Microchip Technology Field / Application Engineer Interview Questions
& Process

I applied for a job in San Jose, CA. I had one phone interview. Then, I had an onsite interview with 6 people and 2 people interviewed me over the phone. Everyone was really nice, but they all seemed stressed out. The offer I received was terrible and way below the market value for the bay area. I don't recommend wasting your time. Microcheap: if you want to hire top talent, you should pay employees at or above market value. If your offer is well below market value, you should let people know before the interview. You can't hire in the bay area with Arizona's salary, especially if the environment is stressful and work-life balance is bad.

A headhunter reached out via Monster. The interview process was pretty standard: I did well on the phone screen, and then they flew me out. It felt like a gauntlet, much like one I heard about previously. When I asked the manager about the project they had in mind for me, he suggested I should figure it out, implying I'd be doing his job for less pay. This, plus when they tried to get me to criticize a past employer, made me tune out. HR also mentioned that the lower cost of living was their justification for a lowball offer. Given recent legislation in AZ, I'd avoid working in that state and am glad they didn't pick me, as I would have declined anyway.

The interview process is quite extensive, lasting the entire day, which was unexpected and different from other companies. Be ready to use a whiteboard for problem-solving and explanations. Overall, it was a positive experience. You'll meet with multiple interviewers sequentially throughout the day, and they'll host you for lunch. Since I traveled from out of state, they covered my travel expenses, including flights, car rental, accommodation, and meals during the interview.