Sooner or later, every tech interview comes around to the cross-functional question. When I first heard the term, I had no idea what they were talking about. Once I realized what it meant, it seemed like a ridiculous concept.
“Wow, you’re able to interact with people who have a different background or job category? What magical potential.”
After all, at least in the part of government I came out of, there was nothing special about being cross-functional. To be successful, or even slightly average, working with other teams and across specialties was just another day at the office. Tech people throw this term around like it’s a gold standard. I did this my whole USG career, and Silicon Valley thinks it’s some sort of special talent?
What is remarkable for those of you targeting a tech career, coming at it with an unorthodox background, is the cross-functional aspect of your background. It, too, can span teams and specialties. Your potential is not limited to a single vertical or industry.
Harness the cross-functional topic to demonstrate the universality of your skillset. The hardest part of the interview process is convincing the doubters that you can do the job. If you lack their cookie-cutter requirements, the deck is stacked against you. Don’t miss out on chances to reframe the discourse.
"Cross-functional" refers to activities, projects, or teams that involve multiple