To be honest, most of the interviews I've had so far have been quite pleasant. The challenges I faced were primarily due to gaps in my knowledge, and my interviewers were generally very kind. However, one experience stands out vividly in my memory: about two years ago, I attended a tech job fair. At such events, the selection of candidates often boils down to a simple question: "Oh, so you're a programmer?"
That's how I found myself in an interview with a company, despite clearly stating that a) I was a student and b) I had no idea what the job entailed. I can only imagine how frustrated their CTO must have been with the HR department for their lackluster selection process.
During the interview, I recall him saying things like, "Oh, so you want to be a developer? You know that it's a job where you don't often get laid, right?" and "It's an undesirable kind of job; you won't see the light of day for a long time." He also asked questions like, "So, will you feel comfortable managing a 3 TB dataset?"
I take pride in the fact that I managed to keep my composure, even though I was incredibly frustrated with him. It was clear that he wasn't happy in his role or with his colleagues, and I wonder if he realized how damaging his attitude could be to someone seeking their first professional experience.
Unfortunately, encounters with such individuals happen from time to time—not just in interviews. Negative experiences tend to resonate more deeply with us. It's important to channel your anger constructively; for me, that meant spending two hours shooting hoops at my local playground. Don't let these experiences diminish your enjoyment of what you do. They simply aren't worth it.
This week has been one of those challenging ones: a lot to manage and the feeling of not having enough time to accomplish everything. The date of my SC900 exam is approaching, and I still feel quite unprepared for it. Additionally, I was appointed team leader for my last group project, and I'm gradually learning how to navigate that responsibility amidst the chaos. Simply getting through weeks like this can feel like an achievement in itself. Fortunately, they don’t last forever. Wishing you a great week ahead!
Something to read: David Chariandy - Brother
Something to listen to: Coltaine - Brandung
Something to watch: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
*the title of this post is intended as a tribute to David Foster Wallace.
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