Getting a first job in the IT industry is already a big challenge for many fresh graduates in India. From preparing resumes and learning programming languages to attending multiple interviews, the process can be stressful. But one Indian fresher’s reported experience with a US-based company has caught the internet’s attention for a different reason. The candidate claimed that a technical interview lasted nearly 2.5 hours, during which the interviewer closely examined an AI-generated project and asked questions about technologies the candidate was not familiar with.
The experience reportedly left the job seeker so disappointed that they declared they would never apply for IT jobs again. The incident, shared on Reddit, has started a wider discussion about AI-assisted coding, technical interview expectations and the pressure faced by freshers entering the software industry.
Indian Fresher Shares His 2.5-Hour Interview Experience
The incident came to light through a Reddit post titled “Interviewer cooked me😭”. The candidate explained that they had applied to a US-based company and were excited about getting an interview opportunity.
However, the selection process reportedly turned into an exhausting experience. According to the post, the interviewer examined almost every line of code in the candidate’s project and asked several technical questions.
The fresher also claimed that some questions were related to technologies they had never heard of before. As the interview continued, the candidate reportedly became increasingly uncomfortable and felt overwhelmed by the questioning.
Describing the experience, the Reddit user said the interview lasted almost two and a half hours and admitted that they were close to crying during the conversation.
Interviewer Questions Project Built Using AI
One of the main points discussed in the Reddit post was the candidate’s use of a large language model (LLM) to develop the project.
AI tools such as ChatGPT and other coding assistants have become increasingly popular among students and developers. They can help generate code, explain programming concepts, identify errors and build basic applications.
However, using AI to create a project does not automatically mean that a candidate understands how the entire application works.
According to the fresher, the interviewer went through the project’s code line by line. This reportedly made it difficult for the candidate to answer some of the questions.
The incident highlights an important point for students and job seekers: AI can help build a project, but candidates should be able to explain the code they present during an interview.
For example, if someone develops a website using an AI tool, they should understand how its frontend and backend work, where the data is stored, how the application handles user requests and why certain technologies were selected.
Candidate Also Claims Interviewer Mocked Indian Websites
The fresher made another allegation that attracted attention online.
According to the Reddit post, the interviewer opened a few Indian websites during the discussion and reportedly made negative comments about their appearance and performance.
The candidate claimed that the interviewer criticised the websites for being slow and cheap-looking. The interviewer also allegedly questioned some technologies commonly used by Indian developers.
These claims have not been independently verified. However, they added another dimension to the discussion, with some users questioning whether the interviewer’s approach was professional.
Technical interviews are expected to test a candidate’s knowledge, problem-solving ability and understanding of software development. But there is also a difference between asking challenging questions and making a candidate feel uncomfortable through personal remarks.
Reddit Users Have Different Opinions About The Interview
The post received mixed reactions from Reddit users. While some sympathised with the fresher, others felt that the candidate should have been better prepared to explain their own project.
One user argued that if a candidate cannot explain the code they have submitted, they should not expect to get selected simply because they used AI to build it. The user also pointed out that freshers are expected to understand programming basics and defend the projects mentioned in their resumes.
Another user suggested that the interviewer might not have had genuine hiring intentions, although there was no way to know what the interviewer’s actual motive was. They encouraged the candidate not to give up and continue applying for opportunities.
Some users were also surprised by the interview duration, questioning why a fresher’s technical interview needed to continue for nearly two and a half hours.
Another Reddit user shared a similar experience of struggling during an online interview. They said the interviewers kept asking questions about projects, code and whether the candidate understood the work. The experience reportedly lasted around 1.5 hours and left the person feeling uncomfortable.
These reactions show how differently candidates experience technical interviews, especially when they are applying for their first job.
Why AI-Made Projects Can Become A Problem During Interviews
AI tools have changed the way students learn programming and build projects. A student can now use an AI assistant to create a basic website, develop a small application or generate code for a college project.
This can be useful when the candidate uses AI as a learning assistant. However, problems can arise when someone submits an AI-generated project without understanding how it works.
Interviewers may ask questions such as:
- Why did you choose this programming language?
- What does this particular function do?
- How does your application store and retrieve data?
- What happens if the user enters incorrect information?
- How would you fix an error in the project?
- Can you explain the project without looking at the code?
These are reasonable questions because companies want to understand whether candidates can work on real development tasks.
Freshers do not need to know every technology in the industry. But they should have a clear understanding of the projects they present and be honest about which parts were developed with AI assistance.
What Indian Freshers Can Learn From This Incident
For students preparing for IT interviews, this experience offers a few important lessons.
First, build fewer projects but understand them properly. A simple application that you can explain confidently may be more useful than a complicated project generated entirely through AI.
Second, use AI to learn rather than simply copy code. Ask the tool to explain each function, identify possible errors and suggest improvements. Try rebuilding important parts of the project without assistance.
Third, prepare for questions about programming fundamentals, databases, APIs and the technologies mentioned in your resume. Interviewers may focus on these areas even when the job description appears simple.
Finally, do not allow one difficult interview to decide your entire career. A rejection or uncomfortable experience does not mean that someone is not capable of becoming a good software developer.
One Difficult Interview Should Not End A Fresher’s IT Dreams
The Indian fresher’s reported 2.5-hour interview has once again highlighted the challenges faced by candidates entering the IT industry. While companies have every reason to check whether applicants understand their projects, interview processes should also remain professional and respectful.
At the same time, candidates need to understand that AI-generated code cannot replace technical knowledge. AI can make development faster, but the responsibility to understand, test and explain the final project still belongs to the developer.
The fresher’s statement, “I’ll never apply for IT jobs again,” reflects the frustration that can follow a disappointing interview. However, one difficult experience should not become the end of a career journey.
For thousands of Indian students hoping to enter the IT industry, the bigger lesson is simple: Use AI as a tool, understand what you build and never stop learning because of one rejection.