How I Got an $85k Job Offer After Blanking Out on an Interview
In this issue you'll learn that screwing up doesn't mean its over
Earlier in my career, I had an interview where I completely blanked out in front of 5 people watching my screen during a technical interview. This was for a security engineer position.
It was the 3rd interview I was having with this managed service provider. A remote position worth $85k + benefits was on the line. This would be a $10k raise over what I was making with more days off.
The technical interview started well. I was answering all the questions. I didn’t have all the answers, but I was able to pivot to things I knew. Then we got to the final challenge where I had to use WireShark.
Unfortunately for me I had not used WireShark in months. For those that don’t know, Wireshark is a commonly used packet analyzer. My task was to figure out why a user couldn’t access a website by analyzing a traffic capture file.
Should be easy right?
Yes it should be. But I blanked the heck out.
AND THAT’S WHEN I FELT THE DREAD SET IN
I was already nervous, but this turned it up to an 11. Have you ever been caught in a lie or in a risky situation? And when it happens your brain starts going at a million miles an hour trying to think of a way out and you just stall. That’s what happened to me.
It was only 30 seconds I sat there looking at this traffic in WireShark, but it felt like an eternity. I then did the only thing that came to my mind.
I told them I had no clue how to do it.
There’s nothing like telling five experienced professionals that you forgot how to use a popular tool to really humble yourself. Like seriously, any security engineer worth a crap should be able to use it. Anyways…
I followed up my sad confession with the explanation that I would talk out the problem and maybe something would come to me.
Once I did that, everything began to change
I had a few years of system administration experience before this interview. I had seen a few things. I knew the end goal was to figure out why a user could not access a website.
I could tell that the loaded packet capture included requests to a website ending in a Russian domain. I decided to run with that.
I explained to the interview panel that the user was trying to access a Russian domain and that it was likely blocked from a web filter. This company the user was working for must not have permission to visit sites that originate outside the United States or are from certain countries.
This answer allowed me to branch into a quick story where I had a user encounter a similar problem. They couldn’t access a manual that was hosted on a Turkish site because a web filter prevented them.
Satisfied with my guess that it was a web filter preventing the problem, the interview said “Ok, let’s move on”.
But I told him to stop.
I just had to know how to do it. I knew it had to be easy. He agreed and told me to right-click on one of the packets and click “Follow”. He then said I had one minute to find the answer from there.
I didn’t even need 15 seconds. I scrolled down and found the answer. Guess what?
The web page was blocked because of a web filter. I was happy that I had guessed right, but was ashamed that all I needed was a few button clicks to find it.
The interview concluded after pleasantries were exchanged.
And then I waited…
I was positive that I was not going to get the offer. I had blanked out and admitted to not knowing how to do something when the thing was actually really easy. I opted to toss my embarrassment out the window and went through a WireShark tutorial on YouTube.
I was not going to let that happen again…or at least not with WireShark.
After two days the email hit my inbox. My heart hung in my chest. This was it. I braced for rejection. I was met with a “Congratulations!” instead. They had picked me! Woohoo!
What I did next might have some of you face palm.
I turned down the offer and pivoted it towards a raise at my current employer. After reviewing my options I decided to stay.
So why did I bother to tell you this story?
Because I wanted to show you that screwing up in an interview isn’t the end of the world. It doesn’t mean you didn’t get the job. Even if you don’t get the job, you’ll be better prepared next time.
During an interview you should:
Not let previous blunders affect the rest of the interview.
Always show your thought process. It might lead you to the right answer.
And don’t give up.
Interviews are nerve wracking, but as long as you talk it out you will be fine.
Until next time y’all.