Before we delve in – I am well aware that experience can also mean time passed, and that I perceive myself, in a subjective way, as a pro, since I've been doing this job for the past 20 years. I'm in my mid 40s, seen a lot, been to several good workplaces, did a good job.
Now – I had an interview with a very promising tech company, for a Front-end Developer role.
The interviewer was, of course, younger than me. Which not is a problem at all. He seemed very experienced and well versed in his job. He presented a short coding challenge, which I went through (not without some comments from his side), and generally did well.
The feedback I got from the HR rep was: “It's weird, in light of your vast experience, the interviewer thought you were… slow”.
To be fairly honest, I found it offensive. But jumping over the feelings fence, I believe what he experienced as Slowness, was, in fact, experience. I methodically slow down to think before shooting code, and that's my method. That's me.
The HR rep thought it would be best to give me a home assignment. I agreed. I felt this is a good company for me. The assignment is about to take place tomorrow.
However, since I agreed to take the assignment, I feel as if it doesn't matter. Even if I do well, the Slowness bias is now in the air. Even if they say “OK, the assignment was good”, let's go forward – the Slowness bias will always follow me (“he got in, although he's kinda slow”).
On one hand, I want to ace this assignment, and go hopefully get an offer. On the other hand, I feel their first impression had set an awkwardness on the whole thing, and I feel I want to tell them to forget about it and move on.
Would love to hear your comments.