Dream Job Rejection at Anduril Sparks Lessons on Authenticity

UPDATE: In a remarkable twist of fate, Ibrahim Shah, a 22-year-old computer science student at the University of California, Irvine, has learned a valuable lesson after being rejected from his dream job at Anduril. The rejection, which Shah received on October 21, 2025, stemmed from feedback that he appeared “aloof and indifferent” during interviews.

Shah, who made it through two rounds of interviews for an early-career software engineering role, expressed deep disappointment. He shared in a viral post that he was overly focused on potential technical questions, which affected his demeanor. “I was anticipating really hard questions, and that’s pretty much all I was thinking about,” Shah told sources.

The feedback from recruiters highlighted a critical insight: the importance of authenticity in interviews. “It’s better to be nervous and authentic than to pretend like you have composure,” Shah reflected, emphasizing how nerves impacted his communicative tone.

Shah’s application journey began with a casual phone screen that went exceptionally well. He conveyed his passion for working at a company that partners with the US government to make a real impact. However, as the interviews progressed, anxiety took hold. “I tried to calm myself down, which led to me sounding aloof and uninterested,” he admitted.

Despite this setback, the incident has opened new doors for Shah. Following his viral Twitter post, which garnered significant attention with approximately 1 million views, he has received interview offers from other notable tech firms, including Perplexity and Thinking Machines. “It seems like everybody is trying to interview me now, which is amazing,” he stated.

This experience underscores a pivotal lesson for job seekers: authenticity can outweigh the quest for perceived composure. In his future interviews, Shah plans to compartmentalize his thoughts better, focusing on one aspect at a time.

In response to the widespread attention, Matt Grimm, co-founder of Anduril, acknowledged the feedback provided to Shah and emphasized the company’s commitment to understanding candidates beyond their technical skills.

Shah’s story serves as a reminder that vulnerability can be a strength in high-pressure situations. As he navigates the competitive tech landscape, his journey highlights the intricate balance between nerves and authenticity in job interviews.

What’s next for Shah? As he prepares for upcoming interviews, he carries forward the lessons learned from his experience at Anduril, aiming to strike the right balance of emotion and professionalism.

Stay tuned for further updates on Shah’s career journey and the responses from the tech industry following his impactful story.