This first-person essay originates from a conversation with Ibrahim Shah, a 22-year-old computer science student at the University of California, Irvine. The narrative has been refined for conciseness and clarity. A representative from Anduril later referred Business Insider to a public response shared on social media by the company’s cofounder, Matt Grimm.
From the start, Ibrahim’s defining aspiration has been to create his own company—an ambition shaped by observing visionary entrepreneurs such as Palmer Luckey, who famously sold Oculus at the young age of twenty-one. To Ibrahim, that story represented both inspiration and a tangible benchmark of what was possible. He wanted to immerse himself in a professional environment where the founders were not merely successful, but extraordinarily capable—people who combined technical mastery with daring personalities, those who approached challenges with confidence and a readiness to take unconventional risks.
In his mind, securing a position at a company like Anduril served as both validation and preparation. Acceptance there would affirm his intellectual aptitude and situate him within a culture that celebrates innovation, bold experimentation, and calculated risk-taking—qualities that he believed would be essential when he eventually set out on his own entrepreneurial journey.
With this vision guiding him, Ibrahim applied for an early-career software engineering role at Anduril. The recruitment process began with a phone screening, followed by a formal interview composed of two primary sections: a behavioral segment aimed at evaluating interpersonal and situational judgment, and a technical portion designed to test his coding proficiency and problem-solving ability.
His initial phone conversation unfolded smoothly. The interaction felt informal and relaxed, and Ibrahim described it as an affirming experience. When asked why he sought a position at Anduril, he instinctively emphasized his desire to work at a company committed to meaningful impact—an organization whose innovations directly contribute to the safety and defense of the United States and its allies, and, in essence, help save lives. It was a mission-driven response that reflected his sincere motivation beyond financial gain.
The excitement carried into the next phase, as he prepared for the first-round technical interview. His confidence stemmed from extensive preparation; for several weeks, he had rigorously practiced, methodically reviewing nearly eighty coding challenges encompassing algorithms, data structures, and logic-based questions. Despite that groundwork, however, he entered the session acutely aware of Anduril’s reputation for difficult technical assessments. The interviewer, by contrast, maintained a calm and composed demeanor throughout, which only heightened Ibrahim’s internal sense of tension.
As the interview progressed, Ibrahim found himself fixated on anticipating the demanding technical problems he expected to encounter. In attempting to manage his nerves, he subconsciously overcorrected—adopting a measured, detached tone meant to project self-assurance. Yet ironically, that restraint diluted the energy and enthusiasm that had characterized his earlier conversation with the recruiter. His voice came across as subdued, his expressions restrained, and, to an observer, that composure read as a lack of engagement.
He later reflected that in the earlier phase, his excitement had been palpable—his tone bright, his demeanor personable, and his passion unmistakable. During the technical round, however, preoccupation with potential challenges muted his natural warmth. The conscious effort to remain composed distorted his authenticity. Anyone who has ever confronted a high-stakes professional setting can relate: when faced with an opportunity promising life-changing potential—something capable of transforming not just one’s career, but the trajectory of an entire family—anxiety inevitably creeps in. The knowledge that success might hinge upon the precision of one’s performance in a single coding exercise amplifies the emotional pressure.
Following that conversation, Ibrahim received feedback that revealed the recruiter’s disappointment. The recruiter had apparently believed strongly in his candidacy, which made reading the message even more affecting. What stood out most, however, was the personal tone of the response. Rather than a generic rejection, the recruiter had taken the time to offer thoughtful, constructive feedback. Ibrahim’s immediate reaction was twofold. First, he felt genuine appreciation that someone within such a famously competitive company had invested effort into guiding his professional growth. Second, he felt a surge of regret—recognizing how close he had been to achieving a dream opportunity and how his own attempt at controlling his nervousness had paradoxically undermined his presentation.
That realization struck deeply. His primary lesson from the experience was that authenticity—even when tinged with nervous energy—is more powerful and persuasive than an artificial calm. Trying to simulate serenity can flatten one’s true emotions and obscure genuine enthusiasm, precisely the qualities that convey sincerity and drive to an interviewer.
Looking forward, Ibrahim resolved to refine his mindset for future interviews. Rather than allow anxiety about upcoming sections to dominate his thoughts, he planned to mentally compartmentalize each stage: focusing only on the moment at hand. When the technical component arrived, he could switch into a more analytical, detached mode, but during the behavioral portion, he would let his natural personality—animated, passionate, and engaged—shine through without reservation. He recognized that success in communication often depends less on perfection and more on connection.
After the experience, Ibrahim shared his reflections in an online post, assuming it would quietly attract a few responses from colleagues and friends in the technology community. To his surprise, the post resonated widely, rapidly gaining attention across professional networks. What began as a modest self-reflection transformed into a story of vulnerability and authenticity that captured the interest of numerous readers.
The widespread outreach brought unexpected new opportunities. Several innovative technology companies reached out to initiate conversations, including Perplexity and Thinking Machines, both of which began interviewing him for potential roles. A wide array of defense-oriented startups also expressed interest. What had initially felt like a painful setback evolved into a moment of professional rediscovery—a vivid example of how transparency and self-awareness can turn disappointment into momentum.
Ultimately, for Ibrahim, what began as an experience of loss culminated in a powerful affirmation: that honesty, even at one’s most uncertain moments, can open doors that composure alone might keep closed.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/student-rejected-anduril-job-interview-learnings-2025-10
