In the competitive landscape of the technology sector, Akshay Phadk has navigated his career with notable achievements and setbacks alike. Having transitioned from an internship at Ericsson into a full-time software engineering position in 2016, he further advanced his career by joining Microsoft in 2019. By 2021, he embraced the challenges of the startup world as a senior software engineer. However, Phadk's journey has not been devoid of hurdles. He has faced numerous rejections, even after reaching the final interview rounds at prestigious companies like Meta, Amazon, Yelp, and Dropbox.

Phadk, now at the age of 32, recounts his experiences candidly in a recent interview with Business Insider. Although he has secured positions at companies such as 23&Me and Wayfair, he has also encountered disappointment after extensive interview processes. In particular, during the rigorous selection process in 2019, he was not selected by several major tech firms despite making it through multiple rounds of interviews.

Upon reflection, Phadk admits that it is challenging to pinpoint the exact reasons for these rejections, as companies typically do not provide specific feedback. Often, they share only high-level informal notes, leaving candidates like him in the dark. However, he has gleaned some insights from his experiences and informal feedback he received from interviewers.

When it comes to his experience with Meta, Phadk felt that he performed well technically but acknowledged a potential misstep during the interview. He mentioned, "Their informal feedback was that I could have done a better job of demonstrating 'product sense' during the round where I was asked to design a feature for the Facebook platform. I needed to focus more on technical architecture, execution strategies, and key metrics for success and adoption."

Phadk described his experience interviewing with Amazon as somewhat disorganized. He applied for multiple positions and interacted with various tech recruiters, which contributed to the chaos. He noted that he did not perform as well as he had hoped in one of the coding rounds. In the case of Dropbox, he believes that his performance in one of the technical interviews fell short of expectations.

Through these experiences, Phadk has come to a valuable conclusion: rejection is an integral part of the interview process. He stated, "You learn a lot from rejections compared to wins, and they shouldn't discourage you or diminish your self-worth." This philosophy has been shaped by his extensive experience as both a candidate and a technical interviewer, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the hiring process.

Reflecting on his journey, Phadk shared three crucial interview strategies he wishes he had understood earlier:

1. Recognize that coding skills alone wont get you hired. Phadk emphasizes the importance of showcasing one's human side during interviews. "Your interviewers are your peers, and they are likely to become your teammates. They want to gauge what kind of person you are and whether they can envision working closely with you." He advises candidates to engage in conversation about their life outside of work.
2. Prioritize clear communication throughout the interview process. While clear communication is essential in behavioral interviews, Phadk stresses that it is equally critical during technical evaluations. He advises candidates to ask clarifying questions, verify assumptions, and discuss their thought processes while coding. This approach helps ensure that everyone involved remains on the same page.
3. View interviews as a two-way evaluation. Phadk underscores that interviews are not just a platform for employers to assess candidates but also an opportunity for candidates to evaluate whether the company aligns with their career goals. He encourages candidates to ask probing questions about the companys financial stability, product vision, workplace culture, and potential challenges.

Phadks mindset shift toward viewing interviews as conversations rather than interrogations has significantly lessened his anxiety and allowed him to present his best self. As a final note, he encourages job seekers not to shy away from asking tough questions during interviews, as the interviewers' responses can provide valuable insights into whether a position is worth pursuing.

If you have a story about securing a job at or experiencing rejection from a major tech firm, you can share your experiences with Jane Zhang at janezhang@businessinsider.com.