Epam | Junior Software Engineer | Offer

My interview journey for the Junior Software Engineer role at Epam involved several rounds, ultimately leading to an offer. Here's a detailed breakdown of each stage:

Round 1: NCTE Test (MyAnatomy Platform)

The initial screening was conducted on the MyAnatomy platform, known as the NCTE test. This comprehensive assessment included sections on Aptitude, Analytical skills, English Proficiency, Computer Fundamentals, Coding Proficiency, and UI Technologies. Epam shortlisted candidates based on their scores from this round for subsequent stages.

Round 2: Coding Round

This round consisted of three coding challenges, which I had to solve using Java. The first question focused on Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs) concepts, where I was provided with an interface and several classes. My task was to implement the interface, extend classes appropriately, and fill in the logic for specific blank functions to solve the given problem. The second and third questions were medium-level problems related to Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) and general problem-solving.

Round 3: Group Discussion

After a few days, I received an invitation for a Group Discussion round, which lasted 30 minutes. Approximately 10 candidates participated. The mentor began by introducing himself and providing a brief overview of Epam. The topic for discussion was "Who is more responsible for the second phase of Corona: the public or the government?" Despite limited time, I managed to contribute to the discussion once.

Round 4: Technical Interview

Following the GD, I was called for a 45-minute technical interview, which was primarily focused on Java. The questions covered a wide range of topics:

• I was asked to introduce myself.
• I had to explain all the questions I solved in the second coding round and elaborate on my logic.
• Discussions around OOPs concepts.
• Differences between LinkedList and ArrayList, specifically regarding insertion and deletion speed.
• Differences between Stack and Queue.
• Concepts related to static methods, static variables, and static blocks.
• Distinction between final, finally, and finalize.
• The size of long in Java.
• Binary Trees and Binary Search Trees (BST).
• Real-world applications of BSTs.
• Method Overriding.
• What is a Map in Java?
• Abstract classes versus Interfaces.
• What is the Collection framework?
• Can the main function be overloaded?
• Discussion about the Collections class.
• Defining various data structures within the Collection framework.
• I was asked to code a solution in Java to find a duplicate element in an array.
• A puzzle was presented: "You have two candles, both of which can burn for exactly 30 minutes each. You need to burn both candles for precisely 45 minutes."

Round 5: HR Interview

The final round was a 30-minute HR interview. This round focused on personal background, professional aspirations, and behavioral aspects:

• I was asked to tell about myself.
• Questions about my projects.
• Situational questions, such as describing a time I acted as a team player.
• Describing a situation where I made a mistake and how I handled it.
• Questions about my family background.
• Inquiries about my willingness to relocate.
• A hypothetical question: "If your parents advised against relocating, would you still be able to relocate?"
• Questions about my commitment duration to Epam.
• Another hypothetical: "If relatives suggested leaving Epam for a higher salary, what would I do?"
• My achievements.
• How I would manage a project with limited time.
• And some general discussion.

Several days after the HR interview, I received the confirmation email from Epam for the offer.