For the first decade of my career, I crash learned frameworks and tools, bullshitted my way through the interviews, became an expert on the job… Then used that expertise as a platform to bullshit my way into the next level. Rise and repeat, and here I am.
True, I learn very, very fast. And I'm obsessively curious. But I also game the interview system…
In the screening call, I ask about the tech stack, specific pain points the team may have, anything I can use in the next interview to better position myself. Then I crash study every tool and framework they use that I don't already have mastered. I also look up solutions to organizational pain points, and mention possible solutions ("you may have already tried this…") to demonstrate leadership thinking.
^ FWIW, experienced tech interviewers will recognize that I'm doing this, but it is counted as a POSITIVE attribute: proactive problem-solving.
I only take 1 interview per day. This is probably an autistic coping mechanism, because anxiety, but I find that it is also an advantage: I put all my energy into each interview and do my absolute best. In fact, I've cancelled interviews because my gut was telling me I wouldn't rock it, so don't waste the effort.
"Attitude matters more than aptitude." I know Google doesn't agree with me. But in problem-solving, whether it's programming or camping, I've always found that quote true. It's the person who loses their head who dies in the woods.
And so when I'm interviewing, I ask questions about how folx handle frustrating problem solving conundrums. I don't really care how pretty the code is, I can teach that. I don't care about sophisticated abstraction, I can teach that (but probably won't bother, it's overrated). I taught one of my closest friends to play keyboard in my band because all the other musicians in my circle were assholes.