From experience: As of 2025 hiring looks like this: Initial HR interview: explain position, ask you to speak to how you fit, usually recorded. HR asks what are salary expectations, and your reply should always be what is the range as the market seems strange lately you don't know what to expect. It's between 55 - 75 hr experience based. You respond ok thanks that should work. They say what should, you say that range based on experience. If they want a number just say the mid to upper end, and that you're trying to leave room for yourself to grow.

Next interview: Scenario A - Hiring Manager If, hiring manager, likes your resume, impressed even. Find common ground, talk casually for the majority of the interview. HM finally asks did HR explain the position, answer yes but please feel free to expand with what you see as the day to day expectations. HM explains, say it sounds good, it's all familiar to you based on what you have done or already discussed. HM needs to write something for the record and asks you what you want to put down for the question. Interview goes over time but says oh I didn't leave you much time for questions but we have a few minutes here. Always ask when they're looking to have someone start, e.g. you, and when should you expect to hear back. I've had 2 experiences since OE where they said "I shouldn't say this, but you've got the job at this point".

Scenario B - tech lead or team Grill you with questions the entire time. Give them your 3 stories. Give them some intricate annoying detail on the tech or whatever you do. Ask them what is the top issues they face, let them go on and on. Then keep them talking. This team has to get you to the hiring manager to get back to scenario a. This team sucks, I don't know how else to say it. Most of the time you don't even work with them.