As a senior technical leader or practitioner, you've likely been asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” in interviews. It’s a deceptively simple question that can reveal a lot about your intentions and how you view your career trajectory.
For technical professionals, the dynamics of this question often center around whether you're looking for a stepping stone or a long-term technical challenge. Interviewers use it to determine if you're invested in their organization’s growth and whether you align with the team’s long-term goals. They may also be gauging your ambition, or even assessing if your career goals match their organizational needs.