Stay in the driver's seat while the AI does the typing.

The trap · The AI answers instantly with complete-looking code, so it's easy to realize you never formed a plan, deep into the interview.

The fix · Learn to decompose problems, sequence the work, and decide the approach before you ever open the AI chat. The AI implements your design, not its own.

“I'm going to fix the parser bug, add the search feature with BFS, then optimize with a priority queue.”

The trap · Accepting the AI's abstractions feels like momentum, but interviewers watch exactly who makes the architectural calls.

The fix · Direct the AI like a very fast, occasionally wrong pair. Give it a clear what-and-how; keep every design decision with you.

“Implement BFS on the Grid class returning coordinates, using the existing getNeighbors method.”

The trap · AI introduces bugs, wrong assumptions, and code that looks right but subtly isn't. Accepting it is a red flag, even when it works.

The fix · Run code after every generation, read the output as it lands, and use tests as the target you hand the model.

“That compiles and passes the suite, now I'm moving to the optimization phase.”

The trap · Two conversations at once, AI and interviewer, and the silence trap pulls you in under pressure.

The fix · Narrate intent before prompting, review output out loud, and use AI wait time to show your reasoning.

“I think this fails because the empty-input case isn't handled, let me also ask the AI.”