Ask HN: How to come back after blanking out during technical interviews?

2 points by wuweipractioner 5 years ago | 3 comments

I have 6 years of experience as a software engineer as well as 2 years as a lead, and during work I am always able to communicate clearly about code be that during discussions about architecture/system design or when explaining/teaching to a colleague (even while fixing burning issues on production).

But since I have started job hunting recently I found it very hard to do so during interviews. The moment I make a mistake in the solution or miss out answering any one of interviewer's questions, my mind goes blank. And then it goes downhill with my answers circling around what needs to be said or ends up being tangential to what was asked. I would only realize that after the interview or when the interviewer interjects.

I have made peace with the fact that I generally get tensed before interviews and have a very high chance of getting mentally blocked during one, but I would really like to know if there is a way to get unblocked other than asking for a take away assignment or postponing the interview.

kidgorgeous 5 years ago |

Your mindset is the issue. Therefore I would suggest to forget trying to use different tactics. These are just a band-aid to the real problem.

Go into every interview knowing that the company would be lucky to have you, and even having a conversation with someone of your experience is a privilege.

These companies need you. You don't need them. The ratio of coders to non-coders in this world is staggering and the demand only keeps increasing. It's a buyers market for the forseeable future.

wuweipractioner 5 years ago | |

What you say makes perfect sense but I find it hard to convince myself the same, but I will keep trying to maintain a confident mindset before interviews until I get it right. Thank you.

dmfdmf 5 years ago |

The brain lock is probably a bigger deal in your mind than in the mind of the interviewer. You seem to be framing the interview as a confrontation or holding perfection as your standard. The truth is that interviewers are often on your side and want you to do well, they need a good employee afterall. If you stumble just admit it with an honest comment like "Hmmm, I'm a little nervous." Unless the interviewer is a sociopath he will probably provide some guidance or try to break the tension with banter or something like that. Finally, practice makes perfect so take any interviews you can get even with companies or jobs that you aren't that interested in (this will reduce anxiety too since less is on the line) so you can get better at the process and do well when you find the job that you really want. It is a lot like dating ;-)