Zoho Interview Experience for SDE 1

Securing a job interview at Zoho’s headquarters in Chennai was an exciting opportunity for me. The interview process was rigorous and comprehensive, consisting of multiple rounds that tested both coding skills and system design abilities. In this article, I’ll share my interview experience, from the initial coding challenges to the challenging system design round.

Round 1: The Coding and Aptitude Test (1 hour 15 minutes)

The first round of the interview began with a coding and aptitude test. In this round, there were 10 coding questions, all in Java. Instead of asking us to write code from scratch, they provided existing code snippets, and our task was to predict the output. These questions primarily covered basic Java concepts and the Standard Template Library (STL) in Java. While the difficulty level ranged from easy to medium, it was essential to have a solid understanding of Java to excel. In addition to the coding questions, we faced 10 aptitude questions. Unlike the coding section, these were not multiple-choice questions, requiring us to work out the solutions. I managed to clear this round, which was a great start.

Round 2: The Coding Challenge (4 hours)

The second round was a coding challenge that tested our problem-solving skills in more depth. This round consisted of eight coding questions and had a total time duration of four hours. The challenge was unique in that we were presented with two questions at a time, each with a 30-minute time limit. The catch was that once we wrote the code, we had to explain both the code and the underlying logic to the interviewers.

The questions covered a wide range of topics, including Hashmap, Dynamic Programming, 2D matrix manipulation, and XOR operations. While the level of difficulty still ranged from easy to medium, the pressure of explaining the solutions added an extra layer of challenge. Successfully clearing this round was a significant achievement, as it demonstrated a strong grasp of various coding concepts.

They had allowed to write the code in C++, Java , C#

Round 3: System Design (The Decisive Round) (4hours)

The final round of the interview process was the system design round. In this round, I faced eight different system design questions that required me to design systems that met specific criteria. The questions were complex and demanded a deep understanding of system architecture, scalability, and trade-offs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to crack this round and was ultimately rejected.

Conclusion:

The Zoho interview process was a comprehensive evaluation of coding skills and system design abilities. From the initial coding challenges to the daunting system design round, it tested candidates at various levels. While I didn’t make it through to the final stage, the experience was valuable and educational.

For aspiring Zoho candidates, it’s essential to have a strong foundation in Java, as well as problem-solving skills that span a range of topics. Additionally, preparing for system design questions is crucial, as they can be the deciding factor in securing a role at this innovative company.

Overall, the Zoho interview experience was challenging but rewarding, offering a glimpse into the rigorous standards and expectations of one of India’s leading tech companies.