Google Engineering Executive Reveals the Top 4 Mistakes Even the Most Qualified Candidates Make in Interviews

Daniel Rizea, the director of engineering at Google, has shared his insights on the common mistakes made by candidates during job interviews. Regardless of experience or tenure, Rizea says that candidates often make similar errors, such as being unprepared for behavioral questions and being tired during the interview.

As a director of engineering at one of Google’s largest wearable offices in Europe, Rizea has conducted over 1,000 interviews and has been a part of various hiring committees and boards. He has interviewed candidates from different backgrounds and seniority levels, including product managers, engineers, managers of managers, and UX designers.

Rizea highlights four common mistakes that many candidates make during interviews. The first mistake is what he calls the “halo of knowledge” trap. This occurs when candidates are good at their current job and assume they will excel in the interview as well. However, the skills required to pass an interview may differ from those used in day-to-day work. For example, candidates may be asked to solve complex algorithmic problems or design systems on the spot, which may not be typical tasks in their regular work. Rizea emphasizes that successful interviewing is a skill that requires practice and familiarity with interview techniques and question types.

To overcome this trap, Rizea suggests practicing interview questions, solving problems on one’s own, writing code on paper or in online documents, and doing mock interviews. He shares the example of a friend who successfully landed multiple job offers from big tech companies by practicing extensively and reverse engineering the interview process.

The second mistake Rizea highlights is candidates being tired during interviews. He notes that interviews can be stressful and can lead to a drop in IQ, affecting performance. Many candidates schedule interviews after a long day of work or at the end of the week, which can negatively impact their performance. Rizea shares his personal experience of scheduling an interview after a 10-hour workday and struggling to articulate solutions due to fatigue. He advises candidates to schedule interviews when they are well-rested and in their best form to ensure optimal performance.

The third mistake Rizea addresses is candidates not picking up on hints given by interviewers and going down irrelevant paths. He suggests pausing and asking interviewers for clarification if they are unsure about the direction they should take. Rizea highlights that interviewers often set clear expectations and appreciate candidates who ask for guidance when needed. However, he also cautions against abusing this by constantly seeking hints, as it may indicate a lack of problem-solving ability.

The fourth and final mistake Rizea discusses is candidates not preparing for behavioral questions. He acknowledges that many candidates find these types of questions challenging because they are more subjective compared to algorithmic and data structure questions. Rizea advises candidates to approach behavioral questions analytically by understanding the company’s values and culture. By researching the company’s values and reflecting on past experiences that align with those values, candidates can provide meaningful answers during behavioral interviews. He also warns against fabricating answers, as interviewers can usually detect dishonesty.

Rizea concludes by sharing his personal experiment with preparing for interviews. He compared two interviews, one where he was unprepared and scheduled it at the end of a workday, and another where he invested significant time in recalling algorithms, technical knowledge, and best practices. The difference in the outcomes was significant, with one interview resulting in immediate job offers and the other receiving a generic rejection. This experiment highlighted the importance of thorough preparation and understanding the needs of the company when interviewing for a role.

In summary, Rizea’s insights shed light on the common mistakes made by candidates during job interviews and provide practical advice on how to avoid them. By practicing interview techniques, being well-rested, seeking clarification when needed, and preparing for behavioral questions, candidates can increase their chances of success in the interview process.