Round-1: Online Assessment
The online assessment was conducted on the eLitmus platform and consisted of three sections:
Aptitude
- Number of Questions: 39
- Time Limit: 47 minutes
Coding Skills
- Number of Questions: 10
- Time Limit: 20 minutes
SQL Programming
- Number of Questions: 20
- Time Limit: 20 minutes
The difficulty level of the questions ranged from easy to medium. The coding section included flow graph questions, requiring quick analysis and problem-solving. A total of about 400-500 students were shortlisted, including those on the waitlist. I was among 81 shortlisted students for the Data Science and Engineering role.
Round-2: Technical Interview Rounds:
The interview process had two panels, covering various topics:
Operating Systems (OS):
- Questions on deadlocks, RAID, and general OS concepts.
Database Management Systems (DBMS):
- Discussion on SQL vs NoSQL, foreign key, primary vs unique key.
- Specific questions like finding the second-highest record and JOIN types.
- MongoDB-related queries including data formatting and usage.
- Handling data in Mongo db as mentioned MERN full stack in my resume.
Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA):
Coding Questions: (Explanation No live coding required)
- Graph algorithms: Shortest path problem, explanation of the algorithm.
- Strings: Printing in reverse order without using built-in functions, in-place swapping, counting ASCII values, and replacing them with the largest value.
- Hash functions: Counting occurrences of characters, finding the second-largest element.
HR Interview
The HR interview was brief, around 5-10 minutes. Questions included:
- How was your day?
- Introduce yourself.
- Have you attended any other campus drives?
- What are your interests?
I asked about the internship details and whether we would receive training or be directly placed on projects. The HR also shared his experience at BlackRock, creating a positive interaction.
Interview Tips
Aptitude Preparation:
- Even if you're strong in coding, maintain your aptitude skills. Take STS courses seriously and practice regularly using platforms like InterviewBit (free) and STS courses provided by VIT.
Coding Practice:
- Use platforms like Codeforces (for Slot-1 companies), LeetCode, and GeeksforGeeks for quick recaps and practice.
- Follow resources like Striver's SDE Sheet for beginners to quickly grasp and understand core concepts.
Core Computer Science Subjects:
- Focus on top 50 questions from GeeksforGeeks and detailed topic explanations.
Speaking Skills:
- Participate in clubs and hackathons. Even if you don’t win, you’ll gain exposure to advanced technologies and networking opportunities with seniors.
Maintain a Good CGPA:
- Aim for a CGPA well above 9. Being a top coder makes you eligible for most campus placements.
Interview Conduct:
- Stay calm and composed. Interviewers are assessing your fit for the company. Even if your approach is incorrect, a strong conceptual understanding can be sufficient.
HR Interaction:
- Engage in a positive conversation. The HR is evaluating your communication skills and whether your choices align with the company’s values.
General Advice:
- Keep faith in your goals and stay dedicated. Take breaks to reduce stress, plan for future options, and focus on one goal at a time. Don’t compare your first step with someone else’s last step.
Please share your interviews with GFG and share your experience with juniors so they can understand the situation of placements and prepare accordingly. Have a good day!
Remember: "Don't overthink, Just do it."