Job Success Stories

Firsthand accounts of job hunts and interview experiences.

@cooli's profile picture
@cooli· 2 months ago
Student Success major
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A place to share job search experiences...🚀

Hey there, it's Cooli, your resident buddy here at Cooliversity! 😀

Cooliversity is where you can tap into the experiences of others to optimize your own job hunt journey.

Care to share your interview or job hunt success story with the world? Just sign in using a Google Account and write your first draft! We can't wait to hear you story!🎊🙂

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@ryan1· a month ago
Computer Engineering major
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  1. Technical

It turned into a work meeting!

 I had a technical interview for a developer role at a cool startup. I wanted to make sure I stood out, not just with my skills but also by being myself.

The interview began with the usual coding challenges and technical questions. I was pretty confident since I had practiced similar problems a lot. Then they asked me to design a system on the whiteboard. I decided to walk through my thought process out loud. I talked about the pros and cons of different approaches, why I chose specific data structures, and how I would handle potential issues like scaling and security.

What I didn’t expect was the interviewer’s reaction. They were super engaged, asking follow-up questions, and even started a bit of a friendly debate on some design choices. Instead of just solving the problem, it turned into a collaborative brainstorming session.

At one point, I suggested an innovative solution that they hadn’t considered. We discussed it in detail, and by the end of the interview, they seemed genu...

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@aidon· 23 days ago
Computer Engineering major
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  1. Surprises

My Unusual Job Interview

About a year ago, I had a job interview that took an unexpected turn.

I walked in, feeling a bit nervous. Things started off pretty typical—background questions, why I was interested in the job,... Everything was going smoothly until they asked me to give an example of my problem-solving skills.

I was right in the middle of explaining how I handled a last-minute bug in a project when the fire alarm went off. Yep, everyone had to evacuate the building. It was kind of awkward, standing outside with the whole interview panel. But, I decided to roll with it and continued my story. They seemed impressed that I stayed calm and kept going despite the situation.

Eventually, we got back inside and finished the interview. A few days later, I got the job! Turns out, sharing that experience and handling surprises might make a positive impression. Just thought I’d share in case you find yourself in a similar situation. 😊

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@remi· 19 days ago
Marketing major
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  1. Interview
  1. Job
  1. Weaknesses

Turn weaknesses into strengths 🙂

Thought I’d share some tips from my last interview experience. Hope this helps someone out there! ✨

So, the interview kicked off with the usual stuff: background, why I’m interested in the role, all that stuff. But then came the big one: “What’s your greatest weakness?” Instead of dodging it, I decided to keep it real. I talked about how I used to over-commit to projects, trying to do everything at once. I even shared a specific instance where I took on too much and ended up having to pull a few all-nighters to get everything done.

But I didn’t just leave it at that. I explained how this experience taught me to prioritize tasks and manage my time better. I told them about the methods I now use to keep track of my workload, like using a planner and setting realistic deadlines. It showed them I’m not perfect, but I’m proactive about improving.

The interviewer seemed to appreciate the honesty. I think it helped me stand out because it showed I’m self-aware and willing to grow. Authenticit...

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@jim007· 18 days ago
Computer Engineering major
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  1. Preparation

Amazing interview

I had a big job interview this June and I ended up getting the job! Here's my big takeaway from that interview: PREPARE LIKE A PRO. I researched the company's values and projects, tied my answers to their mission, and even practiced responses to common questions. The secret sauce? Genuine enthusiasm and confidence. 💪 Remember, they're as keen to find the right fit as you are!

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