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[weneedjobs]

I will be a world leader in my field... This is what I think I will be and what I will strive to become. Would it seem bold to say something like this though? I expect to use this as an answer to questions like "where do you see yourself in xx years"? Is this a normal question to ask during a UK interview?

BTW, where can I find standard interview questions for UK interviews?

I found a 'top 5' list here
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/career-tools-and-advice/interview-tips/1276/top-5-academic-interview-questions-and-answers/

But I certainly would appreciate more... Thanks.

[babbinacara]

I will be a world leader in my field... This is what I think I will be and what I will strive to become. Would it seem bold to say something like this though? I expect to use this as an answer to questions like "where do you see yourself in xx years"? Is this a normal question to ask during a UK interview?

And I want to be a voice on The Simpsons.

It is a normal question to ask, but that answer would raise some eyebrows. You had better be well on the way to leading the world, with concrete proof such as groundbreaking research and a mighty list of publications with real and REF-style impact, to say something like that. Otherwise, you would sound naive at best, arrogant at worst.

[tuxedo_cat]

I would add "obnoxious" and "possibly delusional" to that list.  These are generally not qualities one is hoping to find in a potential new colleague.

That list of 5 ques. is pretty dopey.  #2 would seem to require clairvoyance on the part of the candidate.  #5 is totally irrelevant for junior searches on this side of the pond.

[hegemony]

Someone saying they'd be a world leader in their field in xx years would be a deal-breaker for me.  Cross that person off the list. In the interview, I'd want the person to tell me what they're going to do, not how fabulous they're going to be.  Let me draw my own conclusions about the fabulousness. 

[spectacle]

Someone saying they'd be a world leader in their field in xx years would be a deal-breaker for me.  Cross that person off the list. In the interview, I'd want the person to tell me what they're going to do, not how fabulous they're going to be.  Let me draw my own conclusions about the fabulousness. 

Yes, this would be a dramatic way to end up in my "no" pile, OP.

When in doubt in the face of an interview question, be specific and give examples.

And avoid the delusions of grandeur, for crying out loud. 

[busyslinky]

I don't think that "I would like to be an internationally recognized scholar" is not out of the ordinary.  It sorta says the same thing.  I definitely would not say "World Leader".

[totoro]

OP - I LOLed then I read your post. Maybe that's a good indication. Someone might ask the 5 year question. List doable but ambitious things within 5 years. e.g. get grants, try to get papers in certain journals, get PhD students etc. and what topics you want to research/teach etc. Long-term in your career, assuming you are young now, wanting to be an "international recognized scholar" is certainly a good ambition. That's our criterion for promotion to full prof. here after all.

We have a guy here who's official bio reads "X is a recognized thought leader". I laugh every time I see it. It's definitely not true.

[larryc]

I will be a world leader in my field... This is what I think I will be and what I will strive to become. Would it seem bold to say something like this though? I expect to use this as an answer to questions like "where do you see yourself in xx years"? Is this a normal question to ask during a UK interview?

And I want to be a voice on The Simpsons.

If you imagine the OP talking in the voice of Comic Book Guy the post is much funnier.

[weneedjobs]

Thanks a lot guys. I think I learned a lot from your replies. And they made me laugh (at myself) too. LOL.

I will focus on talking about my research plans, possibilities of fund raising, etc., and definitely will not say 'I want to be a world leader'.

[britmom]

Well, here's the opening question at one of my first interviews: "If you stepped out of here today and were knocked down by a bus, who would remember you and what would you be remembered for?"

I still remember the sense of blind panic that took over me, but I must have done OK as I got the job. (Perhaps the other candidate burst in to tears...). In comparison, every other question has been along the standard line of - do you have plans for a research project beyond your PhD; what types of assessment do you think are most useful for UG teaching; how do you see yourself fitting in with the rest of the department; what would you like to teach, blah, blah, blah. I don't think I ever got the 'where do you see yourself in X years' question; they tended to be much more specific. (What are you going to research next, what grants are you planning on applying for, etc.)

[scotia]

I think because so many universities now include a person from outside the department in which candidates would be employed, a question I have heard a few times is "What do you think you could contribute to the broader university?". 

[olddrone]

Yes, I think you should say, "I will be the President of the World in three years.  If I fail, please fire me!"

[username2]

Let's not be too harsh - UK ads often ask for specific goals like "evidence of internationally recognized research" that might have triggered the OP's thought.

I agree with answers above that it is better to be specific and say things like "I would like to publish two articles in A-level journals in the next three years." You could also be specific about the journal names, because this gives evidence of your ambitions in a way that is more realistic. (Yes, they might look at your research and think "good luck with that" for your journal goals, but at least you show that you have these plans.)

[scotia]

Also, the correct answer to "Where do you see yourself in five years time" is absolutely not "I would like to be doing your job". When the job concerned is that of a dean with major insecurity issues it can lead to some interesting moments to follow (one member of the panel I was on when this happened described the rest of the interview as "like watching a Christian fed to a particularly aggressive lion").