Had another interview yesterday. Everything was going great until they asked: "So tell us about your experience with prompt engineering and AI workflow optimization."I'm sitting there like... what? This was for a React developer position. Entry level.The job posting literally said "Junior Frontend Developer - React experience preferred." Sounds normal, right? Wrong. The interview was basically an AI interrogation. They spent 45 minutes asking about ChatGPT APIs instead of, you know, actual React code. Then they wanted to see my "AI-enhanced codebases" - like bro, I'm trying to get my first real job, not revolutionize artificial intelligence.My favorite question was when they asked how I'd "optimize prompts for code generation efficiency." I said I use ChatGPT to help debug and learn new concepts. Apparently that makes me a beginner. They need someone "more advanced than that."The kicker? This company's website is a basic landing page that probably took 2 hours to build. But sure, they need an AI expert for their junior position.What I actually know: React, Next.js, JavaScript for 3+ years. Node.js that I'm actively learning. I can build apps that work. I use AI tools to be more productive, like a normal person.What they apparently wanted: Some wizard who speaks fluent LangChain and dreams in semantic search algorithms.Is this the new reality? Should I be spending my weekends becoming a prompt engineer instead of learning system design? Or are companies just throwing AI buzzwords around because they heard it makes them sound smart?Because honestly, when did "junior developer" become "AI researcher who also happens to code"?Anyone else dealing with this madness?
Watch them stumble around because most have no clue.That, that š«µš»Honey, you just experienced the tech industry's midlife crisis in real time! šI've been doing this for 12 years and let me tell you - every few years there's a new buzzword that hiring managers latch onto without understanding it. Remember when every job needed "blockchain experience"? Or when "full-stack" meant you had to know 47 different frameworks?Half these interviewers couldn't explain prompt engineering if their stock options depended on it. They just know it sounds important.What I tell junior devs, master the basics first. I'd rather hire someone who writes clean, readable React code than someone who can generate spaghetti code with fancy AI prompts.And honestly? That company sounds like they're trying too hard. Good companies ask about problem-solving, not buzzword bingo.Keep your head up. The market is weird right now, but solid developers always find good homes. Just maybe avoid companies whose interviews sound like they were conducted by a chatbot! š¤
Just need to vent and maybe get some advice. I run an appliance repair business, been grinding for 4 years doing everything "right" according to SEO guides:Unique content for each service pageProper schema markupGoogle Business Profile fully optimizedBuilding real local backlinks Getting tons of genuine 5-star reviewsNAP consistency everywhereThen I discover this competitor who's straight up DOMINATING every city in our state with clearly auto-generated pages. Like literally 1000+ pages following the same template:/service-city-state /appliance-repair-[city]-[state] /emergency-repair-[city]-[state]The worst part? Their content is basically identical for every city, just swapping city names. No unique info, no real value, just mass-produced BS. And Google LOVES it! They're ranking top 3 for every damn city.Meanwhile, I'm here spending weeks writing unique content for each location, doing proper competitor and demographic research, adding actual local information... for what?I checked in ahrefs - they built these pages 6 months ago and have been crushing it since. Same DA as me, similar backlink profile.Am I missing something? Should I just give up and do what they're doing? Seems like Google rewards this crap while punishing those who follow their guidelines.What would you do in my position? Keep grinding the "right" way or switch to mass location pages?
@heroappliances Let me add some real talk about appliance repair SEO since that's your world:Look, I've seen dozens like your competitor. Here's what's really happening:Their 1000+ doorway pages work because:Super consistent NAP everywhereThose 5 legit GMB profiles do the heavy liftingEach auto page points to the nearest real locationTheir basic template:"Emergency service!""All brands!"[City] coverage areaGeneric service listWikipedia city infoContact formHere's your move - instead of that garbage, do this:Real response times for specific neighborhoodsActual recent job photos (Google loves this)Customer reviews from that zoneLocal parts suppliers you work withCommon problems in that areaTrust me, their conversion rate is trash. Sure they rank, but good luck getting calls from auto-generated BS.I've helped 3 appliance businesses fix this exact mess in the past 6 months. DM if you want me to take a look at your site.Remember: Rankings are cool, but calls pay bills. Build pages that actually help people find you when their fridge dies at 2am.
Look, I've been on both sides of this - hiring and getting hired on Upwork. And I gotta tell you, these AI-generated cover letters are becoming a huge pet peeve when I'm reviewing applications.Here's the thing: I can spot an AI-written cover letter from a mile away. That perfectly polished, soulless writing style? Yeah, it's like getting a form letter from a robot trying really hard to sound human. And when I see one on Upwork, I usually move it straight to the "probably not" pile.Why? Because:It screams "I couldn't be bothered to write my own thoughts"In my experience, these applications are way more likely to be from people who aren't actually qualified or serious about the jobIt's just... impersonal. Like, I want to hire a human, not ChatGPTNow, I'm not anti-AI. Using AI to polish your grammar or structure? Totally fine. Having it help you organize your thoughts? Go for it. But letting it write the whole thing? That's where I draw the line.The best cover letters I've seen are slightly imperfect but genuine. They show personality, directly address the job requirements, and actually sound like they were written by someone who read the job posting.What's your take on this? Are you using AI for your Upwork proposals? And if you're hiring, can you actually tell the difference?
Ugh, THIS. šListen, it's gotten so bad that almost all my Upwork job postings now get flooded with these AI-written proposals that all sound exactly the same. And the worst part? Some folks don't even bother to check what the AI spits out - I had someone apply recently where their cover letter was responding to requirements I didn't even list!Here's my automatic reject list:Proposals that start with that overly formal "I am writing to express my keen interest..." (Just talk like a normal person!)Those that somehow manage to be both extremely detailed and completely vague at the same timeCover letters that read like they were written by a corporate robot trying to sound humanAnd don't even get me started on Upwork's AI evaluation tool - it actually FAVORS these AI-written proposals! I turned that garbage off real quick.Look, I get it. You're trying to be efficient, save time, whatever. But here's the thing - I'm not looking for perfection. I'm looking for someone who actually read my job post and took 5 minutes to write their own thoughts about it. Even if it's not perfectly polished.Pro tip: If you're going to use AI (which honestly, fine for grammar and structure), at least read what it wrote and make it sound like YOU. Because right now, I'm getting the same cover letter 20 times with slightly different words, and it's driving me nuts.NOTE: And no, starting your cover letter with "BANANA" because ChatGPT told you to doesn't make it better. Yes, this actually happened. š¤¦āāļø
