Interviewer noticed the common mistake rejected candidates made, here's what it was
An interviewer shared on Reddit the mistakes candidates keep making in job interviews. The post prompted wider debate over how communication, brevity and composure shape hiring decisions.
A man who had interviewed more than 100 job seekers shared the biggest mistakes applicants kept making, saying many rejections had little to do with technical skills and everything to do with how people communicate.
The advice was shared on Reddit's r/interviews in a post titled, "Random advice while I'm interviewing ~3 candidates / day," where the interviewer, who identified themselves as an employee in a product organisation of a large technology company, compiled lessons from conducting more than 100 interviews over the past few months.
The interviewer began by stressing the importance of organised thinking, calling it one of the quickest ways candidates either impress or lose an interviewer. They encouraged job seekers to practise structuring their thoughts using random case studies, explaining that even strong ideas can fall flat if they are presented in a confusing way.
They also emphasised the importance of small talk, saying interviews are not entirely about answering technical questions. He said that when they ask candidates where they're from or similar conversational questions, most simply answer and move on.
However, they said they are always pleasantly surprised when candidates reciprocate by asking the same question back, adding that interviews are just as much about whether someone is enjoyable to work with as they are about technical ability.
Another major point was brevity. The interviewer said they had seen numerous candidates rejected simply because their answers dragged on for too long. They advised applicants to keep responses concise, even suggesting placing a clock on the desk during virtual interviews to avoid rambling.
As interviews progress beyond technical rounds, the interviewer explained that each stage is usually designed to assess one particular quality, whether it is attention to detail, the ability to work in ambiguous situations or resourcefulness.
Candidates were encouraged to identify what each interviewer is actually evaluating and tailor their responses accordingly.
The post also advised candidates not to panic if interviewers appeared to repeat the same question. Instead of guessing repeatedly, applicants should explain their thought process and ask for clarification if they felt stuck.
The interviewer suggested this demonstrated composure and problem-solving far better than continuing to struggle in silence.
The interviewer also claimed that many hiring managers intentionally adopt an informal, conversational style to help candidates lower their guard, but reminded readers that they are still being evaluated throughout the interaction.
The post concluded by arguing that while AI has made technical knowledge more accessible than ever, employers ultimately want people who can think clearly, communicate effectively and get work done.
Take a look at the post here:
The advice sparked a wide discussion among job seekers and professionals. Many users agreed that the interviewer had accurately described how modern interviews work, particularly the emphasis on structured thinking and concise communication.
Others said the section on small talk resonated with them, arguing that casual conversation often determines whether interviewers can imagine spending 40 hours a week working with a candidate.
Some even admitted they had previously performed well on technical questions but struggled because they came across as robotic during informal conversations.
Others praised the reminder that being "casual" during an interview does not mean abandoning professionalism, saying candidates often mistake a friendly interviewer for someone who has stopped evaluating them.
A man who had interviewed more than 100 job seekers shared the biggest mistakes applicants kept making, saying many rejections had little to do with technical skills and everything to do with how people communicate.
The advice was shared on Reddit's r/interviews in a post titled, "Random advice while I'm interviewing ~3 candidates / day," where the interviewer, who identified themselves as an employee in a product organisation of a large technology company, compiled lessons from conducting more than 100 interviews over the past few months.
The interviewer began by stressing the importance of organised thinking, calling it one of the quickest ways candidates either impress or lose an interviewer. They encouraged job seekers to practise structuring their thoughts using random case studies, explaining that even strong ideas can fall flat if they are presented in a confusing way.
They also emphasised the importance of small talk, saying interviews are not entirely about answering technical questions. He said that when they ask candidates where they're from or similar conversational questions, most simply answer and move on.
However, they said they are always pleasantly surprised when candidates reciprocate by asking the same question back, adding that interviews are just as much about whether someone is enjoyable to work with as they are about technical ability.
Another major point was brevity. The interviewer said they had seen numerous candidates rejected simply because their answers dragged on for too long. They advised applicants to keep responses concise, even suggesting placing a clock on the desk during virtual interviews to avoid rambling.
