Land the Tech Job You Love

Chapter 10Too Much Information

Imagine yourself in a job interview, where you’re just making introductions. The interviewer explains a bit about the company and asks the classic opener, “So, tell me about yourself.” Trying to give the interviewer an idea of what a determined, hard worker you are, you open with this:

After my wife and I arrived here in Ohio from Germany at age 35, I trained my son to play piano. He even performed at our church.

Your intent was to show that you’re a committed family man with strong roots in your heritage, that you have the skills to raise a child, and that you’re active in your church community, right? In fact, the result of your little bit of exposition probably will be to make the interviewer very nervous. ...