The best interview experience in my career, and I've been to quite a few interviews.

After an email, I received a call for a phone screening. For some reason, I was expecting an HR person, but instead talked to the hiring manager. He asked just the right questions that painted an exact picture of my skill level – how much I know and where the limits of my knowledge and experience lie. In general, I'm a straightforward and honest person when it comes to interviews; I don't exaggerate my skills to present myself in a better light. But still, it was uncanny how he asked questions that would give an accurate idea of me as a developer and employee. Usually, you can cheat your way through an interview process, but not with Yahoo.

Then there was an onsite interview with four people and the hiring manager again, both before and after the others. This included an informal chat over coffee in the excellent Santa Monica Yahoo! Center.

Overall, a very challenging phone screening and a relaxed and friendly onsite experience.

Did you have a chance to hit the beach before the interview?