Harness

Role: SDE intern

College: B. Tech CSE (2023), Tier - 3 College

Interview Date: March 2023

Interview Type: Off-Campus

Result: Selected

Difficulty: Challenging

Rounds: 4

Topics Asked: Core Computer Science (DBMS, OOP, OS, Networking, Cloud, Cyber Security), Data Structures, Algorithms, Projects, Situational Questions

Experience:

The candidate was approached for a referral via LinkedIn and received a call from HR the next day.

Round 1 (Telephonic round: 15 minutes): This round involved an introduction, background details, discussions about projects and tech stack, and two situational questions.

Round 2 (Technical round 1: 1 hour): This was a lengthy round with in-depth questions on core computer science topics such as DBMS, OOP, OS, Networking, Cloud, and Cyber Security.

• DSA Question 1: Range Sum of BST (LeetCode problem).
• DSA Question 2: Similar to Merge Intervals (LeetCode problem).

Emphasis was placed on justifying answers confidently based on knowledge. More time was dedicated to core CS concepts and project discussions.

Round 3 (Technical round 2: 1 hour): This round was conducted by a senior engineer based in the US. It was more of a discussion and cross-questioning round, focusing on technologies mentioned on the resume. There was an in-depth project discussion and demonstration of project workings. DSA-related questions were also asked based on the projects.

Round 4 (Hiring Manager + HR round: 40 minutes): This final round included technical questions, further project discussions (emphasized across all rounds), and situational questions.

Overall Experience: The interview process was challenging and thorough, emphasizing technical skills, project knowledge, and situational awareness. It was crucial to demonstrate proficiency in core computer science, DSA, and a deep understanding of projects mentioned on the resume, including their purpose, work done, and timeline.