Cognizant Interview Experience for SDE

Hello, everyone, I would like to share my recent interview experience with Cognizant for the position of Software Engineer. The interview was conducted virtually due to the ongoing pandemic, but the process was smooth and well-organized.

Application and Shortlisting:

I came across a job opening for a Software Engineer at Cognizant on their official careers page. Excited about the opportunity to work with a renowned IT company, I submitted my application and updated resume.

A few weeks later, I received an email from the Cognizant HR team, inviting me to take an online coding assessment. They had shortlisted my profile based on my educational qualifications and prior work experience.

Online Coding Assessment:

The online coding assessment was held on a platform that provided a set of coding challenges to solve within a specified time limit. The assessment included questions on data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving. I had to write code for various scenarios and ensure my solutions were optimized for time and space complexity.

Technical Interview:

After successfully clearing the online coding assessment, I was invited for a virtual technical interview. The interview panel consisted of two experienced technical leads. The interview was conducted via video conferencing.

Round 1: Technical Proficiency

In the first round, the interviewers assessed my technical knowledge and coding skills. They started by asking me to explain some fundamental concepts of object-oriented programming, data structures, and databases. They also presented a coding problem related to array manipulation and asked me to write the code on an online code editor.

Round 2: Project-Based Discussion

The second round involved discussing my previous projects and experiences. I was asked to elaborate on a web application I had developed during my college days. The interviewers wanted to know about the technologies used, the challenges faced during development, and how I managed to overcome them. They also inquired about my role in the team and how I collaborated with other team members.

Round 3: Behavioral Questions

In the final round, the interviewers asked a series of behavioral questions to assess my communication skills, problem-solving approach, and adaptability to different situations. They were interested in understanding how I handled conflicts, managed deadlines, and dealt with high-pressure scenarios.