HCL Technologies interview experience Real time questions & tips from candidates to crack your interview

Software Engineer

HCL Technologies
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3 rounds | 9 Coding problems

Interview preparation journey

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Journey
As a programmer, my journey began with learning the basics of programming languages, algorithms, and data structures.From there, I worked on building more complex programs and applications, honing my skills in areas such as software design, debugging, and optimization. I also worked on personal projects and contributed to open-source projects to gain more experience and exposure.To prepare for job interviews, I studied common interview questions, practiced coding challenges, and read up on best practices for interviewing. When the time came for interviews, I made sure to showcase my skills and experience, while also being open and eager to learn from the interviewers.Overall, my journey from starting with the basics to cracking job interviews was a challenging but rewarding experience. It required a lot of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to constantly learn and improve.
Application story
I applied in HCL for Programmer Analyst role.The job description was perfect for me- it required the exact skills that i have. Without hesitation, I applied for the job by submitting my resume online.A few days later, I received an email inviting me to take an online coding assessment to test my programming skills. I was nervous but determined to do my best, and I spent several hours studying and practicing before taking the assessment. I felt confident that I had performed well and eagerly awaited the company's response.A week later, I received an email from the hiring manager, who congratulated me on passing the coding assessment,and scheduled my technical interview.The day of the interview had arrived, and I was feeling both excited and nervous. I had prepared thoroughly for the interview and was eager to showcase my programming skills.After the interview, I felt both relieved and excited. I had done my best and had impressed the team with my technical skills and problem-solving abilities.A few days later, I received an email from the hiring manager, who congratulated me on a successful interview and offered the job. I was thrilled and accepted the offer, excited to start his my role as a programmer at the company.
Why selected/rejected for the role?
I impressed the hiring team with deep knowledge of computer concepts and programming languages. I was able to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.Moreover, I remained calm and collected throughout the interview, even in the face of challenging technical questions.
Preparation
Duration: 3 months
Topics: Data structures and algorithms,Database design and management,Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript),Agile methodologies and project management,Software design patterns,Operating systems and computer architecture.
Tip
Tip

Tip 1 :Tip 1 :Practice coding challenges and exercises, such as LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal.

Tip 2 : Research the company and position: Before the interview, it's important to research the company and the position you're applying for. 

Tip 3 :Build projects: Building personal projects is a great way to gain practical experience and showcase your skills to potential employers.

Tip 4:Read up on core concepts: It's important to have a solid understanding of core programming concepts such as data structures, algorithms, object-oriented programming, and database design.

Application process
Where: Company Website
Eligibility: No backlogs,Above 7CGPA, Certification in technologies, like Sql, Java, OOPS.
Resume Tip
Resume tip

Tip 1:Tailor your resume to the job: One of the most important tips for writing a great resume is to tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. This means carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the skills and experience that the employer is looking for. Then, you should highlight your relevant skills and experience in your resume, using keywords and phrases that match the job description. This will help your resume stand out to the employer and demonstrate that you have the skills and experience they're looking for.

Tip 2:Use bullet points and quantifiable achievements: Another key tip for writing a great resume is to use bullet points and quantify your achievements wherever possible. This makes it easy for the employer to quickly scan your resume and see your most impressive accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "Managed a team of developers," you might say "Managed a team of 5 developers and delivered 3 major software projects on time and under budget." By using specific numbers and accomplishments, you can show the employer that you have a track record of success and are capable of making a meaningful contribution to their organization.

Tip 3 Keep it concise: Employers don't have a lot of time to spend reading resumes, so it's important to keep yours concise and to the point. Aim for a maximum of two pages, and use bullet points and short, impactful sentences to convey your skills and experience.

Tip 4 Use a professional format: Your resume should be well-organized and easy to read. Use a professional font and a clear, simple format that highlights your most important information. Avoid using too many graphics or colors, as these can be distracting and may not be compatible with all computer systems.

Interview rounds

01
Round
Easy
Online Coding Interview
Duration180 mins
Interview date25 May 2022
Coding problem4

The round was held during regular business hours, and all candidates were given a specific time frame in which to complete the test.

The environment for the round was entirely online, with candidates accessing the test through a secure portal. The test consisted of multiple-choice questions covering a range of topics related to software development, such as programming languages, algorithms, and data structures. The questions were designed to assess the candidates' technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.Candidates were given a set amount of time to complete the test, which was strictly enforced by the system. Once the test was submitted, the results were automatically generated and provided to the hiring team for review.

There were no other significant activities during the online MCQ round, as the focus was solely on assessing the candidates' technical knowledge and skills. Overall, the online MCQ round was a key part of the hiring process, providing the hiring team with valuable insights into the candidates' abilities and suitability for the role.

