great they are.

This interview question is apparently super common (Getty Stock Images)

We are, of course, talking about, 'Where do you see yourself in five years?'.

"It's kind of an impossible question," Mann told CNBC, claiming that incorrect responses see 'so many job-seekers rejected'.

And what's worse - they mightn't even know that that's the reason they weren't hired.

The hiring manager isn't asking whether a prospective employee sees themselves married with children in five years, or relocated to Spain, or even the CEO of the company.

According to Mann, the response a candidate gives to this specific question should be used to demonstrate to employers how their goals and experience 'fit into' the role being applied for.

It's to give the hiring manager a clue as to whether an employee is sincerely interested in this job in particular, and whether the role aligns with their long-term ambitions.

The Q reportedly gives candidates a chance to explain how their experience will 'fit into' the role being applied for (Getty Stock Images)

If an employer gets the sense when asking this vital question that a candidate sees the job as a short-stinted stepping stone onto the next best thing, they won't likely be filled with confidence.

Mann says that some potential hires even use their answer to inadvertently show the employer that 'this role isn’t in their trajectory', by going on and on about longer-term future goals.

"They’ll say things like, 'I hope to open my own business in five years,'" she explained. "Or, 'I hope to get married in five years'."

Though it can be nice to discuss entrepreneurship or personal milestones in other questions, or once the candidate has landed the position they're seeking, when answering this particular question, Mann says it can 'give the impression that this person might be a flight risk'.

Employers are looking for yes-people, team players, and candidates they think will stick around for a while - not those looking to work their way up the chain of command as soon as possible.

A right answer to this particular Q is said to be more likely to result in a hire (Getty Stock Images)

With this in mind, Mann adds that possible employees should avoid telling their potential employer things like, 'I want your job in five years', to avoid coming off arrogant or bigheaded.

Instead, she recommends rethinking the wording of the question in your mind, to be 'How is this role favourable to my trajectory?'.

The expert advises saying things like 'I’d like to be taking on more direct reports', or 'I’d like to be owning bigger accounts' - even 'I would like to be the go-to person in the organisation for expertise' - instead of 'I expect myself to be the director of this department'.

These former examples are 'the product of excelling to the next stage', Mann notes, adding: "Instead of just saying, 'I’m chasing a title', you’re saying, 'I’m chasing outcomes that are going to be beneficial to the business'."