Tracelink visited our campus for a recruitment drive, providing an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their skills and secure positions in their esteemed organization.
Stages of the Interview Process:
- Online Assessment
- Technical Interviews: Round 1 & Round 2
- HR Interview
Online Assessment
The assessment consisted of two coding questions:
- Question 1: An easy-level problem.
- Question 2: A medium-hard problem (similar to a Codeforces problem).
Interview Rounds
Technical Interview — Round 1
Questions:
- Introduction: I briefly introduced myself.
- OOP Concepts: Explained the four pillars of OOP using one of my projects.
- Data Structures: Solved a straightforward problem related to arrays with a greedy approach.
- Project-Based Discussion: Engaged in detailed questions about a project involving a payment gateway, leading to an in-depth discussion about its implementation and design.
Technical Interview — Round 2
Interviewer: A South Indian interviewer, which presented some pronunciation challenges.
Questions:
- Introduction: Gave a brief self-introduction again.
- OOP — Inheritance: Discussed the concept of inheritance in depth.
- DBMS: Covered ACID properties in detail.
- Project-Related Questions: Addressed follow-up questions based on my projects.
HR Interview — Round 3
Interviewer: Vice President of Tracelink.
Duration: 1-hour long discussion.
Discussion Points:
- Personal Interests: Discussed hobbies, views on finances, investment habits, and career plans.
Reflection: I was candid during the interview, which, in hindsight, didn’t play in my favor.
Mistakes:
- Additional Income Sources: I mentioned my interest in having multiple income streams, which conflicted with their preference for a long-term, committed employee.
- Mentioning Walmart: I referenced a Walmart blockchain case study without knowing about Tracelink’s dispute with Walmart, which the interviewer found off-putting.
Advice:
- Be cautious about honesty in HR interviews if it contrasts with the company’s long-term vision or values.
- Avoid name-dropping competitors or contentious companies unless you are familiar with the context.
Verdict:
Outcome: Not selected.
Observations: Six candidates were selected, but none had received PPO offers as of now.
Tips for Future Candidates:
- Tracelink’s interview process is manageable with a solid foundation in technical fundamentals.
- For the HR round, keep your answers aligned with the company’s culture and avoid excessive transparency if it could be perceived as conflicting with company goals.
