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Soft Skills Engineering

Episode 424: Bragging without ego and how to predict layoffs

Sep 2, 2024
The hosts tackle the fine line between humility and self-promotion when presenting yourself in job interviews, suggesting strategies to showcase your contributions without coming off as egotistical. They also discuss job security, offering practical tips for identifying potential layoffs during the hiring process. Insights on how aggressive hiring can signal instability, and the importance of leveraging LinkedIn for insider information, are explored. The humor and camaraderie make for an engaging listen on navigating the corporate landscape.
29:32

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Effective self-presentation in interviews requires junior engineers to emphasize business impact and personal growth to avoid appearing egotistical.
  • Monitoring business performance indicators and understanding team roles can provide insights into job security amidst potential layoffs.

Deep dives

The Challenges of Self-Presentation

The dilemma of self-presentation in job interviews is highlighted, particularly for junior engineers who must convey their contributions without appearing egotistical. A listener recounts how they manage critical infrastructure as a sole developer, yet struggle to communicate their achievements without coming off as self-satisfied. It's suggested that focusing on the business impact and being open to learning can help soften the tone of their delivery. Emphasizing personal growth and the challenges faced while achieving their goals may also contribute to a more humble and relatable narrative.

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