Competitive Programming is the practice of solving programming problems on a competitive basis. It is a popular way to improve one’s programming skills and to learn about new Algorithms and Data Structures. Competitive Programming can be a valuable asset when applying for jobs, especially in the tech industry.
Companies that hire Interns through Competitive programming in India
Many Indian tech companies like(D.E. Shaw & Co, Citadel, Jane Street, Quant-Co, Zoho, Greenhouse, Workable and so on) value the skills that competitive programmers develop. These companies recognize that competitive programmers possess valuable problem-solving, analytical, and coding abilities that can be applied to a wide range of technical challenges. They often seek out competitive programmers for their internships and full-time positions, as these individuals can make significant contributions to their projects and teams.
Top companies that hire Interns through Competitive Programming:
|
Company Name |
Exam Conducted |
Exam Type |
Approximate Selected Students |
Application Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
D.E. Shaw & Co |
Coding Blocks, Self(online applications ), Campus Recruitment, other coding challenges |
After resume shortlisting there is a written test which is about 60-90 minutes including the aptitude and coding test. Then there is two interview rounds one is technical and other is HR interview. Thus, the entire process takes around 2-3 weeks from beginning till the end. |
Up to 90 interns a year. |
Hiring is done whole year but mostly interns are hired and joined in the summers |
|
Citadel |
Campus Recruitment, Self(online applications ), other coding challenges |
After resume shortlisting there is a coding challenge to assess your programming skills and problem-solving abilities. After that there is a phone interview which is generally about your background, experience and interest in citadel. Finally, there is a on-site interview at citadel’s headquarters. |
It is estimated that citadel selects between 300 and 500 interns per year however this number may vary |
Citadel begins recruiting in October and November for interns, and they often close their applications in January. |
|
Jane Street |
Campus recruitment , Self(Online applications), Coding Boot-camps, Talent acquisition platforms, and other problem solving coding platforms. |
After resume shortlisting there is a problem solving challenge followed by a phone interview and then finally an onsite interview. |
Jane street typically hires about 200 interns each year with a slight preference of students of mathematics, computer science or engineering. |
Jane street begins recruiting in the month of October or November and closes in March or April. |
|
QuantCo |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitment |
After resume shortlisting there is a coding challenge followed by a phone interview and then finally an onsite interview. Based on your performance company will select you. |
QuantCo hires about 200-300 interns each year. Trading: 120-150 interns Software Engineering : 80-150 interns |
Quant Co begins recruitment in the month of October and November and closes in May and June. |
|
Zoho |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitment, Codewars, Leetcode, Virtual workshops. |
After resume shortlisting there is a online coding test followed by a technical interview and finally there is a HR interview. |
Zoho typically hires around 100-200 interns each year, with a slight preference for students of computer science, software engineering, or related fields. |
Zoho internship application begins in march or April and the deadline is typically in May or June. |
|
Greenhouse |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitment, Talent Acquisition Platform, Leetcode, Virtual workshops. |
After resume shortlisting there is a technical assessment followed by a phone interview and finally there is a onsite interview. |
Greenhouse hires approximately 150-250 interns every year |
Greenhouse internship application process typically begins in March or April, and the deadline for applications is typically in May or June. |
|
Workable |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitment, Talent Acquisition Platform, Leetcode, Virtual workshops, data science and machine learning. |
After resume shortlisting there is a technical assessment followed by a phone interview and finally there is a onsite interview. |
Workable typically hires around 200-300 interns each year. This number varies depending on the year and the specific internship program. |
Workable internship positions typically opens in September or October and closes in December or January. |
|
Bullhorn |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitment, Talent Acquisition Platform, Virtual workshops, networking events and industry conferences, Social media engagement. |
After resume shortlisting there is a technical assessment followed by a phone interview and finally there is a onsite interview. |
Bullhorn typically hires around 200-250 interns every year. This number varies depending on the year and the specific internship program. |
Bullhorn internship applications opens in September. Deadline for submitting applications is November. |
|
Recruiter box |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitment, Talent Acquisition Platform, Leetcode, Virtual workshops, data science and machine learning, data driven recruitment, Social media engagement. |
