Master
ThoughtWorks
Menu
Close
  • What we do
    • Go to overview
    • Customer Experience, Product and Design
    • Data Strategy, Engineering and Analytics
    • Digital Transformation and Operations
    • Enterprise Modernization, Platforms and Cloud
  • Who we work with
    • Go to overview
    • Automotive
    • Healthcare
    • Public Sector
    • Cleantech, Energy and Utilities
    • Media and Publishing
    • Retail and E-commerce
    • Financial Services and Insurance
    • Not-for-profit
    • Travel and Transport
  • Insights
    • Go to overview
    • Featured

      • Technology

        An in-depth exploration of enterprise technology and engineering excellence

      • Business

        Keep up to date with the latest business and industry insights for digital leaders

      • Culture

        The place for career-building content and tips, and our view on social justice and inclusivity

    • Digital Publications and Tools

      • Technology Radar

        An opinionated guide to technology frontiers

      • Perspectives

        A publication for digital leaders

      • Digital Fluency Model

        A model for prioritizing the digital capabilities needed to navigate uncertainty

      • Decoder

        The business execs' A-Z guide to technology

    • All Insights

      • Articles

        Expert insights to help your business grow

      • Blogs

        Personal perspectives from ThoughtWorkers around the globe

      • Books

        Explore our extensive library

      • Podcasts

        Captivating conversations on the latest in business and tech

  • Careers
    • Go to overview
    • Application process

      What to expect as you interview with us

    • Grads and career changers

      Start your tech career on the right foot

    • Search jobs

      Find open positions in your region

    • Stay connected

      Sign up for our monthly newsletter

  • About
    • Go to overview
    • Our Purpose
    • Awards and Recognition
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Our Leaders
    • Partnerships
    • News
    • Conferences and Events
  • Contact
Global | English
  • United States United States
    English
  • China China
    中文 | English
  • India India
    English
  • Canada Canada
    English
  • Singapore Singapore
    English
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom
    English
  • Australia Australia
    English
  • Germany Germany
    English | Deutsch
  • Brazil Brazil
    English | Português
  • Spain Spain
    English | Español
  • Global Global
    English
Blogs
Select a topic
View all topicsClose
Technology 
Agile Project Management Cloud Continuous Delivery  Data Science & Engineering Defending the Free Internet Evolutionary Architecture Experience Design IoT Languages, Tools & Frameworks Legacy Modernization Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Microservices Platforms Security Software Testing Technology Strategy 
Business 
Financial Services Global Health Innovation Retail  Transformation 
Careers 
Career Hacks Diversity & Inclusion Social Change 
Blogs

Topics

Choose a topic
  • Technology
    Technology
  • Technology Overview
  • Agile Project Management
  • Cloud
  • Continuous Delivery
  • Data Science & Engineering
  • Defending the Free Internet
  • Evolutionary Architecture
  • Experience Design
  • IoT
  • Languages, Tools & Frameworks
  • Legacy Modernization
  • Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
  • Microservices
  • Platforms
  • Security
  • Software Testing
  • Technology Strategy
  • Business
    Business
  • Business Overview
  • Financial Services
  • Global Health
  • Innovation
  • Retail
  • Transformation
  • Careers
    Careers
  • Careers Overview
  • Career Hacks
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Social Change
Diversity & InclusionCareer HacksCareers

A career changer's experience with an inclusive and unbiased interview

Alwina Oyewoleturner Alwina Oyewoleturner

Published: Mar 1, 2021

As a career changer and a black woman, transitioning into tech has been a challenging and so far, a rewarding experience. Prior to working at ThoughtWorks, I worked for more than a decade in the legal industry assisting Intellectual Property litigation attorneys. In 2016, I decided to learn to code and attended an online coding bootcamp while I was working full time. It was definitely effortful learning to code, however, I wanted to make the change into tech because I knew the opportunities to be creative and grow professionally would be plentiful. 

career changer at thoughtworks university in india

After spending quite a bit of time learning to code, the next step on the journey was to interview for a developer position at a tech company. From what I learned as I read various interview prep articles, is that most tech interviews have similar components: a cultural or professional interview, a technical interview and a pair programming interview or a mix of these. 

When I interviewed for a developer role at ThoughtWorks in 2019, I expected it to be challenging, on both a professional and personal level. I also expected it to be arduous because I would be tested on the technical knowledge I acquired and of course, imposter syndrome kicked in because I didn’t know if I was “ready” to interview. However, when the interview was over and I headed back home to NY, I felt like I had one of the best interview experiences (including my prior career) and this was my first and only tech interview. 

For each of the interview sessions, I had a mix of women, men, non-binary people and women of color who interviewed me. I felt like TW made a conscious effort to show that I belonged at TW and in tech in general. I also felt seen as an individual and the interview process reflected the kind of people I would want to work with at TW.  When I started my journey into tech, I honestly did not expect to see people who looked like me, until I started attending meetups and conferences. Therefore, having a diverse and inclusive interview process confirmed that ThoughtWorks was the place I wanted to start my career in tech. 

During the interview process, I made sure to focus on the coding skills I learned during my coding bootcamp, as well as, the skills I acquired during my time in the legal field.  As I noted earlier, I expected to struggle with imposter syndrome because I worked in a completely different field and not entirely sure if I belonged in tech due to my previous background. I did not experience any bias because I was a career changer, nor did it feel like that was a factor in their approach during the interview. The interviewers were really helpful and collaborative, which put me at ease so I could focus on what was important during the interview. 

I realized the difference maker between a great interview and an ok interview is when the interviewers come into the interview open, unbiased and welcoming to the candidate. Also when the interviewers ask thoughtful questions, are non-judgmental and pair with the candidate on the test solution in a way that encourages creativity to flow, it sets the candidate at ease. It's definitely clear when an organization is thoughtful in their interview process. Companies that are intentional about who interviews candidates—in other words, are the interviewers diverse and reflective of society?—and how those interviews are conducted, set themselves apart.

Based on my experience, providing an inclusive, unbiased interview experience leaves a good impression on a candidate. It also makes the candidate feel like the company is a place where the candidate can contribute to the company’s mission and grow professionally. I felt like whether I got the job or not, ThoughtWorks set the bar for interview experiences and it would be difficult for another organization to top that. 

Free to be yourself

Learn about Diversity and Inclusion at ThoughtWorks.

Find out more
Related blogs
Career Hacks

Recruiters share top 7 FAQs from candidates

María Caparrós
Learn more
Career Hacks

Less interviews, more JoI

Jade Daubney
Learn more
Diversity & Inclusion

Through the Lens of: an Emerging Leader of Color

James Grate
Learn more
Master
Privacy policy | Modern Slavery statement | Accessibility
Connect with us
×

WeChat

QR code to ThoughtWorks China WeChat subscription account
© 2021 ThoughtWorks, Inc.