Fatima
Taj
Senior Software Engineer at Yelp
"Surviving the Brutal Tech Market of Today"
"Surviving the Brutal Tech Market of Today"
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Session: Surviving the Brutal Tech Market of Today
The technical interview process is more competitive than ever. Having navigated it myself this year, I’ve seen firsthand just how intense the market has become—and how success often hinges on more than just solving coding problems. At the same time, as someone who has interviewed and coached countless candidates, I know exactly what differentiates those who walk away with offers from those who don’t.This session is the most holistic, end-to-end guide to technical interviews you’ll ever attend. We’ll cover the entire journey: from building your network and preparing before the first recruiter call, to standing out during behavioral, coding, and system design rounds, to handling rejections, multiple offers, and negotiations with confidence. Along the way, I’ll share concrete strategies, templates, and stories—drawn from both sides of the table—that reveal the little things strong candidates do differently to stand out.
You’ll leave not just with a roadmap for interview prep, but with the practical tools and confidence to navigate every stage of the process—and maximize your chances of landing the offer.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the end-to-end journey of technical interviews in 2025, and why being “good enough” just doesn’t cut it in today’s brutal market.
- Learn the small but powerful habits that set successful candidates apart: clarifying assumptions, walking through test cases, and strong communication.
- Gain practical strategies to excel in behavioral, coding, and system design interviews—not just “get by.”
- Discover how to handle rejection, follow up professionally, and manage multiple offers.
- Build the skills and confidence to negotiate compensation packages effectively, including base, equity, bonuses, and signing.
Bio
Fatima is a Senior Software Engineer at Yelp and a LinkedIn Learning Instructor with a passion for ensuring there is no knowledge gatekeeping in tech. She believes that career growth and technical skills should be accessible to everyone, and she actively mentors professionals by sharing candid lessons and practical strategies - so others don’t have to learn the hard way. On LinkedIn, she shares actionable insights with a wide community, making career development guidance approachable and practical.An experienced international speaker, Fatima has presented at leading conferences including Berlin Buzzwords, Developer Week, SCALE, NDC Copenhagen Developer Festival, Women of Silicon Roundabout, cdCon+GitOpsCon (as a keynote), and Momentum, as well as at more than 80 hackathons across North America. Her sessions are known for being interactive and packed with hands-on advice, leaving attendees with strategies they can apply immediately.
With a master’s degree in Data Science from HEC Montreal and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, Fatima combines technical expertise with a commitment to building an inclusive and supportive tech community. Her mission is simple: make knowledge in tech open to all.
