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by BurningFrog 3340 days ago
> In this question, 100% of developers have an answer.

Sorry, I don't.

The story I would tell if asked this was solved by the guy I was pairing with. He knew about URL encoding images, which immediately solved something we could have worked for weeks on. I was very surprised and impressed. Of course, now that is part of my toolbox, and I wouldn't think much of solving something else this way.

Sometimes I solve problems easily that others find very hard. I'm glad I could help, but I don't go around feeling proud of how awesome I did that day. I just happened to know something others didn't yet.

This might sound like humblebragging, and perhaps it is. Just trying to explain why I have a hard time with this question.

2 comments

How long have you been working for?

It just sounds kinda sad to say that you've never been proud of work you've done. I think if I was never proud of the work I'd done I wouldn't still be doing this job: a feeling of reward is important!

Think of it this way: the question isn't for you, it's for the interviewer. He/she wants to know if you're smart enough to work for him. So answering that co-worker Paul had this problem that he'd been battling for days and then he finally came to you for help, and explaining how you helped him is a valid answer. It gives the interviewer the insight he's looking for and make you look good.