TheCaptainCog's journey

I just had an unexpected experience during what I thought was a casual introductory interview for a position at a tech company. I was contacted two days ago by a recruiter who asked if I could meet for a get-to-know-you session. I assumed it would be a straightforward conversation about my background and the company. However, when I joined the call, I was surprised to see not just the recruiter, but also three senior team members, my potential boss, and a new hire. Within minutes, they started firing technical questions at me. I completely shut down because I wasn't prepared for this kind of interview. In a moment of panic, I pretended that I had applied for the wrong position to escape the situation. Now I'm left wondering how to handle such surprises in the future. I realize that I need to be better prepared for unexpected technical interviews, but I also feel like I could have communicated my surprise during the interview. It’s frustrating, and I’m looking for advice on how to navigate these situations better.