There are two sides to every coin.
Yup – then there is also the edge of that coin. The designs on it. The metal that it is made of.
It is possible to have a much deeper context to that coin than it might seem on the face of it (no pun intended).
A quick internet search brings up terms like “proverb” or “idiom” to describe this two sided concept. This works for a lot of metaphors. Each side of a coin typically has distinct, different designs. This highlights two different, often seemingly opposite aspects that are connected through the same object.
It would be easy to fall a coin trap metaphor when it comes to finding a job.
If you go search on the internet then it is very easy to quickly and easily find ideas and strong declarative statements on what you must do to find a new job. However, just as quickly, you can find completely opposite ideas and concepts to counter those strongly presented actions.
Two counter ideas, both presented as factual, bonded by the metal and promise of achieving that dream job.
Yet this coin concept breaks down quickly.
People aren’t coins. A coin is essentially binary, side A or side B.
Humans are multi-dimensional, squishy engines of creativity fueled by emotions and drive. Distilling a person down into a simple two sided concept isn’t doing them any justice at all.
Yet when it comes to the modern day job search and hiring process, it can feel like we are marginalized down to this simple binary choice.
The worst part is that the choice often isn’t even being made by another human anymore. Application Tracking Systems (ATS) powered by AI are often becoming the simple, distilled down gatekeepers of the modern job search age.
They have no problem melting down an iceberg into a simple and easy choice. Yes or no. True or false. Some Wizard-of-Oz-like behind the curtain variables defining whether or not your resume makes it through the outer gate.
The iceberg metaphor is much better here, by the way.
Icebergs typically have something like 90% of their mass underwater, leaving only a small fraction visible and exposed.
I like to think that I give 110% of myself, my skills and knowledge, my empathy and understanding to any role.
So how can anyone get a sense of who I really am and what I can offer from a two page resume barely sticking above the sea of candidates?
For me the answer starts with some self-reflection.
Who am I really? What value am I bringing to an organization? What contributions can I make?
I believe in a people-first approach to engineering management. People that are supported in a psychologically safe environment where they can speak openly and honestly about their challenges are people that can find ways to grow faster and make bigger impacts.
I believe in creativity. In college, obtaining a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering taught me that everything gets abstracted. We can drill down on any software into the programming language, then go deeper into the compiler, then down to the lowest levels and darkest basements of the computer infrastructure. This required learning to write machine code and see it translated into 1s and 0s. But even that is in a way abstracted. The logic gates that operate on those 1s and 0s are made up on transistors and electrons. To me, creativity and this new world order imposed by “magic” AIs just are another layer of abstraction. The difference is that the ideas, the creativity, that drives making amazing products has more roadblocks removed now than ever before and the time to market and impact of new ideas being easier, faster, and more obtainable than ever before.
I believe in always learning. This is another area where AI comes into play on a daily basis. It is hands down the greatest learning tool created (to this point). Having an ability to learn a new concept, idea, or technology every single day is amazing. It supports a person like me who prefers to be a bit more broad across many areas. This doesn’t mean that I don’t go deep, but it does supercharge the ability to learn new concepts and ideas faster and build knowledge at unprecedented rates.
I believe in communication. This comes in all forms – whether it be verbal, written, or spoken. Communication paired with empathy is a superpower. It let’s me meet others where they are at, whether that is emotionally or at a target technical level. Communication paired with learning means that no idea or technology gets left behind and all of them can get the space to breathe and grow that they need.
I believe in engineering. To me this word embodies a concept of solutions. The animated movie Robots, that as a parent I ended up playing on a movie loop due to popular request, has a quote from an inventor robot: “See a need, fill a need.” Engineering is imply finding workable solutions to needs, whatever they may be. This requires other people to create these solutions, and along with creativity, learning, and communication there isn’t a need that we can’t create an engineering solution for.
This post is part of my interview prep. I am writing it off and on as I read, research, and read even more about a company that I have an interview with today.
This is me showing off a bit of my iceberg below the surface. Just like all of us, there is a lot more to me than what sticks out above the waterline.
As my spouse left for work this morning and the last thing that was said to me was: “Just be yourself. You will find the right thing!”
Yes, I will.
In Harry Potter there is a scene where there is a room with thousands of keys, with wings, flitting and flying about. The people in the scene must find the one specific key that unlocks the door for them to move on in their journey.
While in the high-paced, AI gatekeeping job search world it might feel like this challenge is harder than ever, with a flying broom that barely functions and that the challenge now has to be done with a blindfold, keep on thing in mind.
You are not a coin, you are an iceberg and you have a LOT to offer.
And for me? I’m not the one trying to flail around and capture that elusive key. Instead, I AM the key, and I can unlock that next door. Instead of flying around where you have to catch me, I am right here in front of you. If I can help unlock doors for you, let’s talk.
As always, thanks for reading and have an awesome day!