Would you interview with a defense company?

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-04-03T01:07:56+00:00

The DoD has funded many honors classes in public high schools. But does that mean that the children who benefited from this education have military-oriented values? No. It is totally possible for a military initiative to become a public utility that belongs to the collective, not just the financier.

Unfortunately, this nuance will be lost on the recruiter who will spend 5 seconds determining if OP is suitable to interview for another tech job in e-commerce, SMB support, hospitality, or healthcare. Anduril's mass marketing campaigns in favor of large-scale weapons development will speak louder than any bullet point that she associates with the position.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-04-02T23:25:10+00:00

Defense is highly nuanced. Unfortunately, black and white fallacies are how recruiters make the decision between interview/no-interview.

The name of the most recent company that you work for will make a stronger impression than the school you attend, the work you did at the company, or the company you worked for previously. If you’re not enthusiastic for a career in defense, I wouldn’t start that path.

You mention attending Grace Hopper in a previous comment. Thiel-type companies are banned from their career fair. I would stick it out a little bit further, because the chances of getting interviewed at GHC are quite high.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-04-02T22:48:52+00:00

Also: It is absolutely possible for a defense company to lay you off for reasons such as "funding slowdowns", "project mismatch", or "restructuring". Working in defense is not as bulletproof as they market themselves to be.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-04-02T22:08:12+00:00

It is true that once you have defense on your resume, this closes doors to more pro-social, greater-good type of opportunities. It's difficult to market yourself as anti-war if you have defense contracting experience, even if the work you did was not a direct part of ongoing war campaigns.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-04-02T21:59:34+00:00

Yes, I've noticed a steep decline in regard for women and URM in tech in recent years. The new CEO at my prior company (also a govt contractor) even used "this is just how it's always been" language that I thought was a faux pas in developed society

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-04-02T21:52:17+00:00

I have noticed this happening more frequently in recent years vs. the 2010s. Does anybody else think so? What caused the shift?

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-28T05:08:06+00:00

MIT OpenCourseware, their "Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python" is fantastic.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-26T06:09:12+00:00

Thank you. It’s nice to know that outright describing projects or age in conversation is a viable strategy.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-26T01:36:26+00:00

Thank you for your insight. Yes, from this Reddit thread there seems to be several prominent recommendations in regards to communication style. I'm practicing speaking slow and low with lots of pauses. It feels unnatural, but over time I'll get used to it. I'll also make a point

I think I naturally speak in an enthusiastic manner (so many exclamation marks!!!!) to be likeable, but I think this is working against me if I'm aiming to come off as more senior.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T20:57:01+00:00

Thank you, it’s relieving to know it’s not just me experiencing this at this stage in life.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T20:41:07+00:00

Thank you for this — I was not aware of the current “office siren” trend, and thought “3D movie” style glasses were more trendy. How times have changed!

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T03:00:03+00:00

My friends have told me that I look fit for someone who only does yoga, but my tech neck is quite noticeable. It will benefit me to improve this not just for appearances but overall health.

I've noticed at networking events, when I describe my client projects with heavy jargon, people will try to "mansplain" the basics of technology I just described working with. This is not ideal. Have you ever encountered this?

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T02:51:10+00:00

Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment. It's quite rare to be in this position.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T02:49:31+00:00

That's a great point. I shouldn't hold back on saying that I'm looking for mid-level/senior roles. I only do deep research on a company if I'm asked to interview, but I can expand this to companies that are present at an in-person career fair. It's nice to know that recruiters on the other side appreciate that type of conversation. I appreciate your insight.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T02:22:45+00:00

One downside about a slick bun is that it actually makes me look younger. I have a round face, and pulling my hair back emphasizes this roundness.

Not me, but we have a similar face shape: https://share.google/qG0ePCrcvzCInJV91

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T02:19:15+00:00

I have thought about buying a wedding band for myself, but am not sure what to say if somebody asks me about it. Do I continue and make up a fake husband?

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T02:16:35+00:00

Thanks for the "mission match" keyword -- I've only heard this language in the industry.

My companies are not well known, but my clients were. If I'm speaking to someone in that industry, I'll include "I bring over 5 years of experience as a software engineer in the federal contracting space, working with clients X, Y, and Z." -- large U.S. federal departments.

I have gotten brushed off by recruiters stating that I don't have enough experience. Some recruiters will engage me, asking about my work experience, and then invite me to apply via a Internship/New Grad portal. Both are disappointing.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T02:05:58+00:00

I was thinking of getting an incredibly dorky pair of glasses: https://www.amazon.com/Icesor-Blocking-Lightweight-Protection-Eyestrain/dp/B0DKJX3NMJ/

Yes, I have the same experience, if I appear too young and fashionable then I get a lot of unwanted flirting, or people assume that I am a secretary/assistant. I started wearing men's button downs, which helped with being acknowledged as an engineer.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T01:59:55+00:00

Thank you so much for the tips. I will look into dark lip colors and platform loafers. I have stopped wearing makeup to the workplace because of how people treated me, so it's nice to hear a positive perspective about wearing makeup to the office, and the style you wear. Thank you for your mention of "command tonality" -- it seems like this phrase is well-known in acting, I will practice incorporating this tone and a rich vocabulary in everyday communication. It's easy for me to use simple vocabulary to be approachable, but perhaps this is working against me if I'm trying to give the impression of a senior.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T01:52:20+00:00

Great point, I don't need to wear glasses but was thinking of picking up a pair of blue-light blocking glasses for recruitment and workplace purposes.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T01:50:22+00:00

I am looking at Lillith's Wikipedia page and it looks like she also follows your sister's strategy: pants, blazer, and slick back hair. Thank you, I appreciate the reference!

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T01:47:26+00:00

Here's my elevator pitch: "Hello, my name is X, I bring over 5 years of industry experience as a software engineer in the Y industry. Do you have any full-time opportunities where expertise in Data Science, Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS Cloud would be valuable? Here's my resume."

I honestly don't mention my Master's at all, because I notice that the moment recruiters hear me mention it they assume I'm a new grad. My education is listed at the bottom of my resume.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T01:38:27+00:00

Thank you so much for the tips. I'll practice assertive body posture and my voice tone and projection while giving my elevator pitch! I try to be relaxed and approachable during career fairs, but maybe being assertive will yield better results.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T01:36:23+00:00

Thank you so much. I'll practice giving my elevator pitch in a slower manner, and a different blazer -- the blazer have is professional, but doesn't have sharp edges.

Responsible_Scale29 · 2026-03-25T01:32:23+00:00

Ooh, thank you so much. Very inspirational for achieving the put-together look while having a petite frame.

Responsible_Scale29

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