Citadel

Role: Citadel NXT

College: Not Specified

Interview Date: February 2024

Interview Type: Full-Time

Result: Rejected

Difficulty: Medium-Hard

Rounds: 3 rounds (Hackerrank, Behavioral Phone Screen, Technical Phone Screen)

Topics Asked: Coding (Python, pseudo-code translation, LeetCode easy), System Design (multiple choice), Behavioral, Memory questions

Experience:

The candidate, with 3.5 years of experience at a well-known non-FAANG company, was contacted by a recruiter for Citadel NXT.

The first stage was a **Hackerrank Online Assessment** which included multiple-choice coding and system design questions. The coding portion was described as "ridiculously easy," involving translating pseudo-code to Python.

The next stage was a **Phone Screen (Behavioral)** lasting 1 hour. This round focused on experience-related questions, asking "what you did, why you did it," and included behavioral/conflict resolution scenarios.

Following this was a **Phone Screen (Technical)**, also 1 hour. After a 5-10 minute behavioral introduction, a technical question was presented on Coderpad. The candidate received a "surprisingly LC easy question" and successfully coded a bug-free solution after clarifying questions. However, the interviewer then asked "pretty niche questions as an extension to the problem that you either know or you don't." The candidate needed a hint but felt they demonstrated good problem-solving skills and adaptability. Further basic questions about memory were also asked and answered to the interviewer's liking.

Despite feeling confident, the candidate received a rejection, with the recruiter citing that they didn't "go above and beyond" in technical skills.