I had number two happen on an interview recently and I am incredibly happy the interviewer didn't hold it against me. I forgot an otherwise simple word/term, but the pressure of the interview just made my mind go completely blank. I think everyone has a tendency sometimes to forget what it's like to be on the other side, and will hammer on small mistakes, or not consider all the factors.
I'm sure I'm on somone's list of incompetent bozos for an interview that went like this: "Please, describe Python programming language." That's it. I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing, and the two fellows interviewing me would not elaborate.
I talked about what I had done with Python. Stony stares. Do
I talked about the nature of Python itself (interpreted, multi-paradigm, lexical/LEGB scope, the GIL). Stony stares.
I wrote some trivial programs on the board. Stony stares.
Had I brought an actual snake, I might have tried to charm it.
At the end, the CEO told me they weren't overwhelmingly sold on me, but would think about it. Never heard from them again.
