Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#1

Post by amatxn » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:19 PM UTC

I have been looking for a new position but lately I am paralyzed with fear over interviewing. I've been a generalist developer in small shops (wearing many hats) for 13 years and programming in many different languages.

Previously seeking a new job was not a problem, but now I am afraid to pursue positions past initial contact because I feel like I will completely fail due to lack of skills. I see people less qualified than me switching positions but I can't get out of the starting gate. Even turned down an in person interview in Austin because of this fear.

It seems that many HN jobs and other developer jobs test on CS fundamentals. I don't remember a lot of algorithms/data structures/discrete math/etc and/or use them much day to day beyond basic needs (list/array/hashmap) - my current job simply doesn't require advanced knowledge.

I'm currently reviewing CS fundamentals and practicing code challenges on code eval - which I enjoy because I like solving problems and learning.

I would like to pursue a new/challenging opportunity - is my fear unfounded or should I study more before interviewing?

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#2

Post by czbond » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:23 PM UTC

"Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear" - a quote that really applies here. I've seen quite a lot of developers who are good at talking, and being critical to show knowledge - but usually it's a psychological cover for feeling insecure. This is why some developers brag about knowing obscure things, for example. Anyways, my point is - that if you haven't used it in 13 years, it doesn't matter anyways - don't feel insecure. In addition, many of those coding questions are usually created by 'inexperienced developers' who don't know how to gauge talent, so they put together 'obscure, factual' questions.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#3

Post by CocaKoala » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:24 PM UTC

Are you terrified of actually going through the interviewing process, or are you terrified of getting rejected?

It seems like you feel that you're afraid of getting rejected, but if you're turning down in person interviews, that seems like you're worried about the interview itself and not what happens after.

It's important to clarify because they're two very different problems. Turning down offers to interview is silly; if you get rejected from the job, you haven't lost anything (because you don't have the job now anyways) and you get the experience of interviewing. Based on how it went, you can then start pinpointing where your weak points are and start trying to shore them up.

Don't be so concerned about nailing the first interview out of the gate; interviewing is a skill like any other, and it's okay to need some practice.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#4

Post by amatxn » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:33 PM UTC

CocaKoala wrote: post #3

Are you terrified of actually going through the interviewing process, or are you terrified of getting rejected? It seems like you feel that you're afraid of getting rejected, but if you're turning down in person interviews, that seems like you're worried about the interview itself and not what happens after. It's important to clarify because they're two very different problems. Turning down offers to interview is sil…

I believe it is a bit of both. I have a high expectation of myself and haven't really failed before - I've been offered the job after all but a few interviews in the past.

Then I decided I wanted to shoot higher and had phone screens at Amazon (1) and Google (2) - 2nd video interview. These rejections have skewed my view.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#5

Post by voorloopnul » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:36 PM UTC

My suggestion to you: get interviews in places where you don't want to work, or for jobs that you don't want to do. (of course you must keep at last in the field of interest)

This will ease your rejection fear, and train you to handle it.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#6

Post by amatxn » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:39 PM UTC

czbond wrote: post #2

"Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear" - a quote that really applies here. I've seen quite a lot of developers who are good at talking, and being critical to show knowledge - but usually it's a psychological cover for feeling insecure. This is why some developers brag about knowing obscure things, for example. Anyways, my point is - that if you haven't used it in 13 years, it doesn't matter anyways…

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I've met developers like that and was even asked a trick question over MySQL and stored procedures years ago.

I will continue to learn for the sake of learning which I've always done - not so much for interviews but to learn how to solve problems in different ways.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#7

Post by amatxn » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:40 PM UTC

voorloopnul wrote: post #5

My suggestion to you: get interviews in places where you don't want to work, or for jobs that you don't want to do. (of course you must keep at last in the field of interest) This will ease your rejection fear, and train you to handle it.

That is a great idea, it will also help me learn you to say 'no' if an offer is extended.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#8

Post by adamcw » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 5:47 PM UTC

amatxn wrote: post #6

czbond wrote: post #2

"Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear" - a quote that really applies here. I've seen quite a lot of developers who are good at talking, and being critical to show knowledge - but usually it's a psychological cover for feeling insecure. This is why some developers brag about knowing obscure things, for example. Anyways, my point is - that if you haven't used it in 13 years, it doesn't matter anyways…

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I've met developers like that and was even asked a trick question over MySQL and stored procedures years ago. I will continue to learn for the sake of learning which I've always done - not so much for interviews but to learn how to solve problems in different ways.

Also, in my personal experience, "I don't know" is a valid answer to those types of questions, as long as it is followed by an explanation of what your methodology would be to fill that gap.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#9

Post by dpweb » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 6:07 PM UTC

The only solution I've found for intense fear of something is to keep doing it over and over. For job interviews I've liked Larry David's concept of 'flipping it', start interviewing them for the right to hire you. Of course there a tactful way to do it, but getting myself into that mindset has helped with the nervousness.

Re: Ask HN: Afraid of interviewing

#10

Post by loumf » Tue, Apr 29, 2014, 6:38 PM UTC

I am a consultant that advises companies on tech interviewing. -- I have done 100's and 100's of tech interviews. I would be happy to mock interview you and give you feedback and advice. Contact in profile.

You are doing absolutely the right things to succeed at it -- you just need practice at doing it live.