IBM Recruitment Process for Software Developer | 2021

My journey through IBM's recruitment process as a fresher involved three distinct rounds. The initial stage was an Aptitude test, a multiple-choice assessment covering programming concepts in languages like C, C++, and Java, alongside computer science fundamentals such as Operating Systems, DBMS, Theory of Computation, and Computer Networks. It also included a section on general aptitude, featuring questions on probability, cubes, speed and distance, work and time, and blood relations. This round typically lasted between 75 to 120 minutes.

Successfully clearing the aptitude test led me to the Technical Rounds. This stage rigorously tested my foundational knowledge. I was expected to be well-versed in Data Structures and Algorithms, DBMS, Operating Systems, Networking, and OOPs concepts, in addition to having strong command over at least one programming language. The interviewers posed several classic coding problems, including the Coin Change problem (dynamic programming), Quicksort algorithm implementation, finding the minimum number of swaps to sort an array, detecting a loop in a linked list, reversing a linked list, and array rotation. These questions demanded not just theoretical understanding but also practical coding ability.

The final stage was the HR Round. This round focused on assessing my personality, aspirations, and fit within IBM's culture. I encountered typical HR questions such as 'Introduce yourself?', 'What do you know about IBM?', 'Why do you believe you are a good fit for the Software Developer role?', 'What are your strengths and weaknesses?', 'Why do you want to join IBM?', and 'Where do I see myself in five years?'. There were also discussions stemming from my resume and prior projects.