- Rihab Radzimi left his role at Google to start FAANG, an AI recruiting platform.
- Radziimi went through dozens of interviews herself and met with 35 recruiters to find out what they were looking for.
- These are the five interview tips she recommends for job seekers.
This essay is based on a conversation with Rihab Lajmi, a 26-year-old living in Germany. Her work history has been verified by BI. It has been edited for length and clarity.
You may have heard FAANG used as an acronym for Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google, and that’s exactly where my company gets its name from.
FAANG jobs are highly sought after and signify success in the tech industry, so about 6 months ago I left my job as a Cloud Space Architect at Google to create an AI recruiting platform to help people land their dream job.
Our conversational AI recruiter, “Buddy”, conducts customized mock video interviews for job seekers based on the company's preferences, culture, and technical needs. Our vision is to scale “Buddy” to become every job seeker's partner in preparing for job interviews.
With this name, we aim to help individuals achieve their career goals, whether that be in FAANG or elsewhere. So far, we have interviewed over 35 recruiters to get a detailed understanding of what they are looking for.
Before joining Google, I worked at Microsoft and interviewed dozens of times at other companies, including Amazon. From my own experience and speaking directly with recruiters, here are the biggest lessons I've learned about how to succeed in an interview:
1. Request a Champion Call with the Hiring Manager
In many interview processes, the hiring manager doesn't show up until the final interview, as that person often has the final say. Practice early on to increase your visibility.
If a call with the recruiter isn't scheduled before your first interview, request one. This will break the ice and help the recruiter remember you later.
Keep the call casual and start by introducing yourself, then ask questions about the candidate and what they're looking for, which will help you get more information as you move forward in the interview process.
2. Start the interview with small talk
Starting with small talk can help the interviewer remember you later. You can start by asking them questions about the company, or if they seem open, try a less formal approach.
Many of the people I've worked with are from overseas, so I often start by asking them where they're from and then talk about their favorite food from that region.
Be sure to read the mood and avoid engaging in long-term small talk. Some interviewers enjoy small talk more than others, so be mindful of their verbal cues.
3. Keep it concise
Many people think of an interview as a test, but don't think of it that way. It's important to do your research and prepare for the interview, but it's important not to get too hung up on the details.
Talking too much will make the interviewer lose focus. The interviewer is also evaluating your communication skills, so being concise will help you get a higher rating and make a good impression.
4. Weave your personality into your answers
Companies want to get to know you as a person, so when possible, sprinkle behavioral questions with stories and examples that highlight aspects of your personality.
For example, if you're asked about a time you had to resolve a conflict, don't focus on the problem or the solution, but instead, try to focus on how you resolved the issue and how you communicated.
5. Not following up immediately after the interview
Don't contact the recruiter immediately after the interview or contact them more than once – they may take longer to make a decision, especially if it's a competitive role. Also, coming across as overeager could put you at a disadvantage in salary negotiations.
Do you work at Google? We'd love to hear from you! Email the reporter at his non-work email address: aaltchek@insider.com.
