Round 1: LPs + DSA
Questions:
- Leadership Principles (LPs): 3-4 standard LP questions.
- DSA:
- The first question involved stacks, which I initially solved using O(n) time and O(n) space. The interviewer then asked me to optimize the solution to O(1) space.
- The interviewer added tight constraints to the question, such as no extra space, no temp variables, and no swaps, turning it into a med-hard level problem involving math and arrays.
Candidate's Approach
I initially solved the stack problem using O(n) time and space. After being prompted to optimize to O(1) space, I was able to think through the approach and code it. However, when faced with the additional constraints, I struggled to complete the solution before time ran out.
Interviewer's Feedback
The shadowing interviewer falsely mentioned that I had only solved the "warm-up question," despite it being the only med-hard question prepared. This feedback was cited as the reason for my rejection.
Round 2: LPs + Scripting + Troubleshooting + System Design Concepts
Questions:
- Leadership Principles (LPs): 4 LP questions.
- Scripting: Some Linux commands.
- Troubleshooting: A scenario on handling large traffic and website crashes.
- System Design Concepts: Discussed caching, scaling, and load balancing.
Candidate's Approach
No approach provided.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
Round 3: HM Round - LPs + Troubleshooting
Questions:
- Leadership Principles (LPs): A few scenario-based questions.
- Troubleshooting: Example: "If you are working at Zomato and a customer reports an issue where they are unable to proceed after adding food to the cart, what would you do?"
Candidate's Approach
I felt very comfortable in this round and could confidently answer the questions.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
Round 4: Bar Raiser
Questions:
- Leadership Principles (LPs): 4 detailed questions requiring precise answers.
Candidate's Approach
The interviewer noted down every detail, especially numbers and percentages mentioned in my responses. He grilled me on my resume, asking how I measured specific metrics and what improvements I could make.
Interviewer's Feedback
No feedback provided.
Takeaway: While I faced rejection, the experience provided valuable lessons. For anyone preparing, I recommend focusing on:
- Quickly optimizing solutions and communicating your thought process effectively.
- Providing structured, detailed answers to LP questions.
- Being thoroughly prepared to defend every aspect of your resume with examples and metrics.
Additionally, companies should ensure that interviewers, especially shadowing or less experienced ones, are adequately trained to conduct fair and structured interviews. Poorly managed interviews not only hinder a candidate's chances but also reflect poorly on the company's hiring process.
Verdict: Rejected