The sign of a good programmer is the one whose code can be refactored. There are, at least, two reasons for this: 1. The solution was apparent (in the code)

The sign of a good programmer is the one whose code can be refactored. There are, at least, two reasons for this: 1. The solution was apparent (in the code) and the code did what it said it did. 2. The code was "bad" enough to require a refactor or a better abstraction/generalization. To say this another way, the product requirements evolved and the code has different demands placed on it so the original design/code whilst good enough, merits replacement. Your job as a superstar is to take that code to the next level. This is what these interviews are all about and why we do them. You are not a disappointment btw... Politics are politics and if you are in a political env then leave... Engineering cultures exist and in those, the name of the game is to make the code work and hopefully make the code robust enough to reduce the amount of work you need to do in the future. And to allow others to build upon your work.