&gt; Your HR department has a list of &#x27;potential hires&#x27; to replace any position in your company at a moments notice. The quickest way to build a bad reputation is to think you are not replaceable and act accordingly.<p>Things are probably the other way around. Don&#x27;t take the job if you think that you will be easily replaceable. In that case, take another job.<p>&gt; you will be judged by your previous experience and projects ...<p>Never apply for a &quot;job&quot;. Always apply for a project, or rather, do your own project, if you can.<p>What matters, is what the project at hand is all about, and if you have the ability to do it. Discussing unrelated issues about credentials or unrelated previous experience, is a sign that the person in front of you has time to waste; his own time, but also yours. That is a red flag.