I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at IBM in May 2024
Interview
The interview process starts with a call with a recruiter. From there you have a somewhat technical/behavioral interview for the first round, then a system design interview, and then a culture interview. The process was easy and I loved getting to know everyone. What was frustrating was that close to the end of my process, despite getting positive reviews with everyone I had interviewed with, I was told the company was looking for something specific. Early on in the process I was told the complete opposite and that they look for polyglots and people who can get up to speed quickly which I showed I could do. I was told once you pass the system design section it's rare to not get a job offer. I heard that I got a yes from everyone after finishing the system design round but that all of a sudden the needs had changed. This was extremely frustrating and confusing. I understand that when companies are hiring they may look for something specific and it's not personal. But it feels like that should have been done prior to actually have 5+ people interviewing for 4 open spots.
Applied through the company portal, completed an online coding assessment, followed by a technical interview covering data structures, algorithms, OOP concepts, and project experience. Concluded with an HR discussion about the role, career goals, availability, and compensation expectations.
## IBM Interview Process
The process began with initial resume shortlisting, followed by competitive **DSA and coding rounds** to test core technical concepts. After clearing those, I cleared two comprehensive interviews with the **Hiring Manager/Tech Expert** and **HR**.
Describe the interview process: The process consisted of three rounds: an initial online assessment focusing on data structures and algorithms, followed by two technical video interviews. The technical rounds were intensive, covering system design, live coding, and deep-dive questions into previous project experience and database optimization.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Design a scalable URL shortener system and explain how you would handle high read/write throughput.