Interview Experience | GIVA SDE1
June 11, 2026 · 0 reads
Summary
I interviewed for an SDE1 role at GIVA, completed three rounds covering DSA problems, system design discussions, and a puzzle, and was not selected.
Full Experience
Round 1: DSA(45min)
- Asked 2 DSA problems (moderate difficulty).
- Followed by 5-6 questions based on my resume and previous work experience.
Round 2: DSA + Distributed Systems Discussion (45 mins)
- Asked 2 DSA problems.
- The discussion then extended into how the solutions could be scaled in real-world systems.
- Questions:
- Task scheduler
- Rate limiter
Round 3: CTO Discussion (45 mins)
- Deep dive into my resume and projects.
- The CTO questioned almost every design decision, alternative approaches, trade offs, scaling considerations, and implementation details.
- Also asked a puzzle: There are 8 batteries (4 good and 4 bad). A torch requires 2 good batteries to turn on. What is the minimum number of attempts required in the worst case to guarantee finding a working pair?
Verdict: Not Selected
Overall, the interview focused heavily on problem solving, system thinking, and depth of understanding of projects mentioned on the resume. Be prepared to justify design decisions and discuss trade offs in detail.
Interview Questions (1)
1.
Battery Puzzle – Minimum Attempts to Find a Working Pair
Other
There are 8 batteries (4 good and 4 bad). A torch requires 2 good batteries to turn on. What is the minimum number of attempts required in the worst case to guarantee finding a working pair?