Here's what hiring managers really want to know when they ask, 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?'

It may not seem like a tricky question, but your response to, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" can make or break your interview.

"The purpose of asking this common interview question is to understand whether a candidate is looking for a career rather than just a job, whether their goals align with the organization's goals, and whether they have a realistic plan for their future," explains David Wishon, chief recruiting officer at job search site Happie.

Dale Kurow, a New York-based executive coach, says your response to this question can also tell the company if you have the requisite work ethic, attitude, and loyalty to be a good hire in the long term.

Here's what hiring managers do and do not want to hear when they ask this question: