My WORST Job Recruiting Experience EVER | Interview Fails

Summary

In this video, Savindra Ppuri, a seasoned DevOps professional, shares his insights from years of interviewing candidates in the tech industry. He discusses the common mistakes candidates make during interviews and the key lessons learned, such as the importance of clear communication, deep understanding of one's work, and the ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms. Savindra emphasizes honesty, curiosity, and preparation, encouraging candidates to understand the bigger picture and be ready to showcase their skills visually. The video also highlights the value of continuous learning and staying humble in the tech field.

Takeaways

• 😀 Practice explaining your work in different formats: 10 seconds, 2 minutes, and 30 minutes. If you can't simplify it, you probably don’t understand it well enough.
• 😀 Listen carefully to the questions during interviews. If you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification instead of rambling off-topic.
• 😀 Demonstrate the ability to explain complex concepts clearly, even using visual aids like slides or diagrams to help the interviewer understand your work.
• 😀 If you can't explain something in a way a 5-year-old would understand, you probably haven’t fully grasped it yourself.
• 😀 Honesty is key in interviews. Using outside help like chatbots to answer questions will eventually be detected, and it will hurt your chances.
• 😀 Be ready to draw or create diagrams during interviews. Visual explanations are crucial in technical fields like DevOps and Cloud Engineering.
• 😀 To make a real impact, you must understand the full picture, not just your piece of the project. Know the entire workflow before and after your work.
• 😀 Developing a full understanding of your tools and their alternatives is vital. Always be ready to dive deeper into the details of your technical choices.
• 😀 Never cheat in an interview. Even if you get away with it, experienced interviewers can often spot dishonesty.
• 😀 Stay curious and humble. Ask questions to your interviewers and others. It’s okay not to know everything, as long as you’re willing to learn.
• 😀 Focus on mastering the fundamentals. While tools and technologies evolve, the core concepts like networking, Linux, and operating systems remain foundational.

Q & A

What is the main lesson from the first candidate interview about listening to the question?

The main lesson is to listen carefully to the question asked. If the candidate doesn't understand it, they should ask for clarification instead of rambling on with irrelevant information.

Why is it important to be able to explain your work in different time frames (10 seconds, 2 minutes, and 30 minutes)?

Being able to explain your work in different time frames shows a deep understanding of the topic. It means you can adjust your explanation depending on the audience and the level of detail required.

What was the issue with the DevOps architect’s explanation of their project?

The DevOps architect was unable to effectively communicate the architecture of their project. They provided a long-winded explanation without visual aids or clear articulation, which led to confusion.

What does it indicate if someone cannot explain their work simply, even to a 5-year-old?

If someone can't explain their work simply, it indicates they don't fully understand it. A good understanding should allow a person to break down complex ideas into simpler terms.

What lesson can be learned from the facial recognition app project that was presented in the college campus interview?

The key lesson is that if you haven't done deep research or hands-on work with a project, you'll struggle to answer detailed, technical questions. Superficial knowledge won't hold up in an interview.

What was the issue with the candidate who tried to cheat using external tools like ChatGPT during the interview?

The issue was that the candidate's dishonesty became apparent when they were asked to perform tasks without the aid of external tools. This undermined their credibility and revealed that they didn't truly understand the topics.

What is the importance of preparation for visual explanations like slides or whiteboards in an interview?

Being able to visually explain concepts using slides or whiteboards is crucial in technical interviews. It demonstrates the candidate's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and helps interviewers understand the candidate’s thought process.

How does staying curious and asking questions benefit both interviewees and interviewers?

Staying curious and asking questions demonstrates a willingness to learn and engage with the subject matter. It shows a proactive attitude and helps interviewees gather more information, which is also valuable for interviewers to assess the candidate’s depth of understanding.

Why is it important to go back to the basics, such as Linux, networking, and operating systems?

Mastering the basics is crucial because they provide the foundational knowledge necessary for working with more advanced tools and technologies. Having a strong grasp of fundamentals ensures long-term success in technical fields.

What practical takeaway should interviewees keep in mind regarding honesty during interviews?

Interviewees should always be honest about what they know and what they don't know. Trying to fake knowledge will be exposed eventually, and it is better to admit limitations and show a willingness to learn.