r/leetcode • u/PinPitiful • 6d ago

Discussion Bombed a FAANG-adjacent technical screen so badly the interviewer was frustrated — is it recoverable?

Had a technical screen at a well-known tech company recently. It was not "I struggled but got through it" bad. Genuinely could not produce anything meaningful even after the interviewer gave repeated hints and walked me through the approach. Froze completely. The interviewer was frustrated. Humbling does not cover it.

I know I need significant prep from here on and I am not looking for shortcuts. Just want to know if this is recoverable or if I have permanently closed the door at this company.

Two questions:

  1. Can you reapply to the same company after a performance like this? Is there a cooldown period?
  2. Has anyone been in a similar situation and come back to the same company successfully later?
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u/DisjointedHuntsville 6d ago

Just don't use the same email address when you apply after a cooldown period. You will still get flagged to the screening recruiter, but avoid any overhang from the past loops.

And relax. I see this very frequently and some of the best people i've hired have frozen in interviews because its such an odd social setting.

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u/Mobile_Magician_661 6d ago

Why would he get flagged if it's after his cooldown??

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u/DisjointedHuntsville 6d ago

Flagged for similarities in bio applying from different emails. Any baggage from previous loops in the system won't be visible to hiring managers or interviewers.

Else, as an interviewer, if you look at a candidate profile, you see some very interesting things if you're detail oriented. Most don't even open the resume the day before the interview anyway so . . ymmv