ShareChat

Software Engineer

Software EngineerSoftware Engineer IMedium

The Software Engineer I interview at ShareChat is designed to assess foundational programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit for early-career professionals. It typically involves a mix of technical and behavioral assessments to ensure candidates can contribute effectively to our engineering teams.

Rounds

3

Timeline

~7 days

Experience

0 - 2 yrs

Salary Range

US$100000 - US$150000

Total Duration

120 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Problem-solving skills
Coding proficiency
Data structures and algorithms knowledge
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles
Communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Cultural fit and alignment with ShareChat values

Behavioral and Communication Skills

Ability to articulate thought process
Clarity of explanations
Active listening
Enthusiasm and positive attitude

Preparation Tips

1Brush up on fundamental data structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables) and algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Recursion, Dynamic Programming).
2Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or GeeksforGeeks, focusing on Easy and Medium difficulty levels.
3Understand Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts (Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, Abstraction).
4Review basic computer science concepts like operating systems, databases, and networking fundamentals.
5Prepare to discuss your projects, internships, and any open-source contributions in detail.
6Research ShareChat's products, mission, and values to understand how you can contribute.
7Prepare answers to common behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
8Be ready to ask insightful questions about the role, team, and company culture.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees, Hash Tables). Practice problems.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures. Cover Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees (Binary Trees, BSTs), and Hash Tables. Understand their implementations, time/space complexities, and common use cases. Practice problems related to each.

2

Algorithms

Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Recursion, DP). Practice problems.

Weeks 3-4: Focus on Algorithms. Cover Sorting algorithms (Bubble, Merge, Quick), Searching algorithms (Binary Search), Recursion, and basic Dynamic Programming. Understand their time and space complexities. Solve problems involving these algorithms.

3

OOP & System Design Basics

Week 5: OOP Concepts and Basic System Design.

Week 5: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and System Design Basics. Review OOP principles (Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, Abstraction). Understand basic system design concepts like scalability, availability, and common design patterns. For SE I, focus on understanding the concepts rather than deep design.

4

Behavioral & Project Review

Week 6: Behavioral Prep (STAR method) & Project Review.

Week 6: Behavioral Preparation and Project Review. Prepare answers for common behavioral questions using the STAR method. Review your resume and be ready to discuss your projects, internships, and technical challenges faced.

5

Mock Interviews & Company Research

Week 7: Mock Interviews & Company Research.

Week 7: Mock Interviews and Company Research. Conduct mock interviews to simulate the actual interview environment. Research ShareChat's products, culture, and recent news. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.

Commonly Asked Questions

Write a function to reverse a linked list.
Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
Describe a situation where you had to deal with a conflict in a team.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
How would you design a URL shortener (high-level)?
What is polymorphism?
Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.

Location-Based Differences

Bangalore

Interview Focus

Understanding of core computer science concepts.Ability to write clean and efficient code.Problem-solving approach.Enthusiasm for learning and growth.

Common Questions

Tell me about a challenging project you worked on during your internship.

How do you approach debugging a complex issue?

Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly.

What are your favorite data structures and why?

Tips

Be prepared to discuss your academic projects and internships in detail.
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode (Easy/Medium).
Research ShareChat's products and values.
Ask thoughtful questions about the team and the role.

Gurugram

Interview Focus

Teamwork and collaboration skills.Communication clarity.Motivation and career goals.Fundamental understanding of algorithms.

Common Questions

How do you handle constructive criticism from peers?

Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a team to achieve a goal.

What are your career aspirations in the next 3-5 years?

Explain the concept of time complexity with an example.

Tips

Highlight examples of teamwork and communication from your academic or project experience.
Be clear about your short-term and long-term career goals.
Prepare to discuss your understanding of basic data structures and algorithms.
Showcase your eagerness to learn and contribute to ShareChat's mission.

Process Timeline

1
Coding Round 145m
2
Coding Round 245m
3
Behavioral Round30m

Interview Rounds

3-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Coding Round 1

Coding round to test fundamental programming skills and data structures.

