First thing to do is to understand the 3 Key points of an interview. Almost all questions break down to 3 questions. For the pedantic I know you can come up w

First thing to do is to understand the 3 Key points of an interview. Almost all questions break down to 3 questions. For the pedantic I know you can come up with a corner case, but this is still a valid rule. 1) Can you do the job? 2) Do you fit in? 3) Will you do the job? So let us address each of these, although they all sound VERY obvious. CAN YOU DO THE JOB: This is mostly answered by your resume. If they did not feel you could do the job they would never have had the interview. BUT during the interview they do VALIDATE your resume claims. Or at least they try to. All of the extensive white boarding and testing is just because (or should be because) they are not sure your claims are valid. If this is not the case, then they are not being intellectually honest and are just grandstanding. But, per your claims this is probably not the issue. DO YOU FIT IN: This is about communication. How well do you express yourself, how well do you communicate ideas. I like to ask a question I know the person cannot answer, but they think they should be able to answer. I usually build up to it with ones they definitely should know. I do not remember the answer. A real jerk I am. The objective is to have the person admit they do not know. I would rather hear you do not know something than feed me BS that will waste a lot of resources. I do not need a 'Know it all' that does not know anything. If a person provides an answer I write it down word for word. Then I go look it up. Like I said I can never remember the answer. Final note on this point, the more the interviewer talks the better they think you are at communicating ... (this applies to dating too) WILL YOU DO THE JOB: (an entire book could be written on this one point) This seems like the most obvious, 'You pay me I work!' how much simpler could it be.... BUT: When crunch time comes are you willing to put in the extra work? If a competitor offers you 1% raise are you out the door? Is this JOB / COMPANY / INDUSTRY your passion? Coat and tie? Show up early? Well groomed? Send a thank you note? Bonus points if you answer the unanswered question from 'Do you fit in'. Include commentary about the interview. Make the note brief, but have key points. Did you research the company? Are you ready to work now! Do you know where your desk will be? If not, why did you not ask? Only excuse for not finding this information is you really do not want the job. You must bring a list of questions to ask them. Be sure to have a separate list that are HR related. Asking your future boss about vacation time means you are just there for a pay check not the passion. I need coffee so I will leave it with that.