If I Were Looking For A Tech Job In 2024 I'd Do This

Summary

In a challenging tech job market, Nil, a senior technical product manager at Amazon, advises job seekers to effectively sell themselves, hone in-demand skills, stay updated with industry trends, and be interview-ready. He emphasizes the importance of showcasing relevant projects and having a strong portfolio to stand out among numerous applicants.

Takeaways

• 💼 The tech job market is currently challenging, with fewer open software engineering positions and increased competition.
• 📈 Successful candidates need to effectively sell themselves, showcasing their skills and relevance for the position.
• 📚 It's crucial to avoid being too generic in describing skills; focus on the specific abilities relevant to the job role.
• 📈 Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Results) to structure responses in interviews, emphasizing personal contributions and outcomes.
• 📝 When preparing for interviews, reflect on past experiences and select key projects that demonstrate skills relevant to the job.
• 🔍 Include the right level of detail in resumes and interviews to make the impact of your work clear and understandable.
• 💡 Learn additional skills that set you apart, such as certifications or involvement in open-source projects, to enhance your profile.
• 📈 Technical acumen is a key differentiator for product managers, with practical skills like SQL and programming being highly valuable.
• 🌐 Staying updated with industry trends and technologies is essential, as tech is a rapidly evolving field.
• 🔄 Continuously practice interview skills and keep your technical expertise sharp to be ready for opportunities as they arise.
• 📚 Building a solid portfolio with concrete examples of your work can significantly increase your chances of standing out in the job market.

Q & A

What is the current state of the tech job market according to the speaker?

The tech job market is currently very challenging, with fewer open software engineering jobs and increased competition. Graduates with high academic achievements are struggling to secure interviews and jobs that were previously accessible.

What is the speaker's professional background and how does it relate to the advice given?

The speaker is a senior technical product manager at Amazon who has interviewed, hired, and managed teams of software engineers, product managers, and technical program managers. His experience allows him to provide insights on what successful candidates do to stand out.

Why is it crucial for candidates to learn to sell themselves according to the script?

It is crucial because many candidates struggle to convey why they deserve the job, and recruiters find it difficult to extract relevant information from them. Candidates need to showcase their skills and relevance for the position.

What mistake do many candidates make when describing their skills in interviews or resumes?

Many candidates make the mistake of being too generic with their skill set, describing a broad range of adjacent skills without focusing on their true abilities for the role they are applying for.

What is the STAR format and how should it be used in interviews?

The STAR format stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results. It is a common method used in interviews to structure responses about past experiences. Candidates should focus on what they did (Action) and the results (Results), spending 60-70% of their time on these aspects.

What is the XYZ format used in resumes and how does it differ from the STAR format?

The XYZ format is used in resumes and stands for You accomplish X by Y amount by doing Z. It emphasizes the outcomes and the methods used to achieve them, providing a clear and concise summary of achievements.

Why is it important for candidates to learn skills that set them apart from others?

Learning unique skills is important because it helps candidates stand out in a competitive job market. It shows that they are proactive and capable of adding value beyond the basic requirements of the job.

What are some ways candidates can build their portfolios to demonstrate their skills?

Candidates can build their portfolios by participating in open-source projects, obtaining certifications from platforms like Udacity or Coursera, and working on projects that showcase their technical abilities and understanding of the job role.

How can candidates stay updated with the latest trends in technology?

Candidates can stay updated by following prominent influencers on LinkedIn or Twitter, engaging with the startup community, and keeping an eye on the technologies that companies are using and hiring for.

What is the speaker's advice for candidates who are currently looking for a job?

The speaker advises candidates to be prepared at all times, practice interviewing regularly, keep their skills up to date, and have solid examples of their work ready to showcase during interviews.

How can product managers and technical program managers demonstrate their capabilities in interviews?

They can demonstrate their capabilities by having a solid portfolio of projects they have led or managed, showcasing their technical acumen, and being able to discuss their experiences in a way that aligns with the job requirements.