Veteran Tech Executive Shares Insights on Job Interviews and Career Growth
Orit Greengraz, VP R&D and site manager at Cadence, a leading software company for developers and chip manufacturers, recently spoke about her experience with job interviews and career growth in the high-tech industry. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Greengraz has interviewed countless candidates for various positions and has learned valuable lessons along the way.
Greengraz’s journey in the tech world began 22 years ago when she interviewed for Varisity, which was later acquired by Cadence. Starting as a programmer, she quickly advanced in technology and management roles, ultimately becoming the VP R&D and site manager at Cadence’s development site in Petah Tikva. Reflecting on her first job interview, Greengraz recalls the high demand for tech professionals during the tech bubble. “It was a joke that anyone who knew how to press reset was accepted,” she said. Despite being a mother of small children at the time, she was recognized for her managerial potential.
Throughout her career, Greengraz has discovered the importance of not relying solely on first impressions during interviews. She realized that some candidates may take time to warm up, while others may start strong but falter when delving into details. To encourage authenticity and avoid pre-prepared answers, Greengraz starts by asking candidates to describe a project they have worked on. Through this question, she aims to uncover their expertise, work style, teamwork abilities, conflict management skills, and motivation.
Unlike traditional interview questions about strengths and weaknesses, Greengraz focuses on learning about candidates’ priorities and their reasons for leaving previous workplaces. She believes these answers provide insights into a person’s interpersonal relationships, desire for growth, and overall personality.
Sharing her personal background during interviews, Greengraz highlights her diverse career path. Before joining Cadence, she worked in various fields and startups. This diversity, coupled with her continuous development within the organization, allowed her to stay motivated and fulfilled for 22 years. Outside of work, Greengraz indulges in hobbies related to the world of art, including pottery, painting, and participating in art courses and gallery tours.
Looking ahead, Greengraz sees herself continuing to grow with Cadence and leading future technological advancements. She believes that the rapid pace of technological developments, such as deep learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, will drive constant innovation. Additionally, her passion for academia and the world of data will continue to shape her career.
Greengraz’s insights shed light on the evolving nature of job interviews and the importance of looking beyond first impressions. Her experience and success demonstrate that a diverse and continuously developing career path can lead to long-term fulfillment in the high-tech industry.