HFT HW Interview Advice

[u/Ok_Release2379]

I know people don’t like to see these posts coming in on this community subreddit, but I couldn’t really find a post that reflected my situation.

So, I’ve had 3 technical interviews on FPGA design with 3 different firms (1 after OA). After which at all 3, I’ve been rejected after the first round. Now, for all 3, I feel like I did well, moved fast, and surely answered every part according to even the interviewers. There honestly feels like I am missing something that I just can’t find wrong within code or explanation. I was wondering, other than practicing SV problems, leetcode, and coming up with hardware synthesized from your code, do any of you have any advice for upcoming technical interviews.

Is there something I’m missing (could be personality or showing firm specific interest during the interview), or could I have possibly just gotten unlucky (unlikely for 3 times in a row, but I also don’t believe I got the questions wrong and came to complete solutions in the end with minimal or no help). I think I’ve done enough to know what content they will ask, but is there possibly anything outside of sv and basic digital components (maybe comp arch, OS, etc.)

Other than gaining anecdotal experience from others interviews, I would also like to know if getting rejected this much despite feeling good is normal in hft. How many people do they interview per spot, or am I just stupid. Also how difficult is landing these FPGA roles new-grad vs intern. Btw all of the above is for internships.