I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Block in Nov 2021
Interview
Recruiter screen then coderpad Python and Sql round each
Python guy was really and he wanted me to succeed . He was patient and helping me . Solved almost 90% algorithm but not very efficient
SQL interviewer was in super hurry . There were 8 questions posted on screen with table . Out of which 4 were very easy and 4 with medium difficulty. After starting 5-10 min went in intro and last 5 min he didn't allow me to write so technically I got 30 min to answer 8 questions.
First question I solved in less than 2 min , 2nd again less than 2 min but got stuck with stupid thing . Only distinct keyword was missing , I said I will come back to this later, so unfortunately I spent additional 10 min there . Stupid me. Again 3rd and 4th question solved within 2 minutes. So far I spent around 25-30 of interview.. then 5th question again easy solved in 2-3 minutes, then 6th question solved in 7-8 min but not with 100% accuracy .. that left me with 5 min on clock. But after this point he didn't allow me to read or write any code for last 2 questions. I could have easily solved 1 of them . And I would have corrected 6th one . With 6th he was not happy because he wanted to see rank function but I used different approach.. funny .. Immediately after 6th question he started giving me feedback that I am not meeting expectation . He looking for better outcome but I had realized his intend earlier because as soon as he saw lead position that I was interviewing his expression changed . He was member on same team I guess. Then I checked his background on LinkedIn. He was Data analyst with less then 4 year relevant experience. No CS degree not master degree. I am being with 10 yr experience , CS understand , analytics master and certifications and 2-3 fortune 500 experience with programming experience really getting evaluated by guy half the my experience with no programming or much technical background.
What you can expect ? My day was bad ,
I didn't do bad at all . Infact it was one of my best interview for me . Only thing that I didn't manage time properly .I had no expectations from python round but I knew this is guy who rejected me right away..
Advise to Square hiring managers please find better interviewers if u want to hire best . Robotic interviewer who has fixed mindset and not willing adapt and expecting to solve 100% answer in short time is ridiculousle . You will keep losing quality candidi
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Easy to medium SQL 2 table join invoices and clients. Find total invoice , client , top client by invoice , exists in one table but in other , latest 10 invoices etc.
Python - list for dictionary of book with properties
find pair of books to optimize weight with total price of x