If you’ve ever crushed the technical part of an interview — passed all test cases, used an optimal algorithm — and still didn’t get the job, this post is for you.
This is especially common among experienced coders, competitive programmers, or those with a strong CS background. Ironically, the better you are at solving problems quickly, the more likely you are to fall into the trap of under-communicating.
The Common Mistake: Assuming Code Speaks for Itself
You solved it. It works. It’s optimal. What more could they want?
Turns out: a lot more.
Interviewers often follow up with:
“Why did you choose this solution?”
And many of us — myself included at one point — respond with something like:
“Because it’s faster.”
Technically true, but painfully vague.
In today’s interviews, that answer doesn’t cut it. You’re not just being evaluated on correctness. You’re being evaluated on clarity, maturity, and your ability to reason about your work.
Why Communication Is Part of the Game Now
Modern technical interviews aren’t just puzzles. They’re simulations of real-world collaboration.
You’re being tested for:
- How well you can explain trade-offs
- Whether you considered alternatives
- Your ability to communicate with teammates, PMs, and less technical stakeholders
This isn’t about English fluency — it’s about making your thinking visible.
If you can’t explain your approach clearly, it raises red flags:
- Do you deeply understand what you wrote?
- Can you work effectively on a team?
- Will others be able to maintain or build on your code?
“It’s Faster” Isn’t Enough — What They’re Really Looking For
Here’s a better answer:
“This approach runs in O(n) time and O(1) space, which improves on the brute-force O(n²) method. I chose two pointers because the input is sorted and we can avoid extra memory compared to using a hash map.”
Why this works:
- It demonstrates understanding of algorithmic complexity
- It references problem constraints
- It acknowledges alternatives and trade-offs
What Interviewers Are Really Evaluating
When interviewers ask “why,” they’re not just filling time. They’re assessing how you:
- Think under pressure
- Justify decisions
- Communicate technical ideas
- Collaborate with future teammates
They’re not expecting a monologue — just enough depth to feel confident you understand what you’re doing.
How to Get Better at This (Especially If You’re Already a Good Coder)
If you’re already solving problems well, the fix isn’t more Leetcode. It’s more practice explaining your solutions out loud.
That could mean:
- Talking to a rubber duck
- Recording yourself explaining the code
- Pair programming
Or, using tools designed to simulate live explanation — like Verve AI’s Coding Copilot, which prompts you to articulate your thinking as you code. It’s especially helpful if you freeze up when interviewers ask “Why this approach?”
Final Thought: Explaining Is Part of Engineering
If you’re a strong coder but struggling with interviews, don’t assume it’s your problem-solving skills. It might be your communication skills — and that’s fixable.
Practice explaining code. Show your thinking. Get comfortable narrating your decisions.
Because if you can’t explain it clearly, interviewers might assume you don’t fully understand it.
And in today’s job market, clarity is as valuable as correctness.