Hi Guys, I must admit that I have stayed with Cisco for just bit too long to the point that I am struggling to find a job outside Cisco. Need some advise on how to prepare for interviews. Need to be bit more hands-on. Feeling low due to constant rejections so need some career counseling. I am based on the US west coast. Also I am 40+.
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Tech-focused career coach: www.impeccableinterview.com
Start by learning the difference between advise and advice.
Boost your LinkedIn profile. Go to every inerview, even if yuo are not likely to accept, because you can use the practice. Read up on the things on the web about interviewing at Google or Amazon, or Facebook, because they might get you an interview there - not that the odds are good, but the experience is good practice.
Recommend focusing on management roles, or leadership roles such as Architect which will leverage your years of experience, human interaction, and ability to influence and drive changes. Avoid individual contributor roles unless you have deep specialty with high market demand.
Positivity and passion go a long way. The interviewer will make up their mind on you in the first few minutes, so first impressions are key. They will forget what you said and what you did, but not how you made them feel.
Go in with a specific intention of how you want to make them feel about you. Then make it happen.
It’s all totally doable and up to you.
And age? Doesn’t matter. If it matters to you that will come across. If you at ease with yourself, Then you will shine :)
Stay Patient and focus on that ONE thing that makes you stand out, Ignore, forget and remove the 99 things you did outside of your core that was Cisco specific. Interview as a professional in your own right not just as an ex-Ciscoite...will need a major mind shift.
I started my own business. No one cares to hire a 55 yo engineer
You got lazy at Cisco and became a politician instead of an engineer. You lost all skills of value to get ahead in the Cisco culture .
Cant blame you as that is what is encountered to advance there.
Best option is a career in academia after that happens
Do a search on the web for Cracking the Coding Interview and practice those problems. Go to coding websites like HackerRank and practice. With that said, I feel your pain, I’m in the same boat. Wish there was a silver bullet. Good luck