[mistercow]

The problem with the latter question is that an while an honest and thoughtful answer would tell you how introspective the interviewee is, the expectations and pressure of the situation prevent almost anyone from being both thoughtful and honest. The question feels like a trap, and most people are much too worried about giving an acceptable answer to be thoughtful and introspective.

[lrobb]

True...

I much prefer to ask what they have done in the last year to improve as a developer, and what they feel they need to do in the next year.

But as an interviewer, you always have to be wondering how honest a person is being. That's why you also do an in-depth examination of their past projects, and ask them to design something.

[mistercow]

>But as an interviewer, you always have to be wondering how honest a person is being.

Of course, but you don't want to exacerbate the problem by making it socially difficult for them to think honestly and clearly.