The Power of Proof of Work: How an Online Presence Got Me an Internship Offer (Without an Interview!)
A couple of days back, something unexpected happened. I applied for an internship, and soon after, I received an email saying I'd been selected — without a single interview. I was shocked. My initial reaction was that it must be a scam, so I didn't respond.
But then, the next day, I came across a LinkedIn post from the company that clarified everything:
Clarifying Recent Doubts from Our New Interns
"We've carefully evaluated all assignments, with even non-evaluation team members contributing to ensure a thorough review. We explored LinkedIn profiles, GitHub repositories, LeetCode submissions, portfolios, live projects, and other available resources. If you've been selected, it means your skills and past project experience align well with our goals."
They emphasized that they were transitioning from outsourcing development work to building their own cybersecurity products and were assembling a strong, adaptable team to keep up with this fast-evolving field. And freshers like us, who are continuously learning and adapting, were exactly what they were looking for.
I finally realized the email was legit. My online work — my GitHub repositories, my portfolio, my projects — had spoken for me. My proof of work had gotten me the opportunity without a single interview.
Why I Had to Reject the Offer
Unfortunately, I had to decline the offer. I'm currently working somewhere else and couldn't join without serving the proper notice period. But the experience taught me a valuable lesson.
What This Incident Taught Me
Code in Public. Always.
Never shy away from sharing your work online, even if it's just a simple "Hello, World!" app. Here's why:
Visibility Matters: Recruiters and companies often scout LinkedIn, GitHub, and other platforms to identify potential candidates. If you're consistently sharing your work, you're making their job easier.
Your Work Speaks for You: In my case, my public projects and contributions did the talking. They showcased my skills and passion for development, making an interview unnecessary.
Document Your Journey: Share your learning process, your successes, your failures — everything. Your growth is valuable, and it shows dedication.
Opportunities Will Find You: The more visible your work is, the higher your chances of attracting the right opportunities, sometimes when you least expect them.
Share Your Achievements and Experiences
You don't have to be perfect. Start small. Whether it's solving a coding challenge, completing a project, or learning a new framework, share it. Your online presence is your living résumé.
So, to anyone who's still hesitant: put your work out there! You never know who might be watching, and what opportunities may come your way.
Keep coding, keep sharing, and keep growing!