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Interview Tips & Stories

1mo

boredinlife

works at

Mercer

I left in the middle of an interview.

M a self-taught developer. been working really hard, trying to break into tech. Two days ago, I got approached by an hr from this e learning company for an IT role. I was super nervous but also excited because it felt like maybe this is it. The interview was on teams with 9 experienced pros all with degrees and certifications while I had no formal IT background, just self-taught skills. I felt completely out of place. Most of the interviewers were kind and said I could learn on the job. But one person kept throwing back-to-back questions with shady comments after every answer made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. It crushed my confidence About 10 minutes before the interview ended, I panicked. Anxiety took over, so I faked a network issue and left the call. Then I just broke down. I didn’t want to be disrespectful, so I quickly emailed saying I got disconnected. Truth is, I was overwhelmed and felt like a total fraud. I’ve wanted a job in tech for so long.

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awesomesnail

1mo

works at

Flipkart

I’m so sorry. honestly that’s kind of overwhelming to have 9 people interviewing you! Every interview gives you experience so just take what you can from this and apply it to the next one. Good luck!

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[awesomesnail](username) tq so much

timepasstiwari

1mo

A Digital Markter

Interviews work both ways. It's not just them seeing if they like you. It's also you seeing if you like them. In this case, they failed. Not you.

cigerrateaddict

1mo

works at

Ernst & Young

[timepasstiwari](username) This is so true. honestly, I think it’s also OK to be direct in these situations. Instead of disconnecting, it may have felt more empowering for author to say something about why they were disconnecting. Something short and to-the-point, “Based on the job description, I’d love the opportunity to share my skills with this team, but based on some aspects of the conversation we’ve had today, I don’t think it would be a great fit for me.”

View 4 more replies

helpfulcrab

works at

Secret Technologies India

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a fullstack developer lead

1mo

Buddy, it's alright to feel like you don't belong, many of us in IT even after years of experience feel the same. I relate with your story because I am an electrical engineer and self taught developer with 5.5 years of experience in the industry now. I earn really good and still feel like I don't belong sometimes. But trust me, fk them who try to demean you, I cried after my first interview as well. I took it personally when i couldn't answer one question. Always take such incidents as learnings, make sure you will be able to answer that same question next time and keep learning. We self taught devs are in this industry because we like this and not just for a job or money. Stay strong, sending lots of virtual good vibes your way. 🙂

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[a fullstack developer lead](username) I don’t even know what to say reading this has made me way too emotional Like… you literally described exactly what I’ve been going through. I’ve been doubting myself so much lately, feeling like a total fraud just because I didn’t come through the “traditional” route. No degree, no formal background… just me, my laptop, and the late night hustle of learning stuff because I genuinely love it. thanks again I really needed it

a content writer

1mo

Nine peepee interviewing you? Call me paranoid but that's a huge red flag.

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[a content writer](username) honestly it was incredibly overwhelming, it looked like an interrogation rather than conversation

splendidpakora

1mo

A Marketing Manager

I was thinking they were doing a good/cop bad cop situation to see how you react to stress. You need to work on that a little.

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[splendidpakora](username) could be u do have a point I definitely need to work on that a little.

a software engineer

1mo

9 people interviewing you is crazy. You dodged a bullet

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[a software engineer](username) tq for understanding😢

a senior executive

1mo

Massive respect for doing this in the middle of the interview!. But this is the real test, and you have to start dealing with it. Because switching yourself to IT without a background, you need to be grilled too.

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[a senior executive](username) I actually expected tough questions, I really did. I know I have to earn my spot. what felt different, and what truly crushed me, was the way it was done. It wasn't just tough it felt... well, almost personal with that one person, and having nine people staring at you just amplifies everything.

greatflamingo

1mo

works at

Inyantra Technologies

Such incidents make you more tough and skillful. Just take whatever you want from this 👍

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[greatflamingo](username) Thanks, seriously.

handsomegun

1mo

works at

Infosys

9 people for an interview in an IT company! This looks shady. I think you might have just saved yourself. 😉

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[madhusudhan1](username) I hope so

funorangutan

1mo

currently not working

It is not over, you still got a way to go... just don't let failure stop you... Try Try Try..... All The Best.....

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[funorangutan](username) tq so much for ur kind words I do get demotivated at times but yes will try

totallytoast

1mo

works at

Ford Motor

I can relate to the pressure & anxiety, my first few interviews were like that . Impostor syndrome was kicking in all the time , for my first 5 interviews & coding assessments. Honestly, you shouldn't worry about being from a non IT background , in some sense CSE students like me are largely self taught . I heavily rely on open source for learning ex: documentation, youtube, gfg etc . Maybe try a few mock interviews to build up confidence. I'm not the best person to cheer you up . just talking to recruiters sometimes gives me anxiety 💀. I get over it quickly though 😌

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[totallytoast](username) firstly, tq so much it takes a lot of courage to openly sharing your own anxiety about recruiters and interviews that made me believe m not the only one thanks for chiming in with such a relatable perspective. I will try to give my best

greatking

1mo

A Team Lead

once had a panel interview of 6 people for an apprenticeship in an industry I had never done. my voice cracked whenever I would answer a question. I could feel my face turning red as a cherry and I started sweating. about half way through I just kind of gave up. I looked like a fool

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[greatking](username) I can totally imagine how awful that must have felt.

toobluntforu

1mo

works at

Cvent

There are going to be a lot more opportunities. Just stick with the interviews fully and while some people can be obnoxious the interview also works the other way around you know that team wont work for you.

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[toobluntforu](username) tq so much will try my best this time

kaamsekaam

1mo

works at

Dabur

Don't worry there will be another chance for you. just make sure to develop and improve yourself. maybe reflect on the questions that they asked?

boredinlife

author

1mo

works at

Mercer

[kaamsekaam](username) yes thats the first thing i did after i calmed down, i looked up every question i was asked and signed up for an IT support course on udemy. hopefully next time i’ll do better

kaamsekaam

1mo

works at

Dabur

[boredinlife](username) This is the IT way. u sound like a natural! If you don’t know something, find out