Wondering Why You Failed Your MAANG+ Interview? Find Out Now!

#1 reason people get rejected in MAANG+ interviews.

Hey, Prasad here 👋 I'm the voice behind the weekly newsletter "Big Tech Careers."

Welcome to this week's article, in which I share the real reason people are not able to clear MAANG+ interviews.

If you like the article, click the ❤️ icon. That helps me know you enjoy reading my content.

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Were you rejected at a big tech interview? Even after you felt your interview went well.

You're not alone. Every year, thousands of talented professionals face rejection from MAANG+ companies (Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google, and other tech giants).

The frustrating part? Most of you have the required technical or respective functional domain skills to excel at these companies.

🔍 The Hidden Truth About MAANG+ Rejections

As someone who frequently conducts interviews at AWS, I've noticed that many candidates come to their interviews significantly underprepared.

Here's the kicker – I'm not talking about data structures, algorithms, system design, programming skills, cloud/devops skills, project management skills, or your functional domain expertise.

The real issue? Behavioral interviews.

The part most people dismiss as 'the easy stuff.'

Ask any experienced interviewer at MAANG+ why candidates fail their interviews.

Their #1 reason is consistent:

💡 Smart technical professionals who can't clearly articulate their past work. They ramble too much, miss the main points, and can't explain their decision-making process.

I see it all the time.

Most people have impressive resumes and experiences, but they struggle to communicate their impact effectively.

I took six weeks to prepare for my loop interview. Everyone I know who works at MAANG companies invested significant time in interview preparation.

This isn't a coincidence – it's a pattern of success.

If you want to clear MAANG+ interviews, TAKE TIME TO PREPARE!

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⚠️ Why Even Strong Technical Candidates Fail

Let's break down the common patterns that sink otherwise qualified candidates:

1. The "Wing It" Mentality

Many people think their technical expertise will carry them through.

They spend weeks preparing for technical and functional fit interviews but zero time preparing for behavioral questions.

Big mistake.

MAANG+ companies put equal (sometimes more) weight on behavioral assessments.

2. Scattered Storytelling

When asked about past experiences, candidates often:

• Ramble without structure

• Miss crucial details while including irrelevant ones

• Fail to highlight their specific contributions

• Cannot articulate the impact of their work

3. Leadership Blindspots

Technical excellence alone isn't enough. MAANG+ companies seek people who can:

• Drive initiatives beyond their immediate scope

• Handle conflicts professionally

• Influence without authority

• Make data-driven decisions

4. Interview Anxiety

Even seasoned professionals freeze up when facing MAANG+ interviewers. This leads to:

• Blanking on well-prepared stories

• Speaking too fast or too slow

• Missing important context

• Failing to build rapport with interviewers

🕰️ The Real Cost of Failed Interviews

Every failed MAANG+ interview costs you more than just time:

• Lost compensation (often $100K+ difference annually)

• Missed stock appreciation opportunities

• Career growth setbacks

• 6+ month cooling period before reapplying

• Damaged confidence

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💡 What Successful Candidates Do Differently

The candidates who consistently land MAANG+ offers share common preparation patterns:

1. Structured Story Bank 📖

They maintain a detailed collection of professional experiences, each crafted to demonstrate:

• Technical decision-making

• Leadership experiences

• Problem-solving approach

• Impact measurement

2. Strategic Response Framework 🎯

Successful candidates don't just answer questions – they strategically showcase their capabilities through:

• Clear STAR format delivery

• Quantified results

• Leadership indicators

• Technical depth balanced with behavioral excellence

3. Extensive Preparation 📅

They treat behavioral preparation with the same rigor as technical preparation:

• Practice with experienced interviewers

• Record and analyze their responses

• Study company-specific expectations

• Build interview stamina for 4-8 round marathons

🌟 What Top Performers Know

Have you noticed a pattern on LinkedIn? Candidates who've cracked one MAANG interview seem to move effortlessly between these companies.

You'll see professionals who spent two years at Google, three at Amazon, and are now thriving at Meta for the past year.

