A Champion’s Perspective: Don’t Be Afraid of the Humble Brag
The gap between “we're impressed" and “you're hired" is narrower than you think. We asked KC TechBridge Champion Ashley Hassanzadeh, senior talent acquisition partner at WellSky, for tips that move candidates into the “yes" pile. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: Thinking about successful early‑career or first‑role tech hires in the last 1–2 years, what concrete things did they do in that last mile that differentiated them from other qualified candidates?
Positive interview behaviors make a huge difference. The strongest candidates come prepared!
Research the company and team, ask your recruiter what to expect, and use any tips they share.
They’re expressive and engaging in their communication style, show adaptability, and clearly articulate intent: Why this role? Why this company? Why this industry?
They ask thoughtful questions like, “What does a typical day look like? How often are 1:1s? What’s a typical career path? “
They confidently highlight past projects that made a real impact (not afraid to humblebrag!) and demonstrate a strong ability to learn quickly.
Q: KC TechBridge’s goal is to change how jobs connect to talent, specifically high-demand and high-wage jobs that can increase economic mobility. What specific actions could most effectively strengthen that last mile for learners in this region?
Be intentional about the roles or industries you’re targeting and make that clear on your resume and in interviews. Take time to include relevant details, like tech stack and your individual contributions from your capstone project, and leave off unrelated jobs (that summer bartending gig from two years ago doesn’t help here!).
Use AI to enhance your resume, but only after you’ve written it yourself. Don’t blindly copy and paste; make sure it accurately reflects your experience and adds value.
Q: If you were sitting with a group of pending tech graduates in Kansas City today, what are the top 3 pieces of advice you would give them to successfully navigate the last mile into their first tech role with your company?
Research the company: understand their mission, culture, and tech stack.
Practice interview questions: look up common questions for your target roles and “interview yourself.” Write down your answers to help lock them in.
Get feedback on your resume: share it with as many people as possible (professional contacts, family, friends) and ask for honest input.
Want to be part of shaping KC's tech talent future? Stay connected with KC TechBridge for upcoming workshops and opportunities to contribute.
