Flipkart interview experience | SDE-2
Summary
I successfully applied for an SDE-2 position at Flipkart, went through several challenging rounds including Machine Coding, Data Structures & Algorithms, System Design, and a Managerial discussion, and ultimately received an offer.
Full Experience
I applied for an SDE-2 position at Flipkart after seeing a recruiter's post on LinkedIn. I filled out a Google form and was later invited to a call where the entire interview process was explained, which involved around 50 candidates. An elimination round for Machine Coding was scheduled two days later.
Round 1: Machine Coding
For this round, I was tasked with writing code for a phonebook application. There were 5-6 mandatory requirements that needed to be fully functional for a high chance of selection. Additionally, some bonus functionalities were provided, which were not strictly required.
Round 2: MC Evaluation
A 30-minute call was scheduled on the same day to evaluate my machine coding solution. An SDE-3 joined, and I had to explain my entire code. I demonstrated all the required functionalities and elaborated on my implementation. The focus was on modularity, adherence to SOLID principles, and the use of design patterns. If I had missed anything, this was an opportunity to explain my reasoning.
After this round, I waited a week for the results. Since my Last Working Day (LWD) was approaching, the subsequent rounds were fast-tracked and scheduled within two days.
Round 3: PS-DS Round
Two Data Structures and Algorithms questions were asked:
- Given an integer array, count the number of subarrays having at most k distinct elements.
- Given a number, we need to find the minimum number of operations to be done so that the number becomes 0. The operation is to subtract the digits from the number. I solved both questions pretty fast, so I was given an extension to the second question, which was to print all the operations done.
Round 4: System Design (HLD)
This round focused on High-Level Design. I was given a set of requirements and asked to design an UrbanClap-like system. I had to draw the HLD on an online board. The discussion covered various aspects, including database choices, scalability, availability, and both functional and non-functional requirements. We also delved into database schema design and API design for the specified requirements.
Round 5: Managerial Round
This round involved a deep dive into my current project with the Hiring Manager. We discussed the architectural choices I made in my project, transitioning into a more general HLD discussion. The last 15 minutes were dedicated to behavioral questions.
I successfully cleared all the rounds and received an offer from Flipkart.
Interview Questions (4)
Design and implement a phonebook application with 5-6 mandatory functionalities. Focus on modularity, SOLID principles, and design patterns. Bonus functionalities were also available for implementation.
Given an integer array, count the number of subarrays having at most k distinct elements.
Given a number, find the minimum number of operations to be done so that the number becomes 0. The operation is to subtract the digits from the number. An extension was to print all operations done.
Provide the High-Level Design for a system similar to UrbanClap, given a set of requirements. Discussions focused on drawing the HLD, database choices, scalability, availability, functional and non-functional requirements, database schema design, and API design.