Software Engineer

Software EngineerSDE2Medium to Hard

This interview process is for a Software Engineer (SDE2) role at Cashfree, focusing on assessing technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~7d

Experience·2 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$100000 - US$150000

Interview time·150 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Coding proficiency
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Data structure knowledge

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Brush up on fundamental data structures and algorithms.
  2. Practice coding problems regularly, focusing on efficiency and clarity.
  3. Review core computer science concepts (OS, DBMS, Networking).
  4. Understand object-oriented programming principles.
  5. Prepare for system design questions by studying common architectures and trade-offs.
  6. Be ready to discuss your past projects and experiences in detail.
  7. Research Cashfree's products, services, and company culture.
  8. Prepare behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 05 phases

01 / 05
01

Phase 01 of 05

Data Structures & Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) fundamentals. Practice Easy/Medium LeetCode.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables) and Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Dynamic Programming, Greedy Algorithms). Practice problems on LeetCode (Easy/Medium).

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Write a function to reverse a linked list.
  • Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
  • Design a URL shortening service like TinyURL.
  • Explain the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases.
  • How would you design a system to handle millions of concurrent users?
  • Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a team member and how you handled it.
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?
  • How do you stay updated with new technologies?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

India

Interview focus

Strong emphasis on data structures and algorithms.Practical application of coding skills in real-world scenarios.Understanding of distributed systems and microservices architecture.

Common questions

  • Questions related to specific technologies prevalent in the Indian market (e.g., Java, Spring Boot, Microservices).
  • Case studies on scaling applications for a large user base.
  • Discussions on local market trends and their impact on software development.

Tips

  • Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail, highlighting your contributions.
  • Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
  • Understand the fundamentals of computer science and software engineering principles.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

Med

Technical Screening (Coding) · 45 min · Software Engineer / Technical Screener

This initial round focuses on assessing your core technical skills. You will be asked to solve 1-2 coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will evaluate your problem-solving approach, coding proficiency, and understanding of algorithmic concepts. Expect questions on arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, and basic dynamic programming.

What they look for

Logical thinkingAbility to translate requirements into codeUnderstanding of time and space complexityClean and efficient coding practices

Evaluation

  • Correctness of the solution
  • Efficiency of the solution (time and space complexity)
  • Code readability and maintainability
  • Problem-solving approach

Sample questions

  • Find the kth smallest element in a binary search tree.

    TreeBinary Search TreeRecursionIteration
  • Implement a function to check if a string is a palindrome.

    StringTwo Pointers

Prep for this round

  1. 01Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or GeeksforGeeks.
  2. 02Focus on understanding the time and space complexity of your solutions.
  3. 03Write clean, well-commented code.
  4. 04Be prepared to explain your thought process clearly.

Common rejection reasons

  • ×Inability to solve basic coding problems.
  • ×Poor understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.
  • ×Lack of clarity in thought process.
  • ×Inability to explain the solution.

DSA

Coding questions at Cashfree.

Frequently reported on Cashfree loops

Other guides

More at Cashfree.