Courses Allowed: B.E./B.Tech ( All branches ) and MCA
Job Location: Pune/Banglore
An overview of my preparation:
- As a final-year MCA student, I had prepared all the fundamental computer science subjects like Networks, DBMS ( Database Management Systems ), Operating Systems and OOPs.
- Although I hadn’t extensively engaged in competitive coding, I dedicated time to practicing and studying data structures through resources like GeeksforGeeks and LeetCode.
- My programming languages included C++ and JAVA. In tech stack, I learned HTML, CSS, Javascript, and ReactJS.
- I practiced SQL queries from Leetcode 50 questions SQL Badge.
- In my resume, I included three projects: a portfolio website, a complex web project, and a basic notepad application.
A Comprehensive Account of Interview Experience at Deutsche Bank:
Commencing with an online coding test, the interview process at Deutsche Bank included four rigorous interview rounds. After the coding round, the shortlisted students were called for interviews on campus, with results being promptly announced on the same day.
Online Coding Round:
The test was held on the HackerEarth platform. There were three coding questions with medium difficulty.
- The first question was based on the greedy approach.
- The second question was based on the binary search approach.
- The third question was based on the dynamic programming approach.
I was able to solve 2 questions fully and a few test cases for the third question. I got shortlisted for the interviews. The shortlisting might have considered Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) along with the coding round, as a significant number of shortlisted candidates boasted CGPAs of 8.5 and above.
Offline Interview Rounds:
Round 1 – Technical Interview Round I: This round’s duration was 30 to 40 minutes on average.
- The first question was to introduce myself. I gave an elaborate introduction including my skills, projects, internship and hobbies.
- Projects discussion and then I was asked to draw the ER diagram and explain the entities and relations between them from one of my projects.
- List all Data Structures and define them.
- A puzzle. I had not seen this puzzle before and it said that a boy is stranded on an island which is surrounded by 10m wide water, you have 2 wooden logs of 7m each and how will you save him? Although unfamiliar with the puzzle, I offered multiple approaches, ultimately presenting a creative solution though it wasn’t the most appropriate one.
- My favorite data structure. I told linked list and expected that some question from it would be asked but to my surprise, the interviewer asked me a Binary Tree problem.
- The problem was a GeeksforGeeks question to check the symmetry of the tree. I had solved it before so I coded the solution before him. Link to the problem: https://shorturl.at/fgEMZ
- Next, he moved on to DBMS. The questions asked were about advanced DBMS such as clustering and parallelism in databases.
- Lastly, he asked if I had any questions for him. I would advise you to ask some unique and self-made questions because they point out if you ask a very common question.
- Concluding the interview, I inquired about the company’s technology and training programs.
Round 2 – Technical Interview Round II: This round’s duration was around 45 minutes.
- The interview began with my introduction. I gave the same introduction as in the previous round. A professionally written introduction with precise vocabulary is the key, focusing on achievements and only including the skills in which you are very confident.
- A coding problem followed, revolving around counting different note types for ATM withdrawals. I approached it using two methods, each with distinct time complexities.
- He asked me to tell him about my projects. Make sure to deploy all your projects and not just show them on localhost. I briefly explained the functioning of one of my deployed projects.
- Next, based on a form on my website and I was asked to write some SQL queries. The queries were easy to medium level addressing topics like group by and distinct keywords.
- The next was a Generic Tree based DSA problem. The interviewer began by presenting a matrix containing family members and their respective children, organized row-wise. He asked about the appropriate data structure for storing such information. I responded that a tree would be suitable for this purpose. Consequently, he requested me to write a code to input this matrix data while ensuring the retention of family relationships within the tree structure (given the possibility of numerous children, making it a generic tree scenario).
- After this, the interviewer asked me questions on advanced DBMS such as the CAP theorem, scaling patterns, partitioning and sharding were asked. I also explained clustering, indexing and master-slave architecture in DBMS.
- Concluding the interview with a question of mine, I asked about how technology and finance intersect within the organization.
Round 3 – Professional Fitness: This round’s duration was around 30 minutes on average.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Motivation for Joining Deutsche Bank: Discussed reasons for wanting to be a part of the organization.
- An elaborate discussion of my internship details, cross-referencing them with my resume. Talked about the organization, my role, my learnings, how I secured the internship, and why I chose to work there.
- The interviewer requested to share one of the most challenging or setback moments in my life.
- Discussed my father’s and mother’s occupations and shared information about my family and siblings.
- Discussed the hobbies and sports I actively engage in.
Round 4 – HR: This round’s duration was around 25 minutes on average.
- Discussed my journey from 10th grade till the present. I narrated a comprehensive and detailed account of my experiences up to this point.
- Explored my perspective on the evolving AI and its implications for the job sector.
- Then the interviewer explained a situation in detail and I was asked about my approach to addressing it.
- Why do you want to be a part of Deutsche Bank?
This was the final round and the results were declared shortly.
Final Verdict: Shortlisted
Some tips:
- Avoid adopting a casual approach, even for a moment.
- Begin the interview with a proper greeting, such as “Good day” or “Hello, how are you?” and conclude with appropriate salutations.
- Think loud and always tell the time complexity of every code you write.
- Showcase your projects on GitHub or any other hosting website.
- Be honest about everything in your resume and interviews.