Thoughtworks

Role: Application Developer

College: Not Specified

Interview Date: September 2021

Interview Type: Not Specified (Experienced hire, 2.5 years experience)

Result: Offered

Difficulty: Medium

Rounds: 4 rounds

Topics Asked: OOPs, Clean Code, TDD, API design (User & password validation), Data Structures & Algorithms (Linked List implementation and reversal, Queues via Stack, Stack via Queues), DB design (pizza shop), REST API design, Java 8 and Streams, Networking (SIP, VOIP, RTP, protocols), Social Impact & Behavioral questions.

Experience:

The candidate, with 2.5 years of experience, applied for the Application Developer role in India in September 2021.

Round 1: OOPs Round (Pairing Round)
Interviewers presented a task board, and the candidate selected a story to create APIs for user and password validation. ThoughtWorks emphasizes OOPs, Clean Code, and TDD. Tips included continuously updating the interviewer on approaches, proper naming conventions, and explaining class/method choices. Interviewers focused on the thought process rather than complete solutions.

Round 2: Technical Discussion (Ds/Algo, Design)
This round was described as an "amazing round" and more of a discussion. Questions covered Data Structures and Algorithms, such as implementing a custom Linked List (add data, reverse it) from scratch, and implementing Queues via Stack and Stack via Queues. Discussions also included DB design for a pizza shop, REST API design, and Java 8 and Streams.

Round 3: Additional Round (Networking Domain)
This was an additional round set up because the candidate had prior work experience in the Networking Domain. It involved deep discussions about the candidate's projects and networking protocols like SIP, VOIP, and RTP.

Round 4: Social Impact & Behavioral
This round focused on social topics to understand the candidate better, along with behavioral questions about dealing with customers (as Thoughtworks provides a consultant grade). The tip was to avoid being biased.

The candidate received an offer, noting that Thoughtworks paid less than other offers but was chosen due to the interview process and company culture.