How to Prepare for a Mock Interview With an Ex-FAANG Interviewer

A mock interview session is only as valuable as the preparation you put into it. Here's how to get the most out of your session with an ex-FAANG interviewer before your real interview happens.

Research Your Interviewer's Background

Check your interviewer's profile before the session — which company, which team, which round type they specialize in. A session with someone who conducted system design interviews at Amazon will look very different from one with a behavioral specialist at Google.

Pick the Right Round Type

Don't book a generic session if you know exactly which round you're prepping for. Choose technical, system design, behavioral, or case/product sense specifically — it lets your interviewer tailor the difficulty and format to match what you'll actually face.

Treat It Like the Real Thing

Dress and set up as you would for the actual interview, and resist the urge to pause or restart. The value of a mock interview comes from simulating real pressure — that's what surfaces the habits you need to fix before it counts.

Structure Your STAR Answers in Advance

For behavioral rounds, walk in with 4-5 stories mapped to Situation, Task, Action, Result. Don't script them word for word — know the shape of each story well enough to adapt it to whatever question comes up.

Review Your Scorecard Without Ego

Every session ends with structured, written feedback. The temptation is to explain away weak points — resist it. The scorecard exists to catch what you can't see about your own performance, and that's exactly what makes the next session better.