HCL Interview Experience for Associate Consultant 2024

I had an interview with HCL for the Associate Consultant role. Here are the questions they asked:

Round 1: Coding Test

Two Data Structures and Algorithms questions with 5 Java based MCQ Questions:

• Find the next smaller next greater array
• Find the minimum number of coins that make a change

For Java MCQ Question: Refer to this Java MCQ Question

Round 2: Data Structure and Algorithm Round

Again Two Data Structures and Algorithm questions with some Project Questions

• Intersection of two sorted linked list
• Find the number of Islands
  

I did a project on spring boot and the interviewer asked these questions:

1. How does Spring Boot differ from the Spring framework?
2. What is the purpose of the @SpringBootApplication annotation in Spring Boot?
3. Explain the role of Spring Data JPA in a Spring Boot application.
4. How can you configure external properties in Spring Boot?

Round 3: HR Round

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
2. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
3. Why are you interested in working for our company?
4. Where do you see yourself in five years?
5. Can you describe a challenging work situation and how you handled it?
6. What motivates you to come to work every day?
7. How do you manage stress in your professional life?
8. Can you tell us about a time when you disagreed with a decision at work and how you handled it?

Overall, the interview went well and I could answer most of the questions confidently. I received the offer with two weeks later.