1 min lesson
Show you already use Cursor
Give the practical answer to "What is the single fastest way to fail the recruiter screen for this role and what replaces it?" Then name the detail that supports it.
Step 1 of 2
- Show you already use Cursor - name a feature you actually run (Tab, Agent, codebase context) and one concrete thing it changed for you. First-hand product passion is a known Cursor screening filter.
- Have a one-sentence point of view on why AI-native development is happening now, not a slogan.
- Be ready on logistics early: SF / in-office expectation, comp range and your timeline. Surfacing a comp mismatch late wastes everyone's loop.
Watch out
The fastest way to fail this screen is sounding like you're shopping every AI company at once. “I'm excited about AI and Cursor is a leader” is a red flag, not enthusiasm. The fix is specificity: a feature you use, a deal you'd run, a reason this mission is yours.
Interview move
Ask a question that proves you understand the motion: “How much of the pipeline is bottom-up - devs who already love Cursor - versus pure outbound and how does that change how I'd run a deal?” That signals you grasp the PLG (product-led growth) motion instead of treating this like cold enterprise selling.