Selling Yourself

Question

I realize that this might be counted as subjective by some, and, as such, downvotes might ensue; I don't mind.

I would hope that some might actually provide links to references and detailed analysis. Anyway, on to the question.

I have an interview on Friday. I had one two weeks ago that went really well from a personal perspective, but I ultimately didn't get the job on experience. This approaching interview is more aligned with my experience and skill set, and yet I still worry that the experience monkey is firmly attached to my back.

I have a nice, mature set of codebases that I can show. I have examples in the wild that I can show, as well. But how do I sell my biggest asset—my ability to learn rapidly and effectively? Perhaps a better (more abstract) question is how do you convey the intangibles? How do I come across as anything other than an ambitious delusional when it comes to sharing what can't be represented (or proven) on paper?

Answer 1

I like to always stay positive. I use the mantra "No problems, only solutions." This usually promotes a perception of confidence and eagerness.

At least it has always worked for me, and I think it worked well.

Answer 2

Give a presentation!

Imagine that the interviewer is going to sit there and not say a word for the entire time. You should have a presentation about yourself to give him/her. Feel free to use the computer. Give a demo!

See Joel's comments at 43:24 in this transcript.

Spolsky writes: "What you need to do to prepare yourself against this contingency is say, "alright, if I have an hour with a person and the person just sits there and nods, what is the information I want to get across about why they should hire me? What are the things that I want that person to understand by the end of this interview and I don't want to leave the room without the person knowing that I've done these things, that I can do these things, that I'm good at those things, and maybe I'm not so good at those other things, maybe." You should have a plan of what you want to illustrate and why you're pretty good at it and maybe an explicit plan if there's something on your resume, if your grades are kinda low, but maybe not major, or if your grades were low freshman year but they got better after that and you want to explain that stuff, make sure that you know that when you go into that interview, "I need to get across to the interviewer in this hour these facts: this is why I got bad grades in freshman year;" or "I really love programming but I'm not so good at interpersonal skills;" or "I would really love a job where I could just hack all night long;" or "I've worked on this project and that project, or I built this thing." Make a list of those things that you want to make sure you get across. Practice with some friends and family. Call up your grandmother (I know she'd love to hear from you) and say, "Grandma, pretend you are a really bad interviewer. Just say, [high voice] 'So tell me about yourself,' [/high voice] and I'll do the rest." Just practice talking about yourself for an hour in a way which portrays yourself in a positive light and which highlights the accomplishments that you think will be relevant to that employer."

To be specific, you should be prepared to demo something you've written and explain it quickly, and be able to give a tour of a very detailed area that you worked on.

Example: I worked on a website called stackoverflow.com that's like a wikipedia dedicated to programmers. I implemented the "badges" feature which looks at certain metrics and then awards you badges. Some challenges were, how do we keep those metrics dynamic and not hardcoded in case the marketing monkeys wanted to add their own badges? Here's how we solved it and let me show how you can earn a badge!

Learn about their products and their company before you go! See if you can call and talk to a developer and ask him some questions beforehand. This is what a good sales person would do if they were selling to a company, and that is exactly what you are doing.

Answer 3

I watched this short youtube clip before an interview.

Some of the techniques are good even if you dont want to follow that. :) Stay and think Positive.

Good Luck!!

Answer 4

I like to have a story to tell about a really tough problem.

You should explain why it was difficult and then lay out all the problems with the obvious solutions. Also explain that you did not know the answer, but that only encouraged you to dig deeper. Then work them through the eventual solution emphasizing what new techniques or technologies you had to come up to speed on quickly.

Also, try to make it a story that doesn't require any deep technical knowledge or any domain knowledge on the part of the interviewer that you couldn't explain easily. Make sure it's a story you could make your mother understand.

Answer 5

A big part of the selling yourself game vis-a-vis intagibles is the way that you project yourself game. If you have heard of DailyWTF stories about consultants being able to have themselves hired for no apparent reason, it is because they leave an impression of confidence; they exude the aura of someone who seems to really, really know their craft, whether or not they do.

This is as opposed to a socially inept introvert who might be highly competent technically but lacks the skill to tell another human being that a.) they're great and b.) they know what they're talking about.

This is one of the reasons why I highly recommend participating actively in local User Group meetings and presenting topics on a regular basis. Being able to practice speaking in public will, in time, build one's confidence that will help them communicate better and at the same time give a better impression of expertise in one's subject matter.

Answer 6

Put together a two to three minute presentation of Some Complicated Technical Challenge you came across recently, and then showcase your Cool Solution. Exude enthusiasm. Be prepared to answer any number of questions and have it turn into a fifteen minute discussion.

I'm a visually oriented guy so I was keen to leap up to the whiteboard and explain things with pictures -- my interviewers really liked that.

That's what you can immediately. Beyond that, as has already been mentioned, get involved with local user groups, at the meetings and on the mailing lists. And stay positive.

Answer 7

You might like to have a read of the article on Being Sticky over at the excellent "Ask the Headhunter" site.

BTW He has a good newsletter that's definitely worth subscribing to.

cheers,

Rob

P.S. Good luck! Beers are on you when you get it? (-:

Answer 8

Instead of playing "I have more acronyms than you," trump up the special things. Special projects, a 5-minute presentation as suggested, all good and different.

Here's an article with more ideas and background as to why they are good ideas.