E161 | Rise Above the Competition: Expert Insights from a Top Tech Recruiter–Darius Robinson

The NoDegree Podcast – No Degree Success Stories for Job Searching, Careers, and Entrepreneurship

Darius Robinson, a top tech recruiter, shares invaluable advice to help you navigate the job search process effectively and increase your chances of success. He and Jonaed highlight the significance of preparation, networking, and showcasing one's skills and expertise.

Key points discussed:

1. Leveraging LinkedIn and Building Community: Darius emphasizes the importance of establishing yourself as a subject matter expert on LinkedIn and actively building your professional network, even when you're not actively looking for work (5:29).

2. Reduce Rejection and Read Job Descriptions: Understanding that job postings can be generic. Darius advises candidates to carefully read job descriptions and ensure they meet the criteria before applying. Recruiters have limited time to review all applications (7:12).

3. Preparation and Due Diligence: Darius emphasizes the significance of thorough interview preparation and investing time in researching the company and role (11:25).

4. Standing Out: Candidates can set themselves apart by demonstrating their knowledge, asking insightful questions about the company, and following up after the interview (21:27).

5. Curiosity, Problem Solving, and Documentation: Darius highlights the importance of curiosity and problem-solving skills in the hiring process, and how documenting your learning journey can make you visible to the right people (32:28, 34:50).

Timestamps:

(1:19) Darius Robinson, FANG Recruiter

(2:25) Your degree isn’t holding you back. Your resume is. Here’s how to change that.

(4:36) What it’s like recruiting a person without a degree and what makes them stand out.

(5:29) Leveraging LinkedIn to establish yourself as a subject matter expert. Build your community even if you’re not actively looking for work

(7:12) Reduce rejection during your job search by knowing these three things.

(9:34) Don’t disqualify yourself because you didn’t read the pre-screening questions.

(11:25) Do your due diligence. Spend time preparing for your interview.

(15:36) What to do if you can’t make the interview.

(16:24) Never lie on your resume, here’s why.

(19:26) Make a recruiter’s job easier by preparing thoroughly for the interview.

(19:53) Are you a “red flag” to a recruiter? Here’s what to do to avoid that.

(21:27) Do this to set yourself apart

(22:40) Experience and interview skills determine compensation, not your degree.

(23:32) Misconception about the interview process and how to get practice.

(26:52) How to get inside info about company culture.

(31:27) Challenges to getting hired without a degree.

(32:28) How curiosity and problem solving can help you stand out.

(34:50) Documenting as you learn can help you to be visible to all the right people.

(35:41) AVOID doing this to recruiters and here’s what to do instead.

(42:14) Find your focus during your job search

Support/Contact Darius:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/day1darius/

Resources mentioned:

• Resume course: https://bit.ly/podcastpca

Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.

• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/JonaedIqbalND

Connect with us on social media!

• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeLinkedIn
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeFB
• Instagram: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeIG
• Twitter: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeTW
• TikTok: https://bit.ly/3qfUD2V
• Join our discord server: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeDiscord

Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, drop us a review on Apple Podcast and/or subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nodegree.

Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at nodegree.com.

Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/JonaedIqbalND

Connect with us on social media!

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeLinkedIn

- Facebook: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeFB

- Instagram: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeIG

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeTW

- TikTok: https://bit.ly/3qfUD2V

Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, drop us a review on Apple Podcast and/or subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nodegree.

Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at nodegree.com.