This was one of the least positive interview experiences I’ve had. The recruiter explained that I should expect a project-focused interview (i.e., deep dives into my past work, exploration of my problem-solving process, and follow-up questions that would go beyond surface-level answers). The actual interview was quite different. The interviewer asked almost exclusively about C and C++ fundamentals, with little to no discussion of my projects or prior work. I don’t mind technical fundamentals, but I would have prepared differently if I had known that would be the focus. The mismatch between what was described and what actually happened left me feeling caught off guard. The video setup also made it difficult to see the interviewer clearly, which, combined with a somewhat disengaged demeanor, made the overall experience less constructive than I had hoped. Overall, I left feeling that the process could have been better aligned with the expectations set beforehand, which would have allowed me to showcase my skills more effectively.