Technical Interview - CodingEasy
45 minSoftware Engineer (Mid-level or Senior)

This round focuses on assessing your fundamental programming skills and problem-solving abilities. You will be asked to write code to solve one or two coding challenges, typically involving arrays, strings, or basic data structures. The interviewer will evaluate your approach, the correctness of your code, and your ability to explain your solution and its complexity.

What Interviewers Look For

Basic coding proficiency.Understanding of core data structures.Logical thinking.Ability to explain their thought process.

Evaluation Criteria

Correctness of code
Efficiency of solution (time and space complexity)
Code readability and style
Problem-solving approach

Questions Asked

Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.

ArrayHash TableTwo Pointers

Reverse a singly linked list.

Linked ListRecursionIteration

Find the middle element of a linked list.

Linked ListTwo Pointers

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode (Easy/Medium).
2Focus on understanding the time and space complexity of your solutions.
3Be prepared to explain your thought process clearly.
4Write clean, readable code.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to solve basic coding problems.
Poor understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.
Lack of clear communication.
Negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm.
2

Coding Round 2

Focus on algorithms, problem-solving, and efficiency.

Technical Interview - AlgorithmsMedium
45 minSoftware Engineer (Senior)

This round delves deeper into your algorithmic knowledge. You might be asked to solve problems involving sorting, searching, recursion, or basic dynamic programming. The interviewer will assess your ability to choose the right algorithm, implement it correctly, and discuss its efficiency and potential optimizations. Handling edge cases is also crucial here.

What Interviewers Look For

Proficiency in common algorithms.Ability to think critically about different solutions.Attention to detail.Good communication of technical concepts.

Evaluation Criteria

Algorithm design and implementation
Handling of edge cases
Optimization of solutions
Clear explanation of trade-offs

Questions Asked

Implement Merge Sort or Quick Sort.

SortingAlgorithms

Given a binary tree, perform a level-order traversal.

TreeBreadth-First Search

Find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.

ArraySortingQuickSelect

Preparation Tips

1Practice problems related to sorting, searching, recursion, and dynamic programming.
2Understand the time and space complexity of various algorithms.
3Think about edge cases and how to handle them.
4Be prepared to discuss alternative solutions and their pros/cons.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to solve slightly more complex coding problems.
Poor understanding of algorithms like sorting or searching.
Difficulty in explaining trade-offs between different approaches.
Lack of attention to edge cases.
3

Behavioral Round

Assesses behavioral fit, motivation, and career aspirations.

Behavioral And Managerial InterviewEasy
30 minHiring Manager or HR

This round is typically conducted by the hiring manager or an HR representative. It focuses on your behavioral aspects, career aspirations, and how well you align with ShareChat's culture. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, teamwork, conflict resolution, and why you're interested in ShareChat. Be prepared to share specific examples using the STAR method.

What Interviewers Look For

How well you communicate your thoughts and experiences.Your ability to work in a team.Your motivation and alignment with ShareChat's values.Your potential for growth.

Evaluation Criteria

Communication clarity
Teamwork and collaboration potential
Problem-solving approach
Motivation and career goals
Cultural fit

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work or in a project and how you overcame it.

BehavioralProblem Solving

Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member.

BehavioralTeamworkConflict Resolution

Why are you interested in ShareChat?

MotivationCompany Fit

What are your career goals for the next 3-5 years?

Career GoalsMotivation

Preparation Tips

1Prepare answers to common behavioral questions using the STAR method.
2Research ShareChat's company culture and values.
3Be ready to talk about your strengths, weaknesses, and career goals.
4Show enthusiasm for the role and the company.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Poor communication skills.
Lack of enthusiasm or interest in the company.
Inability to provide specific examples for behavioral questions.
Mismatch in cultural values or expectations.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at ShareChat

View all
Amount of Time for Binary Tree to Be InfectedMEDIUMMaximum Count of Positive Integer and Negative IntegerEASY