Synopsys Inc

I think “Tell us about yourself” might be the most dreaded question you can get during a job interview, regardless of your experience level. You never know, should you recite your CV in your own words, should you tell something additional to what is already in it, should you dance, cry, or give up from the start.

When I remember my student years and preparation for the interviews, this question was killing me. I have read a lot of articles of HR specialists giving advice on the matter. It was very helpful.

This time we decided to check with our managers what they are looking for as an answer to that question during Synopsys job interviews.

Of course, Synopsys is a multi-national company, each country has its own specificities, cultural peculiarities and each manager is different. There is no one answer to the question. Our managers from different parts of Europe decided to share with you a few tips to be well prepared for your next interview.

I am ready!
We are not going to state the obvious by saying that you should prepare beforehand. Maybe you are that talented person, who can “nail” the story ‘on the fly’, but for most of us it is hard to be concise and on point without preparing beforehand. So, take the job description, research the company and craft your experience tailored to both.

Short and sweet
Keep it under 2 minutes. You might think: “I am a student, it won’t be difficult for me to keep it short as I don’t have much experience to tell anyway”. Not true. You still have a unique story to tell and the value you can bring to the company. Our managers highlighted that you should understand what you want and know precisely what you wish to accomplish at Synopsys.

Occam’s Razor
To paraphrase the principle of Occam’s Razor, keep it short but tell everything you need to showcase yourself.

• For your response to be clear and concise, you can organize your answer one of these 2 ways:
  • Present, past and future
  • Past, present and future

• Mention experiences and successes as they relate to the job
  • highlight any relevant courses, projects, or extracurricular activities
• Focus on strengths and abilities supported with examples.
  • notable achievements, awards, and recognitions

This is me!
Don’t be afraid to open up. It is important for our managers to see who you are. When asked about most memorable candidates, our managers recalled stories that incorporated intriguing personal experiences, such as unique hobbies, extraordinary adventures, or notable books the candidate had read. These personal stories allowed the Hiring Managers to better understand the candidate's personality, interests, and passions, which they found quite appealing. Thus, incorporating such stories into your response can make you stand out and leave a lasting impression on the Hiring Managers.

Be confident!
Don’t worry, our managers strive to create a comfortable and stress-free interview atmosphere for candidates. This helps you to present yourself confidently and demonstrate your skills and aspirations effectively.

Key Takeaways
Research our company, read the job description, remember all your great accomplishments in school and beyond and blend it in to a unique story that you can tell us.

Be prepared, be precise, be true, be yourself, and above it all, be passionate.

We look forward to getting to know you and welcoming you in Synopsys!