From Frustration to Success: My Journey to a Dream Job

I will never forget the anxiety and frustration that I felt during my technical interview. After being rejected by multiple companies like Intel, Analog Devices, and Infineon Tech, I was sleep-deprived, food-deprived, and completely lacking in happiness and peace. Yet, out of these deprivations, a glimmer of hope emerged, leading me to my first job at ARM, specifically as a Digital IC Design Engineer.

A Fateful Interview

The interview began with a question that seemed straightforward: 'Define/synthesise synchronous and asynchronous resets in a digital circuit.' However, my approach—heavy on coding and light on circuit design—missed the mark. Here's how it went:

Your answer is incorrect... long pause... but I do think you might be a good fit for his team.

Despite the 'incorrect' tag and the suffocating silence, the interviewer's final words hinted at a silver lining. He referred to me as a potential fit for the CPU team, which, in hindsight, provided the perfect context for my response.

A Circuit of Errors

Here is the fragmented code I scribbled down in my exhaustion:

Synchronous Reset

if clk1 and clk event t{
tif reset1
tt{
tttoutput 0
tt}telse
tt{
tttoutput perform the logic
tt}t}

Asynchronous Reset

if reset1
t{
toutput0
t}
else
tif clk1 and clk event
t{
toutput perform the logic
t}

While my approach might have been technically sound, it lacked the necessary depth and clarity required to explain the concepts. This approach falls short in the context of a digital circuit design interview where visual and conceptual understanding are key.

Second Interview: The Turning Point

Unbeknownst to me, the first interviewer was part of the CPU team at ARM, where digital circuits were primarily represented in high-level design languages (HDL). He valued the way I approached the problem, capturing the essence of the logic rather than getting lost in the weeds of circuit diagrams.

The second interview was a breeze, lasting just ten minutes. We delved into my master's thesis, which, having been the result of my own work, was a smooth conversation. By the end of it, I was a shortlisted candidate heading to the HR round, which was virtually effortless.

A Lesson in Perspective

This experience taught me several valuable lessons. First, it highlighted the importance of context in interviews, where a candidate's answer might be well-received or misunderstood based on the interviewer's expertise. Second, it underscored the value of clear and concise communication, especially in technical fields. Finally, it reaffirmed my belief in the impact of perseverance, even in the face of initial setbacks.

Looking back, the success of my interview with ARM was not just about technical prowess but also about showcasing my problem-solving approach and adaptability. It was a defining moment in my career, and I am grateful for the journey that led me to ARM and its prestigious CPU team.