Mistakes to Avoid for FAANG Interviews
This guide highlights the most common mistakes I’ve observed students making during interviews and provides practical tips on how to avoid them.
Over the past 1 year, I have been interviewing candidates for several Software Engineer roles at Walmart. Moreover, I spoke to several of my friends who have interviewed candidates at Google, Meta and Amazon.
I’ve observed several recurring mistakes that often hold candidates back—and here’s how you can avoid them:
1. Over-Relying on AI Tools (and Why It Backfires)
Many candidates think they can outsmart the interviewer by secretly using AI during online coding rounds.
Here’s the reality: If you’re smart enough to use AI, your interviewer is smart enough to catch it.
In the past year, I’ve seen multiple patterns that give away AI usage:
Using AI code suggestions (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT, Bard) in real time
– letting the AI generate the code and copying it directly.Copy-pasting large code blocks from another screen or tab.
Using plugins/extensions that auto-complete entire solutions instead of helping with small hints.
Looking off-screen frequently (reading prompts or solutions from a second monitor).
Unnatural typing patterns—sudden bursts of perfect code after long pauses.
How interviewers detect it:
Eye tracking and focus: Frequent side glances or scanning motions while typing.
Inconsistent thought process: When you paste a perfect solution but can’t explain why it works.
Typing patterns: Natural coding involves incremental typing and debugging. AI-generated code often comes in big, flawless chunks.
Follow-up questions: Interviewers ask “Why this approach?” or “Can you optimize it?” and the candidate freezes.
Even if AI helps you clear one coding round, it won’t help you in high-level or low-level design interviews. Those rounds are conversation-driven, and you can’t “paste” a system architecture.
2. Neglecting Behavioral Interview Preparation
Technical skills will get you shortlisted, but behavioral interviews decide if you get the offer.
a. Use the STAR Technique
Always structure your answers using the STAR method:
Situation: Briefly explain the context.
Task: Define your responsibility or challenge.
Action: Describe what you did.
Result: Share the outcome and what you learned.
This keeps your answers clear, concise, and impactful.
b. Explaining Your Projects
A common mistake: candidates struggle to explain their own projects.
Start with a layman-friendly explanation.
Only when prompted, dive into technical details.
Avoid bombarding the interviewer with jargon from the start.
This approach shows both clarity of thought and strong communication skills.
3. Misrepresenting Skills on the Resume
Some resumes list every possible technology under the sun.
This creates a negative impression, especially for freshers.
Tip:
Only list the skills you are confident in. It’s better to be excellent at a few technologies than mediocre in many.
4. Poor Answers to “What’s Your Weakness?”
When asked about weaknesses, many candidates give cliché answers like:
“I work too hard”
“I can’t say no”
These sound fake and rehearsed.
A better approach:
Choose a real weakness.
Explain how you are improving.
Example:
“Earlier in my career, I was so eager to find solutions that I often jumped straight into coding without understanding the full scope of the problem. Over time, I’ve learned to pause, ask clarifying questions, and think through scalability before implementation. This change has significantly improved the quality of my solutions.”
5. Faking Knowledge Instead of Admitting Gaps
If you don’t know the answer to a question, BE HONEST.
Repeating the same explanation or beating around the bush makes it obvious to the interviewer that you’re guessing.
Instead, say:
“I’m not familiar with this concept right now, but I’d love to explore it further after the interview.”
Interviewers value honesty and a growth mindset.
✅ Final Note
Interviews are not just about solving problems—they are about showing how you think, communicate, and learn.
Focus on these aspects, and you’ll stand out in your next interview!
💼 Checkout my Resume guidence, to design a stellar resume for your job/internship applications!
Thanks for reading!
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