After resume shortlisting there is a technical assessment followed by a phone interview and finally there is a onsite interview. |
Recruiter box typically hire around 50-75 interns each year |
Recruiter box typically starts accepting applications for internships in September or October and closes the application process in December or January. |
|
Square |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitment, Talent Acquisition Platform, Leetcode, Virtual workshops, data science and machine learning, data driven recruitment, Social media engagement. |
After resume shortlisting there is a technical assessment followed by a phone interview and finally there is a onsite interview. |
According to recent data from Square, they typically hire around 500-700 interns each year. |
Square typically starts accepting applications for internships in September or October and closes the application process in December or January. |
|
|
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitments, Partnerships with academic institutions, Talent Acquisition Platform, hacker-rank, Virtual workshops, data science and machine learning, data driven recruitment, Social media engagement. |
After resume shortlisting there is a technical assessment which includes a combination of resume based questions, case-based, behaviorial questions followed by a phone interview and finally there is a onsite interview. |
Pinterest typically hire around 100-150 interns each year. |
Pinterest typically opens its internship application process in October or November and closes it in January or February. |
|
Wood Mackenzie |
Self(Online Applications), Campus Recruitments, Talent Acquisition Platform, Leetcode, Virtual workshops, data science and machine learning, data driven recruitment, Social media engagement. |
After resume shortlisting there is a technical assessment followed by a phone interview and finally there is a onsite interview. |
Wood Mackenzie typically hires around 100-300 interns each year, depending on the specific internship program. |
Wood Mackenzie typically starts accepting applications for internships in September or October and closes the application process in January or February. |
|
|
Hash Code, Code Jam, Kick Start, HackerRank, CodeChef, Self(Online applications). |
Online applications, Resume screening, phone screening, technical assessment, onsite interview are the processes involved . |
Google typically hires around 5,000-7,000 interns each year. |
Google internship applications are usually open around September or October and close in February or March. |
|
Microsoft |
Hash Code, Code Jam, Kick Start, HackerRank, CodeChef, Self(Online applications). |
Online applications, Resume screening, phone screening, technical assessment, onsite interview are the processes involved . |
Microsoft typically hires around 2,000-3,000 interns each year. |
Microsoft typically starts accepting applications for its Quant internship program in late September or early October and closes the application process in mid-January. |
|
Amazon |
Amazon HirePro, CodeForces, Self(Online Applications). |
Online applications, resume screening, online coding tests, skype interview, online challenge, on site interview are the processes involved. |
Amazon typically hires around 3,000-4,000 interns each year. |
Amazon typically starts accepting applications for its internship program in September and closes the application process in January. |
|
Apple |
HackerRank, Direct(on campus) |
Online applications, resume screening, online coding tests, skype interview, online challenge, on site interview are the processes involved. |
Apple typically hires around 6,000-8,000 interns each year. |
Apple typically starts accepting applications for its internship program in December or January and closes the application process in March or April. |
|
IBM |
IBM IPAT, LeetCode, Direct(on campus) |
Online applications, resume screening, online coding tests, skype interview, online challenge, on site interview are the processes involved. |
IBM company typically hires around 1,000-1,500 interns each year. |
IBM typically starts accepting applications for its internship program in late September or early October and closes the application process in mid-January. |
|
Oracle |
LeetCode, Direct(on campus), Oracle |
Online applications, resume screening, online coding tests, skype interview, online challenge, on site interview are the processes involved. |
Oracle typically hires around 1500-2000 interns each year. |
Oracle typically starts accepting applications for its internship program in late September or early October and closes the application process in mid-January. |
|
Cisco |
HackerRank, Direct(on campus) |
Online applications, resume screening, online coding tests, skype interview, online challenge, on site interview are the processes involved. |
Oracle typically hires around 2000-3000 interns each year. |
Cisco typically starts accepting applications for its internship program in mid-August or early September and closes the application process in early December. |
|
Intel |
HackerRank, LeetCode, Direct(on campus) |
Online applications, resume screening, online coding tests, skype interview, online challenge, on site interview are the processes involved. |
Intel typically hires around 2,500-3,500 interns each year. |
Intel typically starts accepting applications for its internship program in late September or early October and closes the application process in mid-January. |
Why Companies Prefer Competitive Programming?