1. Output Question

Which of the following represents the correct output of the above pseudo code for the input [10, 5, 3, 8, 12]?

function findMinimum(array) {
minimum = array[0]
for i = 1 to length(array) do
if array[i] < minimum then
minimum = array[i]
end for
return minimum
}

Problem approach

Tip 1:Answer is 3
Tip 2:Do practice Psuedo code
Tip 3:The above pseudo code represents a function findMinimum that takes an array as input and returns the minimum value in the array. When the input [10, 5, 3, 8, 12] is passed to this function, it iterates through the array and finds the minimum value 3, which is returned as the output. Therefore, option A (3) is the correct output for this input.

2. MCQ

Which of the following data structures allows for constant time insertion, deletion and search operations?
a. Array
b. Linked list
c. Stack
d. Hash table

Problem approach

Tip 1:Understand the concepts: Don't just memorize the answers. Take the time to understand the concepts behind each question. This will help you apply what you have learned to new problems.

Answer 
Hash Table

3. MCQ

Which of the following sorting algorithms has the worst time complexity?
a. Bubble sort
b. Insertion sort
c. Quick sort
d. Merge sort

Problem approach

Tip 1:Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice solving DSA questions, the more familiar you will become with the various data structures, algorithms and problem-solving techniques

Answer Bubble Sort

4. MCQ

Which SQL function is used to return the number of rows in a table?
a. COUNT
b. SUM
c. AVG
d. MAX

Problem approach

Tip 1:Use online resources: There are many online resources available that offer practice exercises and SQL tutorials. Some popular resources include SQLZoo, HackerRank, and LeetCode. 

Answer COUNT

02
Round
Easy
Face to Face
Duration90 minutes
Interview date1 Jun 2022
Coding problem4

Environment: The interview was conducted virtually via video conferencing. I found a quiet, well-lit room in my home to conduct the interview.

Interviewer: The interviewer was friendly and professional, and made me feel at ease during the interview. They asked a range of technical and behavioral questions, and I felt confident in their responses.

Other significant activity: I had prepared thoroughly for the interview by researching the company and practicing their responses to common interview questions. I had also reviewed the job requirements and made a list of my relevant skills and experiences.

1. Java Question

Are pointers use in Java?

Problem approach

Tip 1:Do prepare core java questions. 

Answer Java does have pointers, but they are implemented differently than in some other programming languages such as C or C++. In Java, pointers are implicitly used by the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) to manage objects and memory allocation.

Java uses references instead of pointers, which are essentially a type of pointer that points to objects in memory.

2. DS Question

Implement Linkedlist

Problem approach

Answer here is a basic implementation of a singly linked list in Java:

public class LinkedList {
private Node head;

public LinkedList() {
head = null;
}

private static class Node {
private int data;
private Node next;

public Node(int data) {
this.data = data;
next = null;
}
}

public void insertAtBeginning(int data) {
Node newNode = new Node(data);
newNode.next = head;
head = newNode;
}

public void insertAtEnd(int data) {
Node newNode = new Node(data);
if(head == null) {
head = newNode;
return;
}
Node current = head;
while(current.next != null) {
current = current.next;
}
current.next = newNode;
}

public void delete(int data) {
if(head == null) {
return;
}
if(head.data == data) {
head = head.next;
return;
}
Node current = head;
while(current.next != null) {
if(current.next.data == data) {
current.next = current.next.next;
return;
}
current = current.next;
}
}

public void printList() {
Node current = head;
while(current != null) {
System.out.print(current.data + " ");
current = current.next;
}
}
}

3. OOPS Question

Difference between java and c++?

Problem approach

Tip 1:Prepare all OOPS Concepts

Answer Java and C++ are both popular programming languages, but there are several differences between the two:

1 Memory management
2Platform independence
3Syntax
4Runtime environment: 
5Standard libraries:

4. N-th Fibonacci Number

Moderate
40m average time
70% success
0/80
Asked in companies
HCL TechnologiesHCL TechnologiesOracle

You are given an integer ‘N’, your task is to find and return the N’th Fibonacci number using matrix exponentiation.

Since the answer can be very large, return the answer modulo 10^9 +7.

Fibonacci number is calculated using the following formula:
F(n) = F(n-1) + F(n-2), 
Where, F(1) = F(2) = 1.
For Example:
For ‘N’ = 5, the output will be 5.
Problem approach

Answer

public class Fibonacci {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int n = 10; // number of terms in the sequence
int prev = 0, curr = 1;

System.out.print("Fibonacci series of " + n + " terms:");

for (int i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
System.out.print(prev + " ");

int next = prev + curr;
prev = curr;
curr = next;
}
}
}

Try solving now
03
Round
Easy
HR Round
Duration30 minutes
Interview date2 Jun 2022
Coding problem1

It was just a document verification round, nothing much asked from the HR.

1. Basic HR Questions

Introduce yourself

Basic Question regarding Documents.

Here's your problem of the day

Solving this problem will increase your chance to get selected in this company

Skill covered: Programming

How do you remove whitespace from the start of a string?

Choose another skill to practice
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