Hi all,
I agree that is is a big problem when a hiring company asks for specifit tool experience and doesn't realize the wonderfully qualified people that rules out. On the other hand, as a designer maybe we should find creative ways to get through that part of the process and land the interview and maybe even the job. We need to sell ourselves and our qualifications! If we go into the interview apologizing because we don't know the tool, or worse yet don't apply for the job because we don't know the tool then we are 100% certain we won't get the job.
Often, the HR department does the interviewing and they only know what to ask for based on what the engineering manager told them. If you hear of a job at a company you are interested and they use a different tool, why not call the engineering manager directly and let them know who you are, that you are interested, have all these wonderful qualifications, that you will quickly learn their tool, and that you would love to send them your resume directly. In other words, be proactive... and be tenacious. Say what you can do for them and then go do it. If available, download a free version of the tool and begin to familiarize yourself with it even before the interview. Yes it takes a bit of effort, but the question becomes, is the job is worth it? Give them a list of your accomplishments and while they may not be in the exact area they are looking for, they will show your abilities. Tell them what classes you have attended and/or what books you have read and are anxious to discu!
ss with them and implement into their designs. Enthusiasm always gets you points.
I have changed jobs many times to a company that used a tool I did not know, so I know that while not easy, it can be done. When hired, it is then MY responsibility to learn to use the tool VERY well and be sure I am as valuable as I said I would be in the interview. Of course I know that this does not always work, but the point is to find a way to let the prospective company know what you can do for them!
As to the Cadence/Mentor issue, I do not believe it is a good thing for them to merge and I hope it does not happen. Mentor has been a big advocate for designers in many, many ways. We as designers would lose more than the use of a specific tool and the extra cost of buying from the only company in town. We would also lose a company that has generously supported designers with conferences, awards, free seminars, free training, and various other programs. It would be a great loss because they are an example to other tool manufacturers of how to be involved with the designers they serve.
And to clarify.... no, I don't currently use any of the Mentor tools. I just believe in their methodology.
Thanks,
Susy
>
> From: Denis Lefebvre <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2008/06/18 Wed AM 08:31:03 CDT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [DC] Cadence / Mentor News?
>
> > After all we are Designers... not Tool specific users.
>
> In theory you are right, but that is just not true in practice.
> If you are looking for a job, see if you get an offer from an employer
> that uses tool X when your recent experience is with tool Y. It just
> doesn't happen - even if you have many more years of relevant experience
> than the other applicants, dude, you ain't gettin' the job.
>
> Denis Lefebvre, CID+
> Sr. PCB Designer
> Finisar Corporation <http://www.finisar.com/>
> (408)542-3832
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Brooks, Bill
> Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2:40 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [DC] Cadence / Mentor News?
>
>
>
>
>
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