Unable to crack technical interviews for Hardware Design roles (Board design)

Cisco
cCjh87

Go to company page Cisco

cCjh87
Aug 25, 2021 12 Comments

I have so far interviewed at least 30times in the past year from Aug 2020 till today. Some, i made it to last round, but most of them i get screened out in first technical screen.
The companies vary from Apple, Amazon, Tesla to startups.
Problem is, it feels like I’m ‘very good’ but not the ‘best’. I can almost sense it during my calls that I’m performing well but the interviewer is not happy with maybe one or two questions that i answered. Sometimes, i also receive feedback saying i am a great candidate, but they just found someone with higher experience, or they ask me to keep in touch (Usual stuff..)
This is taking toll on me, i know i am good, but maybe just a notch lower from the best. It does take a toll on self confidence but i manage to muster up again and put myself for one more interview hoping now i will crack this.
Also, the knowledge and depth for board design is so vast that, even if i know things i might not remember them at that very moment during the call. And there are not many practice websites for circuit design/pcb design/embedded electronics on the web like SW engineering does.

How do i break out if this cycle? I have invested a complete year making notes, being more aware at current job, learning, making notes of my mistakes, but still no luck.

YoE 4yrs

#hardware #interview #pcbdesign #electronics

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TOP 12 Comments
  • Intel / Eng
    MissTitan

    Go to company page Intel Eng

    BIO
    Nope.
    MissTitan
    You’ve probably heard this, but keep trying. They can’t reject you every single time. If you’re hitting that one year mark with companies that have a cool down period, get in touch with the recruiter for another interview. They may fast forward your candidature to a direct onsite the second time around. I don’t have as much YOE as you, but after 2 years of doing absolutely nothing (in terms of interview prep, not current job), I got contacted by a bunch of recruiters since July and went ahead with the process for 3 companies with the mindset “they can’t reject me every time, I’ll just do my best” and was successful every time! Just keep trying :)
    Aug 25, 2021 3
  • SCIEX
    qreT74

    SCIEX

    qreT74
    When working at PC board level, it’s like college, need to keep reading even after years of industrial experience. It’s a very broad spectrum domain.

    What particular field or subject is bothering you… or say you are trying to crack down. May be you do a hands on project if you have not done specifically on that…
    Jan 26 1
    • Cisco
      KuWI75

      Go to company page Cisco

      KuWI75
      @qreT74 yes, i have re revising all my college material at very basic level too. Pcb design maybe is my weak point. Since i do not deal with direct fabricators and ODMs i feel there is lack in my understanding or how to deal with conflict situations at ODM. So i started working on my signal integrity principles and going through cad layouts in deep. Some lack of knowledge in architecture design using fpgas.

      I will try your suggestion of hands on project. Thank you
      Jan 26
  • Google
    XYZu85

    Go to company page Google

    XYZu85
    (paraphrasing what others have already said)
    You have 2 options - give up or try again. If you give up, you are not gonna get anywhere, so you might as well keep trying.
    Ask the interviewer for direct feedback...like which of your answers could have been better. This should tell you where/what to concentrate on for your next interview.
    Not all interviewers are good, so pick a good one to ask.
    Aug 28, 2021 1
    • Cisco
      KuWI75

      Go to company page Cisco

      KuWI75
      Hi @XYZu85 , i have always asked for feedback but i have rarely gotten any direct feedback ever, they always state that it’s company policy. I feel this is so unfair for anybody to not get the feedback, unlike them, when the companies ask you to fill feedback surveys of the overall interview experience. The only company i have ever gotten feedback for one interview is Apple. And I’m so glad tht they accepted my request.
      Sep 25, 2021
  • Nuage Networks / Eng
    NoDrama

    Go to company page Nuage Networks Eng

    PRE
    Apple
    NoDrama
    Op, if you can post what you experience has been, projects you have worked one, your responsibilities then maybe I can help prepare for the interview.
    Aug 26, 2021 2
  • Google
    lTkR36

    Go to company page Google

    lTkR36
    Do you feel confident after the interview? Sometimes it's not about the technical skills that you have. I had pretty good success interviewing last year. DM me if you would like to chat.
    Nov 11, 2021 0