Sept 2021 - Software Engineer 1 - Paypal interview process - (Chennai, India)

I applied for a Software Engineer 1 role at Paypal through a referral program in July 2021. After a delayed process, I received an email for an Online Assessment in late August, which was conducted on HackerEarth. It consisted of two questions: a simple array problem and a tough DP with bitmask problem. I managed to solve the first question completely and passed 10 out of 14 test cases for the second one.

Subsequently, I qualified for the interview rounds. My first interview was initially scheduled but no one appeared, so it was rescheduled for the next day. In this round, I was asked two data structures and algorithms questions: 'Minimum number of platforms required to serve all the trains coming on the station given their arrival and departure times' and 'Find the majority element using Moore's Voting Algorithm.' I successfully cleared this round.

The second interview focused on a coding problem: 'Given a log file, determine the execution time of each function.' The interviewer emphasized writing production-ready code, requiring the implementation of OOPs principles for readability and debuggability. I cleared this round as well.

Finally, I proceeded to the third round, which was with a hiring manager. This round was non-technical and primarily focused on my knowledge of scrum and agile methodologies. The interviewer seemed impressed with my answers.

Despite clearing all rounds, the communication after the final interview became very poor. After two weeks of no contact and ignored emails/phone calls, I called from a different number and, by mistake, they answered. They informed me that I had cleared the final round but asked me to wait another week for the offer letter, repeatedly stressing not to resign from my current organization. Realizing I had been ghosted, I never received an offer.