Suppose you’re here to read about the Zoho Interview Experience. In that case, you’re likely either someone preparing for your own Zoho off-campus interview experience or just curious about how things went down for me.
You’ll be tested not just on your technical knowledge but on your problem-solving approach, and there’s always an element of surprise.
It’s not enough to know; you have to think on your feet, too.
Round 1: 20 MCQ Questions
Date: 10th February 2024
I was thrown into a mix of 20 questions — 10 programming in Java and 10 aptitudes. If you’re planning on breezing through the basics, let me stop you right there.
Programming in Java Questions:
These weren’t just your typical “what’s the output?” types. Think deeper — pointer concepts, yes, in Java. You had to handwrite the outputs.
Trust me, get comfortable with how pointers work behind the scenes, especially when you’re dealing with array manipulation and reference variables.
Aptitude Questions:
Ah, the famous Zoho train question — this seems to be a rite of passage at Zoho interviews.
There were also typical topics like work, speed, and probability, but don’t assume these will be the same as in any generic aptitude test you’ve practiced. I was sweating through most of the math.
Key Takeaway: Focus on time management. Java and aptitude questions combined will eat up your time, especially if you’re stuck with something like the train problem!
Round 2 : 6 DSA Questions in HackerRank Style
Date: 28th February 2024
This was hands down the most intense part of my Zoho off-campus interview experience.
It’s a Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) round, where they drop a HackerRank contest link, and off you go for 2 hours.
The contest started at exactly 10:30 AM, and the questions weren’t just tough — they were like a punch to the gut.
I’m used to solving DSA problems, but these? Wow. I managed to solve 3 out of 6, and even though that felt like a win, it still left me wondering whether I had done enough.
Here’s where it got wild though: the invigilators? Yeah, they wanted to see not only how many problems you solved but how you explained your code.
That’s right — your thought process matters just as much as your coding skills. Here are a few similar questions they threw at me:
5. Given a string, we should print “Yes” if the string can be manipulated into a palindrome or not (HackerRank)
6. Equal Stacks
Some of these questions are easy to medium, and some… well, they’ll have you staring at the screen like it’s an alien language.
Key Takeaway: Focus on how you explain your approach to solving the problem. Be ready to articulate your thought process, not just write perfect code.
Round 3: Advanced Programming Round
Date: March 2024 (Sorry, I was too tense to remember the exact date)
Now, let me tell you this: System Design is where they separate the coders from the engineers.
The task was to design a system that could perform basic operations like SET, GET, UPDATE, UNSET, COUNT, BEGIN, ROLLBACK, and COMMIT using suitable data structures.
And no, this wasn’t some basic CRUD app.
I had two hours to build the system. It wasn’t just about completing the task; they were gauging how you approach the problem, which data structures you choose, and why.
The challenge was to implement a transactional database-like system where BEGIN, ROLLBACK, and COMMIT mattered — just like in real life.
I’m not going to lie, this was tough. The key was to balance time complexity with the clarity of operations.
Key Takeaway: Brush up on transactional systems and be very comfortable with hashmaps, stacks, and linked lists. You’ll need them here.
My Journey Ends Here, or Does It?
Not making it through the third round was disheartening, no doubt.
But here’s the thing: Zoho is known for reaching out to candidates if there’s a specific team requirement later on.
So even if you don’t get an offer right away, don’t lose hope. Keep honing your skills and stay in touch with them.
Tips to Crack the Zoho Off-Campus Interview
Understand Pointers — The first round will grill you on your knowledge of pointer concepts, especially in languages like Java.
Practice Aptitude — Don’t just focus on programming. Be prepared for aptitude tests. Time management is crucial.
DSA is Key — The second round revolves around data structures and algorithms. Practice on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
Prepare for System Design — Start practicing system design concepts early. Zoho’s third round can be unpredictable, and the more comfortable you are with designing systems, the better.
Stay Calm Under Pressure — The rounds are time-bound, and managing stress is just as important as your technical knowledge.
Final Thoughts on the Zoho Interview Experience
My Zoho Interview Experience (Off-Campus) may have ended in the third round, but that doesn’t mean it was a failure. Every interview is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Zoho has a rigorous selection process, but if you’re passionate about coding, problem-solving, and system design, you’ll enjoy the challenge.
I hope my Zoho Off Campus Interview Experience gives you a clearer picture of what to expect. If you’ve got an interview coming up, don’t be scared — be prepared.
And remember, whether you make it to the end or not, the journey is worth it.
Good luck!
