CRED

Role: SDE (Android Developer)

College: Not Specified (Fresher 2022 pass out)

Interview Date: June 2022

Interview Type: On-Campus/Off-Campus (Applied via LinkedIn)

Result: Selected

Difficulty: Medium

Rounds: 4 rounds

Topics Asked: Assignment (Animation-heavy features, Clean Architecture, API calls, view persistence), DSA & Puzzles, Core Android Fundamentals (lifecycle, Clean Architecture, HLD for an app), System Design (Analytics SDK), Managerial/Cultural Fit

Experience:

The candidate, a 2022 pass-out with 2+ years of internship experience as an Android and Backend developer, applied via LinkedIn. The hiring process involved four main rounds.

Round 1 - Assignment (24 hours): This round involved developing a Proof of Concept (POC) for animation-heavy features using Android native, adhering to Clean Architecture practices, handling API calls, and view persistence. It was a full-on project.

Round 2 - DSA & Puzzles (1.5 hours): Scheduled the day after assignment submission, this round focused on Data Structures and Algorithms and puzzle-solving. Questions started with basics and moved to various medium-level data structures. The code was written in Google Docs, emphasizing the approach and explanation over IDE usage.

Round 3 - Core Android (2.5 hours): This round, scheduled within a day's gap, delved into Core Android Fundamentals. Topics ranged from basic lifecycle-based questions to in-depth discussions on Clean Architecture. The candidate also had to perform a High-Level Design (HLD) for an app, with questions based on their approach. This round was more of a discussion, testing the ability to adapt to increasing complexities.

Round 4 - System Design + Managerial (1.5 hours): Conducted with the Head of Engineering Mobile, this round was a mix of cultural fit and technical aspects. It included discussions on past experiences, handling situations at different workplaces, and the candidate's roles beyond just a software developer. A mobile system design problem was presented, specifically to build an Analytics SDK, requiring the candidate to verbalize their thought process. Behavioral questions about self-awareness and career goals were also part of this round.

The overall hiring process was described as unique, testing development skills rather than solely focusing on DSA. Each round had two interviewers, fostering a discussion-like environment. The candidate received a selection confirmation from HR later that day.