How to survive an interview and not mess it up
Candidates who lie in bed during interviews, smoke into the camera, or show up wearing a wife-beater tank top — yes, it’s a reality 🙃
Let’s break down how NOT to fail an interview and increase your chances of an offer. Perhaps some of the tips will seem too drama-queen, but it’s better to run through even the most basic examples than to stumble on such a small thing later.
Obvious things that are still being ignored
- Being on time matters.
Life happens — we get that. But if you’re running late and don’t let us know, it makes a bad first impression. Just shoot a message — “Sorry, I’ll be 5 minutes late” is all it takes.
- The background during the interview matters too.
Sitting in a dark room with a single flickering flashlight like you’re in a horror movie? Lying in bed during an interview just because it’s more comfortable? Not the best idea. Make the background neutral, don’t lie down (it’s not like you’re on vacation), make sure you can be seen and heard clearly.
- Smoking during an interview is not the best way to relax.
Now imagine that the recruiter is also a smoker but is holding on with all his might. And here you are, with a cigarette, IQOS, vape, in total freedom… But it is not a night out at the bar with friends. This is a job interview. We stick together.
- Do not show up for the interview in pajamas or a bathrobe.
Yes, IT is not a suit-and-tie corporate world, but basic neatness = respect. Have you seen candidates sitting around in a ripped t-shirt and scratching their belly? We have.
Non-obvious things that are important too
- Speak clearly and don’t turn the interview into a “guess what I meant” quest.
Doubtful: “Well, I was… doing something there, I mean, I was writing code… well, like, in JavaScript… well, that’s it.”
Better: “On the last project I worked with React, optimized the rendering, reduced page load time by 30%.”
- Don’t overstate your English level.
“Upper-Intermediate” on your CV and ‘Sorry, I don’t understand the question’ during the interview? That’s not a great combo.
- Changed jobs frequently? Be honest!
If you have multiple companies on your resume in the last year or two, be prepared to be asked. Hiding or making excuses is not a good choice. Be honest: “I was looking for better opportunities for growth,” or “I moved to new companies because there were no growth opportunities at my old one.” This will show your openness and understanding of what’s important to you for career growth.
- Coming with zero questions.
A job interview is not an exam where only you are tested. You shouldn’t act like you’ve been driven here at gunpoint. If you come, it means that you are at least a little bit interested in the job, the company or the project. We want to know what you care about.
A few tips to help you ace the interview
We’ve already talked about what not to do — now let’s focus on what to do. Here’s how to feel more confident and show your best side.
Before the interview: a little prep goes a long way
- Refresh your memory on your own experience.
Before the call, take 10–15 minutes to walk through your own story. What projects have you worked on? What tools or stacks did you use? What are you proud of? What kind of challenges did you solve? This quick prep will help you talk more clearly and confidently — even if you’re nervous.
- Think about what really matters to you.
You don’t need a dramatic answer to “Why do you want to work here?” But it is worth asking yourself: what’s important to you in your next job? Growth? A supportive team? Clear processes? A chance to work on something exciting? When you know your “why,” it’s easier to understand whether a company is a match for you.
- Do a little research.
You don’t need to do a deep dive, but check the company’s website, socials, and whatever else is out there. Even a quick scroll can answer some of your questions — and for the rest, just ask. Curiosity is welcome (and expected). A good recruiter will be happy to walk you through the missing pieces, so you both can figure out if this is the right match.
During the interview: be specific, be real
- Share what really matters.
We’re always happy to hear about your hobbies, but if you’re applying for, say, a designer role, show us your style. Share your best projects, tell us about your process, and what makes your work stand out. Your cases are your voice.
- Back things up with real examples.
Stories stick, vague words don’t. Share stories from work, tell us how you cope with stress when multitasking, how you set up processes — everything we need to understand that you don’t just have a CV, but real experience, just like in a game.
- Don’t be afraid to ask.
If a question or term throws you off, just ask. No points lost for clarity. It’s way better than guessing and missing the mark.
- Just be yourself.
Don’t try to be someone else, but find the positives in your negatives. For example, one of our spacers responded to a question about his weaknesses during an interview by saying, “Yes, I’m lazy. But I do everything quickly and get it right the first time so I don’t have to do it again.” Well done, we counted that as a plus! And yes, we later found out that this was true, not just a quote.
Yes, maybe you’re thinking: “Oh come on, everyone knows this!” But nope — sadly, we often go into interviews and end up thinking: “Wait… seriously?” And no, this isn’t just here to make the article feel meme-worthy — it’s really about seeing things from the other side.
What matters most is finding a place where you’re valued, and where your work actually means something. Good luck out there, may your search lead to something awesome and exactly what you’re hoping for.Let’s stay in touch!
