Approached by a headhunter, I was drawn into the interview process by my genuine interest in the company, despite not seeking new opportunities at the time. The early stages, including conversations with the recruiter, were encouraging and built up my anticipation for the role. The technical interview involved live coding with a junior Node developer, a format that, while common, doesn't always capture an individual's full range of skills. Despite completing the assignment and meeting the technical criteria, the lack of feedback post-interview left room for speculation on areas for improvement. This experience underscores a broader industry conversation about the efficacy of live coding assessments, especially for those who may not perform best in such environments. It highlights the need for companies to consider diverse evaluation methods, such as take-home assignments, which can provide a more comprehensive view of a candidate's capabilities. For prospective candidates, awareness of the company's rigorous selection process and the likelihood of live coding assessments is crucial. While my path with this company concluded earlier than anticipated, the process offered insights into the evolving nature of technical evaluations and the importance of advocating for assessment formats that align with one's strengths.