[blackmesaind]

That "one weird trick" is probably 60-70% of why you would pass an interview. If you've gotten to an interview, they already believe you have the technical qualifications. The technical / white board interview is just due diligence. Having social skills requisite to make the interviewers like you is very literally the only thing they don't know about you, which is what they're testing for.

The hiring requirements for FAANG / MAGMA / F100 companies are higher than those for non-FAANG. Maybe smarter isn't the best term, knowledgeable or competent would work better. His point still stands though.