IBM interview experience Real time questions & tips from candidates to crack your interview
SDE - Intern
IBM
2 rounds | 6 Coding
problems
Selected Interview preparation journey
Preparation
Duration: 2 months
Topics: Data structures (C++ or JAVA), OOPs, Dynamic Programming, Fundamentals of DBMS and RDBMS, Operating System Design, Fundamentals of file handling in Java, Sorting algorithms and the difference in their time complexities
Tip 1 : Projects are a must, they need not be very high end but they must use some or the other IBM technology like Watson studio. Anything related to IBM cloud(Bluemix) is a plus point
Tip 2 : Work on C++/Java and solve around 200-300 leetcode questions.
Tip 3 : Understand how to calculate time complexities and space complexities in Brute force optimization.
Tip 4 : Knowledge of python shall be useful if you are using it as a resource to do backend development, for example making a project that uses "flask" to create a web server which can later be deployed on IBM cloud(Bluemix) and to make a REST API
Application process
Where: Other
Eligibility: No backlogs during applying, 6.5 minimum CGPA for internship and 75% Bachelor's percentage is needed for a full time SDE role at IBM
Tip 1 : The projects and their description must be clearly visible, along with the "Tech stack used" line mentioned separately
Tip 2 : Keep the color scheme as uniform (preferred black and white) throughout the resume.
Tip 3 : Personally, there is no need to mention your hobbies/interests (non-technical), rather use the space to add more things about your projects and past internships (if any)
Tip 4 : Having one or two MOOCs from Coursera/IBM training portal is also fruitful. (https://www.ibm.com/training/)
Interview rounds
01
Round
Medium
Video Call
Duration60 minutes
Interview date16 Dec 2021
Coding problem5
My interview was in late afternoon, and was taken by a technical manager at IBM.
Initially, I was asked to describe myself. He asked me technical questions related to coding like how well I know coding in different languages and to rate them on a scale of 1-10 starting from basic till professional level of coding.
He asked my about my projects and what was the problem I solved and their need.
I had used IBM analytics tools in my projects so he focused on how much knowledge I had about them.
He wanted to know my command in JAVA. He said most of the work at IBM utilized JAVA.
So he asked my knowledge in C++, then advised my if I am hired how much time will I need to brush up concepts of JAVA.
He asked me if I knew the about the position where I am applying and what kind of work IBM does in the software industry.
Rest of the questions, I have tried to put below.
1. Nth Fibonacci Number
Easy
0/40
Asked in companies
The n-th term of Fibonacci series F(n), where F(n) is a function, is calculated using the following formula -
F(n) = F(n - 1) + F(n - 2),
Where, F(1) = 1, F(2) = 1
Provided 'n' you have to find out the n-th Fibonacci Number. Handle edges cases like when 'n' = 1 or 'n' = 2 by using conditionals like if else and return what's expected.
"Indexing is start from 1"
Example :
Input: 6
Output: 8
Explanation: The number is ‘6’ so we have to find the “6th” Fibonacci number.
So by using the given formula of the Fibonacci series, we get the series:
[ 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21]
So the “6th” element is “8” hence we get the output.
2. Technical Question
Question about "Functors", their use cases in problems and what is functional programming
Problem approach
I wrote this code and also explained about their use cases with STLs in C++
#include
using namespace std;
int increasing(int x) { return (x+1); }
int main()
{
int arr[] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
int n = sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]);
transform(arr, arr+n, arr, increasing);
for (int i=0; i cout << arr[i] <<" ";
return 0;
}
3. Technical Question
Differences between create, read, update, and delete (or CRUD) operations.
Problem approach
Tip 1 : Read about Javascript's FETCH API
Tip 2 : Understand REST APIs and try to do a project using them
Tip 3 : MySQL knowledge is very useful while answering
4. DBMS Question
What is Object Oriented Database Management System (OODBMS)
Problem approach
Object-oriented database management system (OODBMS) is a database management system that supports the creation and modeling of data as objects. OODBMS also includes support for classes of objects and the inheritance of class properties and incorporates methods, subclasses, and their objects
5. Technical Questions
OOPs concepts in C++ vs JAVA.
Difference between quick and merge sort.
What is the advantage of inheritance in OOPS?
Problem approach
Tip 1 : Fundamentals of Computer science must be strong
02
Round
Easy
HR Round
Duration30 minutes
Interview date17 Dec 2021
Coding problem1
Round was in evening, taken by one of the hiring managers at IBM
It was a great environment and he was very calm and polite.
One needs to keep camera ON during the interview
Always be honest in your answers and do no hide
Asked me basic questions which I have mentioned below
1. Basic HR Questions
Introduce yourself briefly
What do you know about IBM and it's services
Question from Resume and prior projects.
Location and nature of my earlier internship, the work environment and reason for leaving.
Why applying for role of Software Developer?
What are your Strength and Weakness?
Why you want to join the IBM?
Will I be continuing IBM or do I have counter offer from other companies?
Problem approach
Tip 1 : Be confident and concise in answering
Tip 2 : Be truthful while answering
Tip 3 : Make sure that your environment doesn't have background noise and the Internet connection is good
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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