harisrid Tech News

A Primer

Alright, this is another topic on my mind and something I want to cover.

Networking.

Network. Network. Network.

Because experiences running through multiple mock interview sessions – as interviewee and as interviewer – have taught me that many of us struggle and under-utilize their innate networking opportunities.

And I’ll explain.

Both the interviewer and the interviewee spend quality time with each other – at least 60 minutes to 90 minutes of their waking hours ( that’s 1/16th of a standard day assuming a person sleeps in for 8 hours ). Occasionally, both sides extend their practice – upwards to 4 mock sessions ( putting us at 4-6 waking hours of our lives spent together ).

Which has me seriously thinking – whether both parties are working a job ( or are transiently unemployed and actively looking ), the party on either side fits the bill of a person to definitely ask for a referral.

It’s understandable that asking anyone – co-workers or friends – for referrals is a hard skill. But a person you practiced interviewing with in real-life should be easier. I can write up a a warm referral ( one where I personally know the individual and can strongly attest to their skills in a thoughtfully written paragraph ) versus a cold referral ( one where all I can provide is a resume, contact info, and some inkling of skill ), which enables me to draft up a stronger case.

Warm Referral : Case Study #1

I want to strongly consider <insert_interlocutor_name> as a prospective hire for position <insert_position_name> at company <insert_company_name> at level <insert_level_name>. I strongly vouch for their skillset and their hire-ability at the organization- we’ve spent time together in a 1:1 online setting engaged in deliberate practice on <algorithms/system design/insert_skill_name>. I definitely see strong capabilities in their skills across multiple domains : coding, problem solving, requirements gathering, solution-ing, and understanding word problems. I also learnt new ways to tackle problems and how to write up code and tests better by working with them.

And Please Share LinkedIn/E-mails/Socials too !!!

I’m also equally surprised how many of us seldom connect over LinkedIn ( and other social media platforms ) or getting each other’s e-mails for persisting long-term communication. As interviewer or as interviewee, I aim to spend the session’s final five minutes exchanging our contact information.

Conclusion

So folks out there who’re potentially making life-long friends or professional contacts in their mock practice sessions.

Keep in strong touch and reach out to each other. A year later. Five. Even Ten!

Who knows what exciting developments lay abound!!