Salesforce SMTS experience

Technical Round 1 (60 mins):
- Problem 1: Given a string and a number of rows, print the string in zigzag traversal. I provided the most optimized solution and executed it successfully.
- Problem 2: Given digits, print all possible strings like a phone keypad. Again, I delivered the optimal solution within the time limit. Both problems were solved in about 50 minutes.

Technical Round 2 (LLD) 6,0 mins:
- Problem: Implement an LFU (Least Frequently Used) cache. I explained the optimal approach, though the interviewer initially had difficulty following my reasoning. I implemented the entire solution (~100 lines of code). A minor syntax error prevented execution, but the interviewer seemed satisfied with the approach and completeness of the solution.

Hiring Manager Round (On-site):
- The first 15 minutes were a casual discussion where I felt a strong rapport with the hiring manager.
- We discussed my past projects, and I was able to highlight my contributions and technical depth.
- Problem: Adding polynomials. The manager only described the problem verbally without examples.
- Initially, I proposed a different solution.
- After clarifying requirements through discussion, I refined my approach and arrived at the correct solution.
- System Design: Asked to design a login page.
- I focused on gathering requirements, security considerations, and protection mechanisms.
- We discussed these aspects in detail.
- Behavioral Questions: The manager asked a few, and my responses seemed to leave a positive impression.

Outcome:
- After the interviews, I followed up with the recruiter.
- Initially, I was told the hiring manager had given kind a positive signal.
- However, after about 1.5 weeks, I received a rejection email stating that the feedback was not positive and they would not be proceeding further. The feedback mentioned that the candidate did not sufficiently demonstrate the level of design thinking expected for an SMTS role. The candidate is very good in coding and implementation, thought through the solution and implemented it in a highly optimized approach. However, the candidate lacked in discussing assumptions and made some logical mistakes in the implementation.