Interview Strategy
How SaaS Interviews Are Changing in 2026
AI is disrupting both sides of the interview table. Here's what's actually working right now—from the reverse interview technique to why DSA is just the bouncer.
The 2026 Reality Check
“SaaS companies lay off 100,000+ workers in 2026... hiring slows down... laid off workers can't find jobs...”
— Greg Isenberg, @gregisenberg (3,060 likes)
This isn't doom-scrolling—it's context. When competition for SaaS roles intensifies, the candidates who understand how interviews are actually changing are the ones who land offers.
Based on what's being discussed on X, Reddit, and industry blogs right now, here are the techniques that are working in 2026.
1. The Reverse Interview Technique
“The hack is to interview them as they interview you.”
— @BukkyOA on X (6,199 likes, 911 reposts)
This was the highest-engagement interview advice we found. The idea: don't just answer questions—ask them. It signals confidence, due diligence, and genuine interest. Here are the specific questions that are resonating:
“Why is this role open?”
Did someone leave? Is the team growing? Was someone let go? The answer reveals a lot about team dynamics and expectations.
“What happened to the last person in this role?”
Promoted? Fired? Burned out? This question cuts through the job description to reveal the role's real trajectory.
“What does great performance look like here?”
Forces the interviewer to articulate success metrics. If they can't answer clearly, that's a red flag about role clarity.
“How has AI changed how this team works?”
Shows you're thinking about the future. Also reveals whether the company is actually adopting AI or just talking about it.
Pro tip from @zanehengsperger (504 likes): Prepare these questions before the interview. “You'd be shocked how little people do this. Ask very specific things about the company.”
2. DSA Is Just the Bouncer Now
If you're in a technical SaaS role, the interview landscape has shifted dramatically.
“I see too many tech candidates making the same fatal mistake this year. They spend 6 months grinding 500+ LeetCode problems... And they still get rejected. Why? Because in 2026, DSA is just the bouncer.”
— @ujjwalscript on X (462 likes)
Multiple sources confirm this shift. Here's what's actually being tested:
| Before 2026 | Now in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Solve fresh LeetCode puzzles | Debug existing code, extend partial solutions |
| Standard DSA questions | Hard-medium hybrid + system design |
| Write code from scratch | Read, understand, and modify existing code |
| Algorithm optimization | System behavior and engineering judgment |
| No AI discussion | AI orchestration, prompt evaluation, AI literacy |
The logic is simple: when AI can autocomplete baseline coding tasks, companies look for signals that can't be autocompleted—judgment, system thinking, and the ability to work with AI tools.
3. Depth Beats Breadth
“When I spoke with my interviewer after getting selected, one thing became very clear. They probably asked the same questions to every candidate. What really matters is how deeply you understand the concepts.”
— @OjasSharma276 on X
Surface-level answers don't differentiate you anymore. Here's the technique for going deep:
Surface answer:
“I'm a hard worker and I learn quickly.”
Deep answer:
“I can help your team improve [specific area] by [specific skill], which will lead to [measurable outcome].”
The formula: Specific area + Specific skill + Measurable outcome. This shows you've thought about the role, not just your qualifications.
4. Expect AI on the Other Side of the Table
AI isn't just something you're expected to know—it's now conducting the early stages of many SaaS hiring processes.
AI Resume Screening
Automated ATS systems now use AI to rank and filter candidates before a human sees your resume.
AI Chatbot Pre-Qualification
24/7 chatbots ask screening questions and schedule interviews automatically.
AI Voice Interviews
Some companies are testing AI agents that conduct actual voice screening calls. One Reddit thread in r/SaaS discussed this exact tool being built.
What this means for you: Your resume needs to be optimized for AI parsing. Generic applications get filtered out before a human ever sees them.
5. Work Samples Over CVs
The trend is clear: SaaS companies want to see what you can do, not just what you claim.
Common 2026 Assessment Types:
For Sales Roles
- Short role play scenarios
- Sample discovery call
- Write a cold email
- Handle an objection live
For Technical Roles
- Debug a broken code path
- Extend a partial solution
- Review logs and diagnose failures
- System design with AI integration
The assessment often includes a take-home case study followed by a presentation to the team. Prepare for this format—it's becoming standard.
The 5 Questions Every SaaS Candidate Must Nail
According to recent recruiter conversations shared on X (@iam_Uchenna, @Simon_Ingari), these are the questions coming up consistently in 2026:
1. “Tell me about yourself”
Keep it to 2 minutes. Focus on: current role, key achievements, why this role.
2. “Walk me through your CV”
Not a chronological recitation. Highlight transitions, growth, and relevance to this role.
3. “Why should we hire you?”
Use the formula: “I can help your team improve [X] by [Y], which will lead to [Z].”
4. “What's your biggest weakness?”
Name a real weakness + what you're doing about it. Clichés like “I work too hard” don't land.
5. “Do you have any questions for us?”
This is where the reverse interview technique shines. Never say “no.”
Get Past the AI Screeners First
Before you can use these interview techniques, you need to land the interview. Landera optimizes your resume for AI-powered ATS systems—so you actually get to the human round.