The Art of Tech Interviewing

What great interviewees do differently

You’ve probably read hundreds of technical interview tips - “Practice LeetCode problems”, “Revise data structures”, “Know your system design.” These are all valuable, but there’s an underrated set of skills that truly differentiate outstanding interviewees from the rest.

Here’s what exceptional candidates consistently do differently:

They’re great communicators and embrace transparency

Outstanding interviewees aren’t afraid to think aloud, even when they’re unsure. Rather than quietly agonizing over their thought process, they share openly:

• “I’m considering two approaches here - let me talk through each briefly.”
• “I haven’t solved something quite like this before, but let me break down what I do know.”

This kind of transparency is powerful - it provides interviewers a clear window into your problem-solving mindset. Great interviewers don’t expect flawless reasoning but they appreciate witnessing your adaptability and analytical capabilities in real-time.

They use uncertainty as a strength

Many engineers view uncertainty as vulnerability, something to hide or minimize. Exceptional interviewees, however, leverage uncertainty to demonstrate clarity of thought:

• They ask specific clarifying questions that reveal their depth of understanding.
• They acknowledge roadblocks directly, turning moments of struggle into opportunities for productive dialogue.

Remember, interviewers often intentionally present ambiguous problems - not to trap candidates, but to observe their approach to uncertainty. Your comfort in facing ambiguity is a strength, not a weakness.

They optimize for problem-solving, not perfection

Top interviewees avoid the common trap of trying to deliver a flawless, optimized solution upfront. Instead, they:

• Start with an initial, workable approach.
• Explicitly acknowledge trade-offs and identify areas for improvement.
• Continuously refine the solution as they progress, demonstrating awareness of real-world iterative development.

Interviewers value your capacity to navigate complexity more than your ability to produce immediate perfection.

They showcase authenticity, not just technical mastery

Interviewers at Google - and other tech companies - look beyond technical skills. They want to see your genuine enthusiasm, passions, and values. Outstanding candidates naturally weave their personality into their responses:

• They articulate what genuinely excites them about technology, even beyond the scope of the interview.
• They’re comfortable sharing both strengths and preferences, creating authentic, relatable interactions.

Your technical abilities might open the door, but your authenticity and passion often seal the deal.

They reframe failures constructively

Many engineers fear admitting mistakes or setbacks during interviews. Exceptional interviewees recognize that past challenges showcase their resilience:

• They openly discuss previous difficulties, highlighting the lessons learned.
• They frame setbacks positively, emphasizing personal growth and self-awareness.

Interviewers aren’t seeking flawless records - they want evidence of your capability to adapt, learn, and grow. It’s very common to be asked about your gaps or lessons you’ve learned, so self-reflection is useful.

They practice structured adaptability

While preparation matters, exceptional interviewees understand the value of flexibility. They practice deliberately, preparing different approaches to potential scenarios:

• They rehearse breaking down complex problems into structured, manageable steps.
• They remain agile, shifting strategies smoothly when a particular solution path stalls.

Structured adaptability demonstrates that you’re ready not just for the interview, but for the unpredictability of real-world engineering problems.

Conclusion

Ultimately, mastering the art of tech interviewing isn’t about achieving immediate perfection. It’s about confidently communicating your thought process, handling uncertainty gracefully, demonstrating authentic enthusiasm, and continuously refining your approach. These are traits I’ve observed in the interviews I’ve overseen at Google and hope the advice resonates even more broadly.

Remember, the best engineers - and the best interviewees - embrace the journey of problem-solving, not just the destination.