What do you do if your robotics interview focuses on the wrong skills?

When you're in a robo-interview where the questions don't align with your skill set think of C-3PO & R2-D2, these 2 droids have different roles and skills: 3PO excels in languages & diplomacy, while R2 is a master at tech & mech tasks. If the interviewer asks about skills you don't have, you could say, I understand you're looking for specific skills, but let me show you how my skills can be just as valuable like the droids even though their skills are different, they both play crucial roles. 3PO can communicate in many languages, while R2-D2 is a tech-genius. By saying this you show that even if your skills aren't a perfect match, you can contribute uniquely & having a team with diverse skills, you can help tackle a variety of challenges.

If an interviewer asks questions that don't match your skillset, confidently seek clarity on the skills they're seeking for the role. Highlight your strengths and explain how your existing skills can contribute effectively to achieving their desired goals. This demonstrates your proactive approach to understanding the role and showcases your ability to adapt and contribute positively to the team.

If you feel the interview is veering off track or focusing on areas that don't align with your expertise, politely ask for clarification. This can help you understand the interviewer's perspective and steer the conversation back to your strengths.

Use this opportunity to highlight your strengths and relevant experience in robotics. Even if the questions seem off-topic, find ways to connect them to your robotics background and accomplishments.

Emphasize any transferable skills you have that are relevant to the robotics field. For example, problem-solving, critical thinking, and programming skills are valuable in robotics and can be applied to various aspects of the job.

Although the questions were not directly related to robotics, I made sure to highlight my strong problem-solving skills and ability to work with complex systems, which are crucial in robotics.

In the story "The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov, Multivac is a supercomputer that solves complex problems, but only when asked the right questions, similarly, in an interview, asking insightful questions can guide the conversation toward your areas of expertise & show your value to the company. You could say something like, It reminds me of Asimov's story where an AI could answer the most important question only after multiple attempts & changes in perspective, If we discuss the specific applications of robotics in this role, I can show how my experience & skills align with your needs, also, asking about the Co. current projects & challenges in robotics helps me better understand your approach and discuss how I can contribute to the team.

Demonstrate your enthusiasm for robotics and the role. Expressing genuine interest can help shift the focus back to your qualifications and passion for the field

Despite the unexpected focus of the interview, I maintained my enthusiasm for robotics and shared my excitement about the opportunity to contribute to the company's robotics projects.

Since I was a child, I've always loved robots, when I was very young, my dad showed me an old German film called "Metropolis" directed by Fritz Lang and released in 1927, the movie is a great classic of silent cinema and one of the first science fiction works, known for its impressive set design and the iconic robot, Maria. It was in the era of Star Wars (1987) that I went to a robotics camp & built my first small robot, which I named Maria in honor of the robot from "Metropolis". Everyone has a different source of inspiration for their passion for robots, leading to a variety of skills and strengths, these skills will be invaluable in this new era for tech companies and soon for many other industries.

Use the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the company's robotics projects and how your skills can contribute to their success. This shows your proactive approach and interest in the role.

A robotics project, no matter how basic it may be, requires more skills than we might think. Even if the primary outcome of your project showcases a specific skill, you should also be able to tailor your story to match the required skill. It's all about storytelling and how you can persuade the interviewer that you are willing to learn that skill, even if you are not proficient at it. I use most of my robotics experiences to demonstrate my leadership abilities during HR rounds. I provide them with the management aspect of the story, such as budget and resource management, team management, and so on.