I think you're right in thinking the "wrong kind of opinionated".
I'm pretty f'ing opinionated about certain things and those are not trivial things - testing for instance.
I'm also opinionated about languages but I can clearly articulate why I would choose python over ruby and vice versa in any given situation. Same goes for rdbms vs. schemaless data stores.
Some of my favorite and best interviews have been geeking out discussing technology with a potential employeer.
What was really left out was "make friends with a trusted geek". Have someone you can call on to perform the interview on your behalf. I have pretty solid bullshit detector and have frequently helped out friends who couldn't find a technical resource to perform a phone screen.
Maybe they should have drawn a distinction between "Opinionated because they're ignorant" and "Appears opinionated because they're committed to principles which may be inconvenient."
I'm pretty f'ing opinionated about certain things and those are not trivial things - testing for instance.
I'm also opinionated about languages but I can clearly articulate why I would choose python over ruby and vice versa in any given situation. Same goes for rdbms vs. schemaless data stores.
Some of my favorite and best interviews have been geeking out discussing technology with a potential employeer.
What was really left out was "make friends with a trusted geek". Have someone you can call on to perform the interview on your behalf. I have pretty solid bullshit detector and have frequently helped out friends who couldn't find a technical resource to perform a phone screen.