Young Applicant Shares Lessons After Rejection from Anduril

Ibrahim Shah, a 22-year-old computer science student at the University of California, Irvine, recently faced rejection from his dream job at Anduril Industries, a defense technology company. Despite progressing through two rounds of interviews, he was informed by a recruiter that he came across as “aloof and indifferent to the role.”

Shah’s journey began with high hopes of joining a company founded by technically gifted individuals with bold aspirations, such as Palmer Luckey, who sold Oculus at just 21 years old. He aimed for an early-career software engineering position to immerse himself in a culture that rewards innovation and risk-taking, which he believes is essential for his future as an entrepreneur.

After a successful initial phone screen, where he expressed his desire to work at a company that has a tangible impact on national security, Shah prepared extensively for the technical interview. He studied over 80 coding questions, feeling confident going into the assessment. However, during the interview, his focus on the challenging technical questions led him to unintentionally project an air of indifference.

“I was anticipating these technical questions that are notoriously difficult at Anduril,” Shah explained in a conversation with Business Insider. His nervousness manifested in a tone that was less emotive than usual, resulting in feedback that he seemed aloof.

Shah acknowledged, “I recognize I sounded this way, but I was just nervous about the technical aspect.” His disappointment was compounded by the realization that he had potentially forfeited a life-changing opportunity based on how he presented himself during the behavioral portion of the interview.

A significant takeaway from his experience is the importance of authenticity. “It’s better to be nervous and authentic than to pretend like you have composure,” Shah stated. He plans to compartmentalize his thoughts during future interviews, allowing him to focus on the emotional aspects first before transitioning to technical assessments.

Following his candid post about the rejection, which garnered significant attention on social media, Shah received a wave of interest from other tech companies. “It seems like everybody is trying to interview me now, which is amazing,” he noted. Companies like Perplexity and Thinking Machines have reached out for interviews, showcasing the unexpected positive outcomes from his experience.

Anduril’s co-founder, Matt Grimm, acknowledged the public reaction to Shah’s post and expressed appreciation for the constructive feedback provided by their recruitment team. This situation has sparked a wider conversation about the often-overlooked importance of emotional intelligence and authenticity in the hiring process, particularly in high-stakes environments.

In navigating the complexities of job interviews, Shah’s story serves as a reminder that nerves are a natural part of the process. Ultimately, he hopes to leverage his experiences to build a successful career, learning from setbacks along the way.