As interviews progress beyond technical rounds, the interviewer explained that each stage is usually designed to assess one particular quality, whether it is attention to detail, the ability to work in ambiguous situations or resourcefulness.
Candidates were encouraged to identify what each interviewer is actually evaluating and tailor their responses accordingly.
The post also advised candidates not to panic if interviewers appeared to repeat the same question. Instead of guessing repeatedly, applicants should explain their thought process and ask for clarification if they felt stuck.
The interviewer suggested this demonstrated composure and problem-solving far better than continuing to struggle in silence.
The interviewer also claimed that many hiring managers intentionally adopt an informal, conversational style to help candidates lower their guard, but reminded readers that they are still being evaluated throughout the interaction.
The post concluded by arguing that while AI has made technical knowledge more accessible than ever, employers ultimately want people who can think clearly, communicate effectively and get work done.
Take a look at the post here:
The advice sparked a wide discussion among job seekers and professionals. Many users agreed that the interviewer had accurately described how modern interviews work, particularly the emphasis on structured thinking and concise communication.
Others said the section on small talk resonated with them, arguing that casual conversation often determines whether interviewers can imagine spending 40 hours a week working with a candidate.
Some even admitted they had previously performed well on technical questions but struggled because they came across as robotic during informal conversations.
Others praised the reminder that being "casual" during an interview does not mean abandoning professionalism, saying candidates often mistake a friendly interviewer for someone who has stopped evaluating them.
A man who had interviewed more than 100 job seekers shared the biggest mistakes applicants kept making, saying many rejections had little to do with technical skills and everything to do with how people communicate.
The advice was shared on Reddit's r/interviews in a post titled, "Random advice while I'm interviewing ~3 candidates / day," where the interviewer, who identified themselves as an employee in a product organisation of a large technology company, compiled lessons from conducting more than 100 interviews over the past few months.
The interviewer began by stressing the importance of organised thinking, calling it one of the quickest ways candidates either impress or lose an interviewer. They encouraged job seekers to practise structuring their thoughts using random case studies, explaining that even strong ideas can fall flat if they are presented in a confusing way.
They also emphasised the importance of small talk, saying interviews are not entirely about answering technical questions. He said that when they ask candidates where they're from or similar conversational questions, most simply answer and move on.
However, they said they are always pleasantly surprised when candidates reciprocate by asking the same question back, adding that interviews are just as much about whether someone is enjoyable to work with as they are about technical ability.
Another major point was brevity. The interviewer said they had seen numerous candidates rejected simply because their answers dragged on for too long. They advised applicants to keep responses concise, even suggesting placing a clock on the desk during virtual interviews to avoid rambling.
As interviews progress beyond technical rounds, the interviewer explained that each stage is usually designed to assess one particular quality, whether it is attention to detail, the ability to work in ambiguous situations or resourcefulness.
Candidates were encouraged to identify what each interviewer is actually evaluating and tailor their responses accordingly.
The post also advised candidates not to panic if interviewers appeared to repeat the same question. Instead of guessing repeatedly, applicants should explain their thought process and ask for clarification if they felt stuck.
The interviewer suggested this demonstrated composure and problem-solving far better than continuing to struggle in silence.
The interviewer also claimed that many hiring managers intentionally adopt an informal, conversational style to help candidates lower their guard, but reminded readers that they are still being evaluated throughout the interaction.
The post concluded by arguing that while AI has made technical knowledge more accessible than ever, employers ultimately want people who can think clearly, communicate effectively and get work done.
Take a look at the post here:
The advice sparked a wide discussion among job seekers and professionals. Many users agreed that the interviewer had accurately described how modern interviews work, particularly the emphasis on structured thinking and concise communication.
Others said the section on small talk resonated with them, arguing that casual conversation often determines whether interviewers can imagine spending 40 hours a week working with a candidate.
Some even admitted they had previously performed well on technical questions but struggled because they came across as robotic during informal conversations.
Others praised the reminder that being "casual" during an interview does not mean abandoning professionalism, saying candidates often mistake a friendly interviewer for someone who has stopped evaluating them.
