Got contacted by a FAANG recruiter, had a nice general chat and she said she wanted to get me together with the hiring manager to learn more about the role. She emphasized that it would not be a coding interview, which I interpreted to mean it would not be a technical interview.

So I didn’t prepare at all, anticipating a chat where they did most of the talking and I maybe talked a bit about my work history.

I get on the call and the guy starts peppering me with specific questions about a technology I had said I liked but hadn’t worked with for like 5 years.

I made the mistake of BSing a few things. the guy immediately caught on to the BS and seemed to have a good time calling it out. Very embarrassing. It felt like I was getting cross examined or something. After about ten minutes I managed to get off my back foot and end the interview, salvaging some of my dignity.

He weirdly became extremely friendly after I said I didn’t think this was a good fit. Still not quite sure how to interpret that.