Ixigo

Role: SDE-1

College: B.Tech from tier 3 college (2021 batch)

Interview Date: November 2021

Interview Type: Full-Time

Result: Offer

Difficulty: Not Specified

Rounds: 3 rounds

Topics Asked: Java, Spring IOC, Data Structures and Algorithms, OOPS, Behavioral, Puzzles.

Experience:

The candidate had 4 months of prior experience from a service-based MNC. There was no online assessment, with direct interview rounds.

Round 1 (Technical Interview - 1) [60 Min]:
Started with a basic introduction, then moved to Java and Spring IOC. The discussion on how Spring manages IOC property led to questions on Kahn's Algorithm/Topological Sort on a Directed Graph, Cycle Detection in a Directed Graph, and Topological Sort (BFS/Kahn's Algorithm and DFS - discussion only). A LeetCode problem, "Lowest Common Ancestor of a Binary Tree", was also discussed.

Round 2 (Technical Interview - 2) [60 Min] - With Reporting Manager and VP of Engineering:
This round covered Java and OOPS questions. There was an in-depth discussion on Spring until the candidate indicated a lack of knowledge on specific advanced functionalities.

• Coding Question: Remove all redundant parentheses and return the expression (e.g., `(a+((b)+c))` -> `(a+(b+c))`), along with edge cases. The candidate explained a solution using two stacks, which satisfied the interviewer.

The VP joined in the last 10 minutes and asked behavioral questions.

Round 3 (Technical Interview/Behavioral - 3) [30 Min] - With CTO:
This round primarily involved behavioral questions.

• Asked to explain the working of a favorite app and its most liked features. The candidate chose Telegram, leading to a deep discussion on features that could be included or removed.
• Finally, some puzzles were asked, which were described as basic Maths questions from Class 6-7 level.

The recruiter confirmed the selection on the same day.