I think the best way to "answer" the where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years question would be to first reflect on what the intention behind the question actually

I think the best way to "answer" the where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years question would be to first reflect on what the intention behind the question actually is. I've never asked that question of a candidate because I find it insipid and believe it would be a turn off to cool people. It makes the interviewer seem like a corporate stooge, and may put the interviewee into a bullshit corporate appeasement mode. I think this is the only correct assessment of that question. A skilled behavioral interviewer would never use such a stupid question, IMHO. I've never been asked that question. I suppose I would answer with bullshit if I really still wanted the job. As for the actual true answer? I have no freaking idea. It depends on what happens, what opportunities arise, and what obstacles. I fully expect corporate drones would not appreciate such an answer, so bullshit it is.