views:

126

answers:

5

I have a job interview next week that requires me to be able to demonstrate the following skills:

  • C
  • C++
  • SystemC
  • 3D
  • Video
  • Digital communication
  • RTL (register transfer level)

Usually before an interview, I create a quick application just to refresh my knowledge of all the skills required, but I can't think how to combine all of these into one application... Any ideas?

My weaknesses are SystemC, RTL, and video. And, I'm slightly unsure what exactly they mean by digital communication, as this is a very broad subject -- Hopefully they're referring to the IP suite?

+3  A: 

Just relax, watch some movie, go outside. You can't refresh all your knowledge in one sweep.

Whatever is not clear, will be cleared during the interview. It's exactly the point of the meeting, to discuss what exactly one needs and what the other has to offer.

Developer Art
Hmm, maybe it doesn't work for everyone. But it really works for me, going off past experience. Must just be how my brain works.
nbolton
Could well be...
Developer Art
+1 I think this is very good advice. You're going to have strengths and weaknesses in _any_ interview, and you'll need to handle them. Go with what you know, be clear about what you don't, and communicate your ability to bridge that gap.
bedwyr
@bedwyr: Very well said!
Developer Art
+2  A: 

It's kinda late for that. Why don't you just rely on what you already know. Nobody will be happy when it turns out you're not suitable for the job but you got it anyway. You'll be the least happy.

Spend this week learning more about the company and its business segment so you can ask pointed and intelligent questions. An interview works both ways, you also need to find out if you want to work there.

Hans Passant
Sounds like sensible advice. But I really want to practice my skills! I have quite a bad memory if I haven't used something in a while, and just using it a little can make a world of difference to me.
nbolton
+1  A: 

In the context you suggest I'd be thinking that 'digital communication' means something further down the OSI stack than IP, and I'd be working up my knowledge of video-specific communications. If you are unsure don't focus too narrowly on what you think they mean. If you can't find out don't make the wrong assumptions.

High Performance Mark
A: 

I have decided to implement very small individual examples of only the technologies that I'm weak with (instead of trying to mash everything into one). I'll let you guys know how effective this turns out to be.

nbolton
+1  A: 

The best way to practice your skills is when you are confronted with a problem and need to solve it, such as those encountered while working. It's true, to get a job, you need skills, but what most recruiters look for is: if you don't have the skills, are you able to use resources that would allow you to complete the task?

In an interview for a game developer position, I was asked how I would calculate the height of the Empire State building. For every answer I gave, they told me "You can't use that, use something else." I listed nearly everything, from Google to reading blueprints to using trigonometry with laser ranging or even using a barometer (see the barometer question). What I answered did not matter, it was how many ways I could come up with to solve the same problem.

The last job I got, I didn't even get the chance to say anything in my interview. It was the big boss talking about the company and how things work there, etc. I wrote in my CV "self-taught" and it's all they needed to know. Sure, you can describe all your knowledge on paper, but can you apply it to real life situations? Most real life situations will require you to improvise a solution (AKA a hack). If you are unable to crush the wall, are you able to go around it?

What matters the most is that you rest well before your interview, get a lot of sleep, eat well, drink a lot of water (not beer), and most importantly, be yourself. It's not that great to hire an impostor, and even worse to feel you're somewhere you shouldn't be and fearing to get caught. If they hire you and you're really unable to do the job, keep trying, ask for help from your co-workers, and if it still doesn't work, you can either quit or wait to be fired, but if you wait to be fired, it might not look good to other places you'll want to work at, while quitting could be for many reasons.

Wolf
Best and most inspiring answer so far!
nbolton