Companies prefer competitive programming for a number of reasons, including:
- Problem-Solving and Programming Skills:- This challenges contestents to solve algorithmic problems within a time limit. This helps improve problem-solving skills and the ability to write efficient and optimized code. It also nurtures a deep understanding of algorithms and data structures.
- Algorithmic Knowledge: Competitive programming requires a deep understanding of algorithms and data structures. Such candidates usually possess good command of algorithms that enable them to resolve a problem with an algorithm at the appropriate time.
- Efficiency and Optimization: Writing efficient and optimized code is central to competitive programming. Writer code fast with little resources in competitive environments! To be effective in a practical application, where it is necessary to use scarce available system resources, these skills are very valuable.
- Critical Thinking: Competitive Programming Develops Critical Thinking Abilities. This approach enables the candidate be able to decompose problems into small subproblems that could provide fresh solutions. Being able to think critically can be instrumental in creating new solutions, especially when developing software products.
- Adaptability: Competitive programmers often encounter a wide array of problems and technologies. Exposing them to this environment, they become versatile in various programming languages and in various “domains of problems”. Employees that can be trained and adopt new technology/tools are of high value for companies.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Team work plays an essential role in many of competitive programming contests that are organized as team-based competitions. In many technology firms, it’s crucial to have an ability to cooperate within a team when working on big projects with multiple programmers involved.
- Innovation and Creativity: Competitive programming compels one’s imagination in conceiving out-of box solutions to a problem. In technologies where there emerges of many products, creativeness and development become paramount in specific job titles such as product development and innovations roles in tech companies.
- Global Talent Pool: These competitions are normally international, thus bringing together talented individuals from different countries and cultures. Many companies seeking great talents usually partake in such contests as a way of identifying potential recruits.
- Performance Under Pressure: Participants are expected to be quick on their feet since these competitions have time bound constraints. In several technology-related positions, this ability of working effectively under time pressures is an essential competence.
An individual having good competitive programming is more likely to be hired by tech companies rather than a person not having competitive programming knowledge.
How does Competitive Programming Help get a Job?
Here are some specific examples of how competitive programming can help you get a job:
- It can help you to prepare for technical interviews. You face questions like those of a technical interview when it comes to problems concerning competitive programming. Practising competitive programming allows you to get faster at solving such problems.
- It enables interaction and networking with other programmers. Programming competitions are an ideal environment to come across programmers from various parts of the globe. It provides an opportunity for networking and learning of the available job opportunities.
- New Technologies and Trends in it. Most of competitive programming problems are concerned with emerging technology and trending issues. You also remain abreast of the industry developments by competing in competitive programming.
- It can help you to develop your personal brand. Competitive programming can be a great way to build your personal brand and showcase your skills to potential employers. You can do this by writing blog posts about your competitive programming experiences, sharing your code on GitHub, and talking about your competitive programming accomplishments in job interviews.
Conclusion:
Concluding on the fact that Competitive programming has become a recognized and respected way for tech companies in India to identify and hire talented interns. Engaging in competitive programming not only enhances your problem-solving and coding skills but also opens up opportunities for internships and job placements in some of the top tech companies. By participating in coding contests and building a strong competitive programming profile, you increase your chances of securing internships with prestigious companies in India’s tech industry. It’s a valuable pathway for aspiring software engineers and developers to kickstart their careers.