Full Stack Developer (SDE-1/SDE-2)
Interview Date
Not Specified (Process over a month, post dated Nov 2024)
Result
Rejected
Difficulty
Hard (Implied by multiple rounds and complexity)
Rounds
7 rounds (Online Assessment, 4 main technical rounds, 2 additional rounds)
Drive Type
Full-Time
Topics asked
Detailed experience
College: Not Specified
Interview Date: Not Specified (Process over a month, post dated Nov 2024)
Interview Type: Full-Time
Result: Rejected
Difficulty: Hard (Implied by multiple rounds and complexity)
Rounds: 7 rounds (Online Assessment, 4 main technical rounds, 2 additional rounds)
Topics Asked: Data Structures, Algorithms, System Design, Role Specialization (Full Stack), Behavioral, OOPS
The candidate, with 2.5 years of experience, was approached for a Full Stack Developer role, initially assuming it was for SDE-2, but later learned it was for SDE-1. The hiring process was extensive, spanning over a month. It began with an Online Assessment (OA), which was cleared.
Round 1: DSA Interview - This round was cleared.
Round 2: System Design Interview - This round was also cleared.
Round 3: Role Specialization Interview - This round was cleared.
Round 4: Bar Raiser (Hiring Manager) - This round was cleared. After clearing all these rounds, the candidate waited for feedback. A week later, HR informed them they had forgotten to follow up.
An unexpected twist followed: they were asked to attend two additional rounds for an "upgraded role" due to positive feedback.
Additional Round 1: Role Specialization (again) - This round was cleared.
Additional Round 2: Bar Raiser (again) - This round did not go as well. This round was similar to HM rounds, focusing on understanding the candidate's thought process and approach to problems rather than specific DSA or system design expertise. The lack of clarity in judgment criteria was noted as unusual. After another 10 days of silence, HR informed the candidate that the last round wasn't positive, and the SDE-1 role they were interviewing for had already been filled. They were offered consideration for future positions, which felt like a polite brush-off. The candidate found the experience disheartening, having invested significant time and effort while serving a notice period.
Tips: Clarify the role level and expectations upfront. Seek regular updates from HR. Be selective about additional rounds unless confident in the opportunity. Don't take rejections personally.