Trying to get a job in Tech but don't think you have the chops?

If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!
- Richard Branson

5 Reasons why you should accept the opportunity.

1. Confidence - Treat yourself as an expert in your field as well as others you encounter, empower them as experts as well. Don’t ever think you aren't right for the role. I have worked for almost everyone in the tech industry. Always stay positive, and confident and know that you deserve the opportunity.
2. Research - Always do your prep work of the people interviewing you. Ask the HR recruiter who is interviewing you and research them on Linkedin. (Go the extra distance to find a common ground… Ie. Oh you worked for Disney also, so did I ? Or oh I saw you went to Harvard, isn’t that where Mark Zuckerburg went? Usually I find it helpful to strike a common interest with someone… Recently I interviewed in Florida for a role at Royal Caribbean and found out the interviewing manager went to the college I graduated from so instantly I struck some common ground in relating to him.)
3. Preparation - Most roles I’ve ever interviewed for its 70% culture and 30% chops. They have most likely already reviewed your portfolio, resume, researched you on social media and even done a google search. You have already been discussed by the team before you even get there. So know this ahead of time and realize they “want you”, once you get to the interview. They picked YOU! - The 70% is playing the role… Think of this as an audition to a movie and you really want the part. The 70% is going to be how well you carry yourself, what you wear to work, or the interview, and mostly how you can integrate with the team on day to day basis. Find common ground with people.
4. Humility - In my line of work in UX/UI Im always questioned with getting “it right”. What the IT is, is sometimes the UI and sometimes its being wrong to solve the solution. In roles I lead in teams I always tell everyone: “Leave your ego at the door”, and “Best Idea always wins”. I stand by this and equally in the process of an interview you want to live by this as well. Don’t go in knowing everything. As a UX, you are conditioned to observe behaviors and this includes your own. Be objective and unbiased and continue to show you want to be challenged while still maintaining your principles and work ethic. Sometimes its okay to be wrong, most of the time in UI / UX it is, because it allows you to grow and to iterate effectively. In an interview its great to allow others the floor and to ask more questions about you.
5. Say “YES” - In the end you want the role, the job, the perks, the full time or high paying contract. Yea you may be asked to dig into certain hats you didn’t plan on wearing but the great part about it is that you “got the job”. Sometimes its not about being able to wear all the hats asked, its not about wearing them either. Usually this is a question to question your character and attitude, because with every job you need to be accountable and reliable. An employer wants to know that when things get tough you aren’t going to make excuses and run away. Even if its less pay, more responsibility for the interview just say yes!. You can worry about it after you’re in a role for 6 months. Most of the time its one of those things that never happens anyway. That said… Say YES.

I hope this helps some of you prep for the next role. These are things in 100's of interviews I have done that really help adjust me to land the next role in the movie I call UX.

@theUXyeti