Interviews are designed to evaluate you on two things - Core competency and Culture Fit and to be honest, both are equally important. Core competency is what most of us prepare for, but what about the other?
A couple of coding tests and system design rounds are enough to test the skills. However, evaluating cultural fit is ambiguous and subjective. When I interview someone, I look for the following three things
- enthusiasm for the role,
- how pleasant it will be to work with with him/her, and,
- attitude and behavior under a pressure situation
The above pointers hold for more companies and interviewers, but the list is not exhaustive by any means. To demonstrate that you are a culture fit for any company, I would highly recommend you to
- research the company, role, and team, well
- listen before you speak
- never interrupt the interviewer
- disagree, but with respect and humility
- emphasize collaboration and demonstrate genuine curiosity
- acknowledge that your past achievements were the team’s success
- show enthusiasm for the company’s mission and goals.
Remember, for any pointer you put forth, back it with some situation or incident from your experience; keep it short and crisp. The most important gesture, end the interview by thanking the interviewer for his/her time. It might just tip the scale in your favor.
No matter if you are an exceptional engineer, if you cannot be a team player, the company would be happy to part ways with you. Nobody wants to work with a genius jerk.