3 Hidden Interview Truths (400+ Interviews Later)
MYTH #1: 'Any relevant example works'
REALITY: Example selection can make or break your interview
I recently interviewed two candidates:
Candidate A: Shared recent bug fixes
Candidate B: Detailed a critical system migration
Same experience level. Different stories. Different outcomes.
The game-changer? Candidate B chose examples showing:
• Technical depth
• Business impact
• Leadership ability
• High judgement
MYTH #2: 'Interviews test your knowledge'
REALITY: They evaluate your ability to work with others and create impact
Signs of a winning candidate:
• Asks insightful questions
• Shows genuine curiosity
• Makes it feel like a team discussion
• Brings fresh perspectives
• Shares thought process
Your technical skills get you the interview.
The addition of your soft skills gets you the offer.
MYTH #3: 'Good work speaks for itself'
REALITY: Context multiplies perceived value
WEAK: "I optimized our database queries"
STRONG: "Our marketplace was losing $50K daily due to slow load times. I:
• Analyzed 100+ problematic queries across 3 critical services
• Prioritized and tuned top 20 bottlenecks, reducing P95 latency by 90%
• Increased daily revenue by $1.2M through improved conversion
• Scaled system to handle Cyber Monday traffic (20x normal load)
• Documented and shared optimization patterns, helping 4 other teams"
Same work. Different presentation. 10x impact.
Remember: Interviews aren't tests - they're previews of:
• How you approach complex problems
• How you make and communicate decisions
• How you deliver business impact
• How you elevate the organization
Quick Tips:
• Document project wins while they're fresh (opportunity, contribution, metrics, impact)
• Quantify everything possible (time, money, scale)
• Practice structured storytelling (STAR format)
• Prepare questions that showcase strategic thinking
Your next interview could be tomorrow. Will you be ready?
Share: What's your best interview advice?
My colleagues Rajdeep Saha, Steve Huynh and Ethan Evans are all sharing their top interview tips today. Check out their perspectives.
