ebay | Software Engineer | Interview Experience
Interview Date: Not specified
Result: Rejected
Difficulty: Not specified
Interview Process
The interview process consisted of two rounds. In the first round, an interviewer with a heavy accent asked high-level questions related to databases and software design. The interviewer provided a list of 10 questions to answer one by one, which required the candidate to type out their responses neatly. Due to time constraints, the candidate was unable to complete the final diagram.
In the second round, the focus was on coding. The candidate was given three topics to write about, starting with implementing Quick Sort within a 5-minute timeframe. The candidate preferred to use C++, but the interviewer insisted on Python, which the candidate had not used in nearly a year. The candidate spent about 15 minutes on Quick Sort. The second question involved a problem related to “umbrella wine,” and the candidate had only 10 minutes left to run the test cases. The third question was a variant of the S-Dance problem, which required returning all combinations of numbers on the shortest path. The candidate was unable to complete the coding and testing in the allotted time.
Technical Questions
- Sorting Algorithm - Implement Quick Sort
- Data Structure/Algorithm - Umbrella wine problem
- Combinatorial Problem - Variant of S-Dance: Return all combinations of numbers on the shortest path
Tips & Insights
- Be prepared to code in the language requested by the interviewer, even if it’s not your preferred language.
- Manage your time effectively during coding interviews to ensure all questions are addressed.