I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Garmin (Kansas City, KS) in Oct 2013
Interview
Job application began with an online job advertisement. It led to a phone interview with an HR representative.
During the phone interview I was drilled about my resume (line by line in the "experience" section). I was asked about "PCB design experience" for each different job*, though I stated in first five minutes of the interview that I had none in my standard coursework. (However, I worked with PCB assembly for an entire summer.)
The interview had zero behavioral questions and was exclusively based on technical experience. Worse yet, the HR representative had no design knowledge to ascertain the quality of my answers. (I had to explain to her what an inductor does at one point.) Each statement I made was followed by notes being taken. No real conversation was possible.
Towards the end of the interview, I was assured that Garmin valued my time and told they looked for the "most technical candidates" only. If they liked my profile, I would be called on-site for a technical interview with an engineer.
I wasn't called back, but I did receive an impersonal rejection email three weeks later. I've since been rejected without communication from several other positions, all of which my credentials met some or all requirements.
*My summers during college went as follows: summer class and a PCB assembly job, summer class, and a volunteer leadership role at a life skills program for college students. I'm now a senior who will graduate from a difficult Electrical Engineering program (possibly cum laude) in only four years. My representative responded, "No internship. Interesting..."
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is the most difficult design challenge you've ever faced, and how did you overcome it?
The phone screen was pretty chill. They asked a lot about my resume and past work/internship experiences. It was mostly very behavioral, only a few questions were asked about basic technical understanding.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was the hardest circuit design project you've ever worked on?
I applied through college or university. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Garmin (Kansas City, KS) in Feb 2024
Interview
They are elitists and will not consider average students yet complain about work ethic ironic I think not but best of luck. There salary also isn't as competitive as they would like to think overall a big no from me
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 5 weeks. I interviewed at Garmin (Olathe, KS) in Sep 2021
Interview
There are three interviews and the process should take about one to two months. The first interview is to determine if you are eligible and would be a good candidate. The second one is to test your technical knowledge. The third one is to determine if you are a good fit.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why did you choose Engineering?
What do you do at your current job?
What is an op amp and how does it operate?
What is an RC circuit and how does it operate?