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

Software Developer

IBM
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3 rounds | 5 Coding problems

Interview preparation journey

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Journey
I started my coding journey in the second year of my graduation. I asked and consulted seniors on how to start my career. I began practicing DSA, but initially, I was not serious about it. However, in the seventh semester, I started practicing DSA regularly. Meanwhile, in the last phase of my third year, I also learned Web Development. After that, I was ready to apply to different companies.
Application story
I got to know about the openings and that IBM's hiring drive was going to visit our college to recruit candidates for the SDE-1 role. I was very interested in these openings, as IBM is a great organization. For that reason, I prepared myself for the selection process, and after successfully completing it, I received the offer letter.
Why selected/rejected for the role?
I provided a correct explanation for my solutions during the coding round. I also built the optimal solution, starting from the brute-force algorithm, which further contributed to my points.
Preparation
Duration: 3 months
Topics: Data Structures and Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming System, Operating System, Database Management System
Tip
Tip

Try to solve Data Structures and Algorithms-based questions on your own first before looking at the solution. Also, try to solve them as quickly as possible. Additionally, prepare for theoretical subjects like Operating Systems and Database Management Systems. I used Coding Ninjas' subjective notes for these topics, and they are highly accurate and up to the mark.

Application process
Where: Campus
Eligibility: 7 CGPA
Resume Tip
Resume tip

Keep your resume simple and complete. Mention some high-quality projects, your previous experiences, and any coding achievements you have.

Interview rounds

01
Round
Medium
Online Coding Test
Duration90 minutes
Interview date15 Nov 2019
Coding problem1

This was the coding round with only one coding question containing 50 test cases, and one had to pass all test cases to clear this round.

1. Minimum Cost

Easy
15m average time
85% success
0/40
Asked in companies
MicrosoftDunzoQualcomm

There are ‘N’ numbers of balls in a room that are placed in a row. You are given an array ‘location’ where location[ i ] denotes the location of the ‘i-th’ ball.

You have to move all the balls at the same location, and it is given that you can move a ball from position [ i ] to

1. position[i] + 2 with cost = 0.

2. position[i] + 1 with cost = 1.

Your task is to find the minimum cost required to move all the balls at the same location.

For Example :
If we have three balls placed at [ 1, 3, 4 ]

At first, move the ball from position ‘1’ to position ‘3’ with cost = 0.
Then move the ball from position ‘4’ to position ‘3’ with cost =1.
As the minimum cost = 1, so you need to print 1.
Problem approach

I simply used a greedy approach to solve this using two pointers.

Try solving now
02
Round
Medium
Face to Face
Duration40 minutes
Interview date15 Nov 2019
Coding problem3

1. Detect And Remove Cycle

Easy
10m average time
90% success
0/40
Asked in companies
WalmartOracleGoldman Sachs

You have been given a Singly Linked List of integers, determine if it forms a cycle or not. If there is a cycle, remove the cycle and return the list.

A cycle occurs when a node's ‘next’ points back to a previous node in the list.

Problem approach

To find a cycle, I simply use the two-pointer approach with slow and fast pointers. If they meet, there is a cycle in the loop.

Try solving now

2. Number of Pairs with Given Sum

Problem approach

Firstly, I explained the brute-force approach to the interviewer, where I considered each pair and their sum. Then, he asked me to optimize the time complexity. I used sorting and the two-pointer approach to solve the question. He then asked me to write the code, so I wrote a fully commented version for him. He made me dry-run it on a few test cases, and it produced the correct answers for all of them.

3. Closest Distance Pair

Easy
20m average time
0/40
Asked in companies
SamsungAmazonIntuit

You are given an array containing 'N' points in the plane. The task is to find out the distance of the closest points.

Note :
Where distance between two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is calculated as [(x1 - x2) ^ 2] + [(y1 - y2) ^ 2].
Problem approach

The approach that came to my mind at that time was only brute force, so I asked the interviewer for a hint. He suggested using divide and conquer, but I couldn't figure it out and was unable to solve the question.

Try solving now
03
Round
Easy
HR Round
Duration30 minutes
Interview date15 Nov 2019
Coding problem1

Face to face HR round

1. Basic HR Questions

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • The most challenging task during your B.Tech.
  • Discussed my strengths and weaknesses.
Problem approach

Tip 1: Gave him my basic introduction, including my name, family background, hobbies, and interests.

Tip 2: Told him about the difficulties I am facing in managing the team for a college-related project, which mainly involves juniors who have less knowledge of the technology used in the project.

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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