3 days ago I was doing a technical interview with two seniors in a top startup here. It was actually my first technical face-to-face on-paper interview in my life. They started with a problem solving question that I actually couldn't solve, although I asked for several hints and tried as hard as possible to discuss the question, but they mentioned then it's actually okay, and not a big deal (started to get a little bit nervous). Then we moved to some DS general questions that I think I actually answered them pretty well. Finally they started asking me about Databases and SQL. First they told me to convert a simple NoSQL scenario to an SQL one, drew relations between entities and the relational tables and explained them. I think I was doing okay, until they asked me to write queries. JUST SOME SIMPLE F**KING QUERIES MADE ME STRUGGLE SO HARD. Like I wrote much more complex queries, but this time was different. I even struggled with the SQL syntax. I wrote them in the end, but I was getting hot and sweating from the embarrassment, and they assisted me a lot. I am not going to lie, I have problems with Databases and didn't give it attention, and I was planning to study it once again this summer with DSA. But I was pretty sure if I was infront of my laptop, it could have went different. Then they asked me the output of two queries and which one has a better performance, which I managed to answer that nested queries has worse performance, so the other one is better. When they asked why nested queries has a worse performance, I couldn't remember and I was going to seriously break down. They mentioned then that they don't expect me to be so good at any topic, and that I'll come here to learn, but that I should seriously consider studying databases again. Also, one of the interviewers was in my university and mentioned that he understands how the database course taught in our university is so bad (Yet I know I should have studied it by myself, and should have done better) I thanked them, went to thank the CTO for allowing me to have this interview, and then went home. I even couldn't ask them what are the next steps in the internship process from the embarrassment. I was considering sending an apology to them regarding my performance, and asking if we are going to continue in the hiring process. tl;dr I fucked up so bad in Database and SQL questions in an Internship interview, and I was so embarrassed to ask if we are moving forward in the internship process. Should I send the interviewers an apology, and ask them if we are moving forward? Thanks in advance guys and sorry for the long vent. Also, can anyone please tell me about a good source to start studying databases with? TC: 0 (I am still an undergraduate student) #vent #swe #internship #database #engineering #software
Don’t apologize. Please don’t expect for an intern to know everything. Show confidence and attitude that you’re willing to learn. That’s all matters.
Should I ask them if we are moving forward in the process, and that I am willing to learn? Or just move on and focus on my studyings? Actually there was no internship job opening, I managed to land the interview by messaging the CTO on Linkedin asking him if I can do an internship in their company, and he kindly managed to prepare that interview though.
Just sit tight. You're fine. Don't sweat it. Imagine you're a pianist playing a concert and you mess up some of the song. What do you think would be worse? You apologize to the audience about your mistake and walk off stage, or you continue playing anyways? We all make mistakes. But pointing out our flaws to others only highlights our own insecurities. You're young so I'm going to assume this happens in other aspects of life for you. You need to learn a life skill of "rolling with the punches", you can't controll what others think of you, so don't try it. I know you want to, but you can't....and trying to control what others think of you only makes you less desirable to be around because you don't appear genuine when you do that. Be who you are, act naturally, and accept the circumstances as they are. Focus on the things you can control (not other people's opinion of you) and be present in the moment. I bet during the interview you tried to split your thinking between "did they like what I said? Oh how can I change it if they didn't? Maybe I should say this other thing instead?" and actually focusing on answering the interview questions themselves. Am I right? When you do that you're not being truly present in the moment and you're too focused on the outcome. Just do your best but don't be worried about the outcome. Otherwise you will actually do worse.
You will bomb more interviews than this. Just learn from it and move on, don’t apologize
The apology is not needed, and won’t change their assessment results.
Well, there was no internship job opening. I landed the interview by sending him a message on Linkedin asking him if I can do an internship in their company, and he kindly managed to prepare this interview for me.
Interviewing a few times is like practicing for the role you want. Just take the learnings, study up and prepare for the next one. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s okay.
You don't need to apologize Fwiw, I've interviewed ppl for sr lvl positions who've blanked during interviews... You might not get the job, but if you're struggling in the future, you gotta ask questions so that they can see where you're having trouble
no one expects an intern to know everything (except for shit managers), accept u didn’t do well, it happens
If you want to thank them for their time and maybe sneak in an apology it won’t hurt. But it won’t help either.
I mean there was no internship job opening, I was just the only one interviewing since I landed this interview by messaging the CTO on Linkedin asking him if I can do an internship in their company and he managed to prepare this interview for me. I don't have any high hopes, but I just don't know if I am moving forward in the process or not.
Sounds like you’re trying to resort to pity and begging. Have some dignity and work on improving for the next interview. The decision won’t come down to whether you apologize or not
Thank you guys so much for your kind words. I think I'll send them an email thanking them, and just mention that I am willing to learn databases, and ask if there is anything else I should focus on.
Don't send them anything. Just wait for a response. Promise you this is better.
OP you sound like Einstein compared to my first internship interview performance, I was so nervous, I am pretty sure I blacked out for a moment😂. No need to apologize, or ask about next steps. If you thanked the team, you are good.
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No need to apologize, everyone understands the pressure of interviewing, you are ok, just practice giving more interviews
So I just message them that I am willing to learn, and ask if we are moving forward in the process? Or move on, and focus on studying at the moment?
Thank them for giving you the opportunity to interview and continue preping