Interviews are designed to evaluate you on two things - Core competency and Culture Fit and to be honest, both are equally important. Core competency is what most of us prepare for, but what about the other?

A couple of coding tests and system design rounds are enough to test the skills. However, evaluating cultural fit is ambiguous and subjective. When I interview someone, I look for the following three things

1. enthusiasm for the role,
2. how pleasant it will be to work with with him/her, and,
3. attitude and behavior under a pressure situation

The above pointers hold for more companies and interviewers, but the list is not exhaustive by any means. To demonstrate that you are a culture fit for any company, I would highly recommend you to

1. research the company, role, and team, well
2. listen before you speak
3. never interrupt the interviewer
4. disagree, but with respect and humility
5. emphasize collaboration and demonstrate genuine curiosity
6. acknowledge that your past achievements were the team’s success
7. show enthusiasm for the company’s mission and goals.

Remember, for any pointer you put forth, back it with some situation or incident from your experience; keep it short and crisp. The most important gesture, end the interview by thanking the interviewer for his/her time. It might just tip the scale in your favor.

No matter if you are an exceptional engineer, if you cannot be a team player, the company would be happy to part ways with you. Nobody wants to work with a genius jerk.