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Comment by namtab00 | Hacker News Reader

I was recently turned down on the first interview with an HR head. Motive: I said I can sometimes be perceived as frank in an argument, as an answer to the classic "tell me one of your shortcomings".

I'm not saying it can't be a valid reason. I guess I just don't get their values.

I'm convinced I would have been a pretty good match technically, but never got the chance to show it.

Italy, opening had max €50k budget.

I have 17 yoe and obviously it was not my first rodeo. Maybe I finally learned that sincerity and transparency is a dumbass move.

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I am also typically overly transparent and honest about my existing on the ground experience, even though I also have a lot of experience in learning new things. It doesn't always work out, as people are often scared of transparency. I often get the feeling that there's something "hiding" behind it, which is quite unexpected. The same people will view absolutely opaque people as honest and upfront. Such is the human condition.

I never know what to reply to those "name a bad thing about you" questions. Being honest seems like a terrible idea, but then what would an acceptable "bad thing" be to lie about? Do I say the cliche of "I work too hard" that nobody believes?

Pick a minor flaw, and immediately start expounding on what you do to mitigate it. For example, "I can't always keep all of a complex thing in my head, so I've learned to do X, Y and Z to keep up -- Z is a really cool tool, actually, have you heard of it? I've found that, in my career as a..."

That’s right, answer a bullshit question with a bullshit answer. Because this is merely an exchange in a larger game.

All these people complaining that they got turned down for being “transparent” actually failed a real test: given a toy situation between people that doesn’t involve code, can you figure out what to do to accomplish your goal?

And if someone starts listing their top defects, the answer is “no.” Could be due to nerves, sure. But for a mid-career professional to not have known what to do to get past HR is a failure in problem-solving. Luckily it is solvable with the right mindset.

I'm the one above complaining for being "transparent".

You're right, I failed that game.

I'm fully aware I suck at playing the de-facto state of professionalism, or lack thereof, in the job market.

Fuck me for trying to be an adult trying to adult with other adults, I guess.

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