Life Lessons from interviews..
Some learnings stay with you for life. Perhaps someone who taught you, taught you really well.
As I recently started to hire (10+ years of engineering experience, you are welcome to reach out); I am getting many requests for informational.
Informational teaches you a lot about each other given neither of you is committed, just how this one below changed my career trajectory.
Few years back, after feeling accomplished in my current org, taking a one pager to a brand new feature I see in all Amazon search results today — I started exploring passively.
I got an hour with this director — An hour was a lot of time and I was unsure of a lot of things as I was. walking in to meet him on a pretty hot day.
The director was charismatic, shared stories about life and also the charter/opportunity. I was listening patiently but also somehow picked the worst headache of my life (the walk in the heat got me). He asked — Are you okay? I said honestly — ‘No, I am sorry but I am having a very bad headache’. He immediately got up to get me medicine and water. I left early and the headache was gone in no time.
I received an email that evening. He wrote to me — He shared how he thought I was dehydrated. How much is an ideal daily water intake, how that changes with season, tips on how to flavor up the water with cardamom and various other health tips. There was no ask for what I thought about the opportunity. The homework was done and the position was apparently mine if I chose it.
My decision was quick and easy, I wanted to be led by him. I accepted the offer. He gifted me a set of Costco water bottles to welcome me. The empathy was clearly long lasting and I also use those bottles every day.
We both moved on to different FAANG companies, but I learnt a life lesson — how empathy is central in building a connection, reflecting the culture you truly believe in.
Today, I try to put myself in every candidates shoes while interviewing, in the hope to also create a long lasting impact on someone..
#LifeLessons #Hiring #SeniorsAndPrincipals