These candidates have excelled at the MAANG interview process, often multiplying their salaries 2-5 times along the way.

The secret? It's not as complex as you might think. It's about understanding what MAANG companies are looking for.

Successful MAANG+ candidates know that:

• Each experience story must demonstrate multiple competencies

• Company culture alignment is crucial and varies by organization

• Leadership qualities must shine through, regardless of position level

• Technical expertise needs to be communicated clearly and effectively

This isn't just luck or talent – it's a learned skill that anyone can excel at with proper preparation.

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🎯 The Path Forward

If you're serious about landing a MAANG+ role in 2025, you need more than technical skills. You need:

1. Frameworks that work in interviews

2. A systematic approach to preparation

3. Extensive practice with meaningful feedback

4. Expert guidance from those who've been on both sides

I share most of this for free in this newsletter - one article at a time. Subscribe and follow along.

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🔎 The Solution You've Been Looking For

If you are looking for a fast paced live interactive workshop to help you prepare for MAANG+ interviews, I created the "Big Tech Interview Preparation Workshop for Tech ICs and Leaders."

It's designed specifically for talented professionals who know they have what it takes but need the right framework to prove it.

In this workshop, I'll share my systematic approach to crafting compelling stories, delivering high-impact responses, and consistently impressing hiring managers across multiple rounds of interviews.

This knowledge comes from both my personal journey at AWS and helping hundreds of candidates succeed in big tech interviews.

🧠 What You'll Learn In The Workshop?

The workshop covers:

✅ How to deliver high-impact responses in STAR format

✅ How to craft compelling technical achievement stories

✅ How to effectively communicate leadership experiences

✅ How to blend technical depth with strong behavioral skills

✅ How to mentally prepare for four to eight rounds of interviews

✅ How to maintain authenticity while following structured frameworks

✅ How to project confidence through voice, body language, and pacing

✅ How to share lessons learned from past failure and conflict experiences

✅ How to craft and deliver senior level responses to get hired at the right level

🚫 What This Course Does NOT Cover?

This course is not:

❌ DSA (Data structure and algorithm) Interview preparation course

❌ System Design Interview preparation course

❌ Technical interview preparation course

❌ Product/Project management interview preparation course

I won't be diving into technical concepts here - you've already got those skills.

Instead, I’ll focus on helping you tell your professional story in a way that resonates with hiring managers and increases your chances of landing your desired role.

You'll learn how to effectively showcase your existing technical expertise, highlight your achievements, and articulate your leadership experiences during interviews.

🙋🏻‍♂️ Who is this workshop for?

📅 What is the Workshop Syllabus/Schedule?

🕰️ The Time to Act Is Now

MAANG+ companies are have started hiring again, but the competition is also high.

As I always say, "Take the time to prepare! Even PTO."

The candidates who land top jobs don't leave it to chance. They make a decision. They commit to getting that job.

And they go all in.

💸 How much does the workshop cost?

The course is priced at $1000 and it includes one free 1:1 mock interview for each participant.

Participants can schedule their 1:1 mock interview during the workshop or within 6 months after completion - either when they have a big tech interview scheduled or when they feel ready. 

✨ Are there any discounts available

Currently, there are two discounts available for the newsletters subscribers:

1. Early bird discount - Use the code “EARLYBIRD” to get 10% off:

2. Workshop excluding 1:1 mock interview - Use the code “ONLYWORKSHOP” to get 25% off:

Don't let another MAANG+ opportunity slip away. Take control of your interview preparation today.

Join the workshop today and take the first step toward your MAANG+ career.

Are you not sure if this workshop is right for you? Want to have a quick 15 mins 1:1 connect to clarify any doubts about the workshop?

Here is how to contact me.

• Send me an email on bigtechcareers@gmail.com

• Ping me on the substack app

• DM me on LinkedIn

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a proven framework and all the resources you need to crack MAANG+ interviews. But you’ll have to put in the required effort to be successful. If you feel I've not delivered on my promise, you'll be eligible for a full refund.

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