Solved all technical problems but no offer? Here is why!
If you’re preparing for a software engineering, AI, or data science onsite interviews and you’re treating the onsite or video round like just another coding challenge, you’re making a critical mistake.
Unlike online assessments (OAs) that focus purely on algorithmic problem-solving, real-person interviews evaluate three core competencies that reflect your ability to work in a real-world tech team:
- Technical Skills
- Problem Digging & Clarification
- Human Interaction & Communication
Let’s break down each of these three dimensions, why they matter, and how to train for them—so you can turn interviews into offers. And if you want 24/7 access to real industry mentors from FAANG and other top-tier tech companies, check out our Flash Chat service—an ultra-affordable way to get instant feedback at every step of your journey.
1. Technical Skills: The Minimum Bar You Can’t Miss
What it tests:
This is the most obvious and expected part of any tech interview. When the interviewer gives you a well-defined problem, they want to see how quickly, correctly, and cleanly you can solve it using the appropriate tools and techniques.
- Can you choose the right data structures?
- Can you analyze time and space complexity?
- Can you debug edge cases and optimize under pressure?
- Do you know your programming language inside-out?
Most entry-level job seekers focus only on this area, thinking if they ace the coding questions, they’ve nailed the interview. But that’s only one-third of the equation.
💡 Still, technical mastery is essential. If you fail here, no amount of soft skills or charm can save you.
How to Train for Technical Interview Questions
Practicing on LeetCode or HackerRank is a good start—but it’s not enough. You need real-time feedback, the pressure of live coding, and someone to spot your blind spots.
At Career Landing Group, our Instant Mock Interview service lets you:
- Choose your topic (e.g., trees, graphs, dynamic programming, system design, etc.)
- Solve problems live with a senior engineer from FAANG or other top-tier companies
- Get instant line-by-line feedback and improvement tips
You’ll leave every session with a clear idea of what to fix and how to move forward.
2. Problem Digging: Are You Solving the Right Problem?
What it tests:
In real jobs, you’re rarely handed clean, perfectly-scoped problems. Instead, your manager or PM gives you a vague requirement—and it’s your job to interpret, challenge, and refine it into something the engineering team can act on.
During interviews, this skill is tested more subtly: the interviewer may give you a question with hidden ambiguity or a built-in trap. Your ability to ask clarifying questions, validate assumptions, and align the task with business or product goals is what separates junior candidates from real professionals.
What interviewers look for:
- Do you just jump into code without asking questions?
- Do you clarify input/output expectations, edge cases, and goals?
- Can you think logically about what’s actually being asked?
- Do you notice when a “requirement” doesn’t make sense?
🧠 This simulates your real day-to-day work more than solving puzzles ever could.
Real-World Case Study: Problem Digging Trap
A candidate is given this prompt:
“Design a dashboard for sales metrics that updates in real-time and is personalized per sales rep.”
Many candidates immediately dive into UI layouts or WebSocket architecture. But a more senior candidate might ask:
- “How many users access this dashboard at once?”
- “How often do the metrics update from the backend?”
- “Is the personalization role-based, or user-specific?”
- “What’s the latency tolerance for ‘real-time’?”
That’s problem digging.
How to Practice Skills for Onsite Interviews
Inside our Instant Mock Interview platform, you can select “behavioral or ambiguous question” formats. These interviews are structured to test your discovery process—how well you analyze, refine, and validate vague problem statements before proposing a solution.
Often, our coaches (who are also hiring engineers) will intentionally drop a logic trap into the question. If you notice it and clarify, you earn major points. If not, they’ll show you where you slipped—and how to prevent it next time.
3. Human Interaction
What it tests:
Let’s say you’re technically brilliant and ask great questions. One more piece of the puzzle remains: do people enjoy working with you?
Every company hiring for a team role is asking:
- Does this candidate explain clearly and listen actively?
- Do they show respect and humility in conversation?
- Are they collaborative, or rigid and ego-driven?
Even if you ace the coding, poor communication or bad vibes during an interview can tank your offer.
Case Study: The Netflix Staff Engineer Rejection
A candidate made it to the final round with Netflix for a Staff Engineer position. They performed exceptionally well on technical questions and system design. But every interviewer ended their session with a behavioral question:
“How do you make design decisions on your team?”
And the candidate’s answer was always the same:
“I always make the final call by myself. My designs are better than others’. So I prefer to stick to my own plan.”
Outcome? Rejected.
Why? Not because of skill—but because of uncoachable ego and lack of collaboration.
🤝 Engineers work in teams. Companies are not just evaluating if you can code—they’re evaluating if you can co-exist.
How to Practice Human Interaction for Interviews
Mock interviews are the safest place to build communication fluency and confidence. In our Instant Mock Interview behavioral sessions, you’ll practice:
- Giving STAR-based answers to questions like “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate”
- Expressing opinions without arrogance
- Showing growth mindset and adaptability
- Navigating tough questions with diplomacy
And if you ever need real-time advice before or after a tough call, our 24/7 Flash Chat is open—so you never go into a live interview alone.
Summary Table: The 3 Dimensions of Onsite Interviews
| Dimension | What It Tests | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Skill | Coding, system design, problem-solving | Over-focus on puzzles, ignoring explanation and structure |
| Problem Digging | Clarification, logical reasoning, requirement analysis | Jumping into solutions without asking key questions |
| Human Interaction | Communication, empathy, collaboration | Sounding arrogant, unclear, or robotic |
Three Hidden Rules for Onsite Interviews
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The job market is more competitive than ever. Companies don’t just want good coders—they want strong teammates, adaptable thinkers, and collaborative professionals.
If you only focus on solving technical puzzles, you’re playing at 30% capacity.
You might make it through the first round. You might even get to the final. But to get the offer—you need to nail all three dimensions.
That’s why Career Landing Group offers targeted, expert-led support for each stage of the interview process. No generic advice. No overpriced platforms. Just real people with real experience, helping you win.
Ready to Level Up?
Here’s how to take action today:
✅ Get instant help from a real FAANG engineer → Flash Chat
✅ Practice your next interview round → Instant Mock Interview
✅ Fix your résumé before they even call you → Resume Critique & Craft
The offer you want is waiting. Train for the interview like it matters—because it does.