What do companies look in a candidate during an interview?

Analytical Skills

• Did you need much help solving the problem?
• How optimal was the solution?
• How long did it take you to arrive at the solution?
• If you had to design / architect a new solution, will you structure the problem well and think through different tradeoffs at different decisions?

Coding Skills

• Were you able to successfully translate your algorithm to resonable code?
• Was it clean and well organized?
• Did you think about potential errors?
• Did you use good style?

Technical Knowledge / CS Fundamentals

• Strong foundation in CS and related technologies

Experience

• Have you made good technical details in the past?
• Have you built interesting, challenging projects?
• Have you shown drive, initiative?

Culture Fit / Communication Skills

• Does your personality and values fit with the company and team?
• Did you communicate well with the interviewer?

Company Principles

• How well you know the company principles?

Other than above skills, companies look for problem solving ability. False negatives (good candidates doing bad in an interview) are acceptable for companies rather than false positives (bad candidate doing good in an interview by chance)