Tell possible employer I'm in grad school?

[fsuao2006]

I applied to grad school for a Spring start, I will most likely be leaving my current job and relocating back to my home state and taking on another job during school (hopefully PRN). How do I address the "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" question. I'm afraid if I say I'm in grad school during the interview that will be a turn off since I will be graduating and leaving that job in 28 months. Should I just skirt the question and say something else?

[llg, PhD, RN]

That's a ticky situation. I would be honest, but vague -- emphasizing that you will be THERE for at least 2 years, maybe longer.

I would say that I was just beginning graduate and that program will take at least 2 years. (Who knows, you might run into some delays in the program and it might take 3.) I would also say that your plans for after school are definitely undecided.

Since you are going to be there for at least 2 years (and have no firm commitments as to what will happen next), I think you have something to offer an employer. You'll be there long enough to be worth hiring. But by emphasizing "at least 2 years" and the undetermined nature of what will happen next, you'll seem worth the investment by an employer. And by being honest, you won't feel like you are sneaking around or lying about being in school. You can get your relationship with your new employer off on the right (honest) foot.