PayTm Interview Experience (Senior Software Engineer)
Summary
I interviewed for a Senior Software Engineer role at PayTm, successfully navigating four rounds including technical, DSA, core Java, and system design challenges. I received an offer, but ultimately declined it due to my preference for Work From Home.
Full Experience
I came across a Google form on LinkedIn and decided to apply. After 1-2 weeks, I received a call from a recruiter who explained the role and process, then scheduled my first interview and shared details about an upcoming online assessment.
Interview Rounds
Round 1 – Technical + DSA
This round started with introductions and a deep dive into my current projects. We discussed my contributions, the technology stack I used, and my problem-solving approaches. For DSA, I was given a basic Linked List problem, where I discussed multiple approaches and optimizations. Java questions focused on Lambdas and Stream APIs. I received strong positive feedback from HR an hour later, and the next round was scheduled.
Round 2 – Online Assessment (Hackerrank)
I completed both questions successfully. One was an easy-level problem which I don't recall the exact details of, and the other was the classic Longest Common Substring problem, which I solved completely.
Round 3 – Core Java, Design Patterns & System Design
This round began with detailed project discussions, including my technology choices and the reasoning behind them. Topics covered included Design Patterns, various Spring Boot concepts, and authentication mechanisms. I felt I could have explained authentication better. We also went through some SQL queries. The next day, HR informed me that the feedback was positive and scheduled the final round.
Round 4 – High-Level System Design
This discussion focused on my major contributions in my current role. For the HLD question, I was asked to design a system similar to Shiprocket, with a particular emphasis on order management and payment processing. The interviewer was very professional and supportive, making it a smooth experience.
Final Outcome
After 2-3 days, HR informed me that I had cleared all rounds and shared the offer letter. However, I ultimately declined the offer as PayTm has a Work From Office (WFO) policy, and I prefer Work From Home (WFH).
Interview Questions (2)
I was given the classic Longest Common Substring problem in the online assessment, which I solved completely.
I was asked to design a system similar to Shiprocket, specifically focusing on order management and payment processing.
Preparation Tips
I prepared by focusing on in-depth project discussions, as they heavily focused on my real-world experience. I also brushed up on core Java, Spring Boot, authentication flows, and SQL. For DSA, my focus was on Linked Lists, Strings, and Dynamic Programming basics. For system design rounds, I practiced clear thinking and structuring my solutions, as it was more about the approach than just scale.