SDE-1
Interview Date
December 3, 2022
Result
Selected
Difficulty
Medium
Rounds
3 rounds
Drive Type
On-Campus
Topics asked
Detailed experience
College: Not Specified
Interview Date: December 3, 2022
Interview Type: On-Campus
Result: Selected
Difficulty: Medium
Rounds: 3 rounds
Topics Asked: Data Structures and Algorithms, Projects (MERN stack), HR questions (5-year plan, short/long-term goals, other offers)
This experience details the interview process for an SDE-1 position on-campus.
Technical Round 1 (45 mins)
The interviewer began with an introduction and company achievements, followed by the candidate's self-introduction with interspersed background check questions. The interviewer asked the candidate to rate their coding skills and then presented one coding question: the N Queen Problem. The candidate provided a clear explanation and discussed edge cases, satisfying the interviewer. This round also included HR-style questions such as "where you see yourself after 5 years" and "what are your short-term and long-term goals". The round concluded positively, leaving the candidate confident.
Technical Round 2 (30 mins)
This interviewer seemed rushed. They reviewed the resume and asked superficial questions. The candidate was asked to explain their projects and questions about the technologies used (MERN stack). A puzzle was then given: "Minimum comparisons required to find the only heavier ball from N balls". The interviewer was supportive, providing hints as the candidate explored examples to find patterns.
HR Round (20 mins)
The HR interviewer introduced themselves, and surprisingly, the first technical interviewer also joined. The candidate felt positive about this, interpreting it as good feedback. Standard HR questions followed, including an inquiry about any other job offers.
General Tips: The candidate emphasized the importance of a strong understanding of Data Structures and Algorithms, sufficient practice on platforms like LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks, and being able to explain everything written on the resume clearly. Strong preparation of basics, definitions, and differences in core CS concepts was also advised.