Software Development Engineer at Samsung

How it went

What they would tell you

How to prepare

Their background

Round by round

1. 1

   Technical Round60 min

   The interview started with my introduction. Then the interviewer asked me about the question and the solution from the online assessment. It was a 3-D dynamic programming problem. I explained the question and my solution to him clearly. Next, he asked me about graphs and requested that I write the code for Depth-First Search (DFS) on paper. After that, he asked me to explain the approach to solve the "Surrounded Regions" problem. He didn't ask me to write the code, just the approach.

   He then asked if I knew C++, since my primary coding language is Python. I told him that I do know C++, but I don’t have much practice solving problems in it. He asked me about Red-Black Tree🥲, but I had no idea about it. I honestly said I didn’t know. He nodded with disappointment, and I got the feeling that I wouldn't be selected to move forward.

   After that, he asked me about my projects and my summer internship experience, which was with a service-based company. Finally, he gave me a puzzle to solve: the classic "2 Eggs and 100 Floors" problem. I tried to solve it but wasn’t able to come up with the correct solution.

   • 3-D Dynamic Programing (similar to the standard problem)
   • Graphs DFS
   • Surrounded Regions (standard question)
   • Red Black Tree
   • 2 Eggs and 100 Floors (puzzle)
2. 2

   HR Round30 min

   4 out 10 were selected for the HR round. I was one of them.

   This was the toughest HR round I’ve faced so far. The HR interviewer appeared to be in his early 60s. He started with my introduction and listened attentively to everything I said. Then he asked how my technical round went. After that, the grilling began.

   • He almost cross-questioned everything I mentioned during my introduction. For example, he asked why I didn’t join the service-based company where I did my summer internship, why I chose Computer Science for my B.Tech, and even why I chose my current college.
   • He then asked about my future plans. I replied that I see myself in a good position at Samsung after five years, having made significant contributions to the company. He immediately told me not to give textbook answers and said he’s been hearing such responses for over 25 years—more than my age. He told me to be honest. So I told him that I might go for a Masters degree after a few years ( I definitely shouldn't have said that). He said he had expected that, as he assumed I would pursue higher studies since I’m from Telangana. He asked, “Then why do you want to work at Samsung?” I told him I wanted to gain work experience first.( I was damn sure that I will not be selected and I was just being honest). The funny part was when I asked him if the company would support me in pursuing my Masters. He said Samsung is generally supportive if you're pursuing an M.Tech in India while continuing to work(good to know though).
   • He then asked me how many friends I have. I said I have a small circle—about four close friends. He asked what they think my strengths are. I told him they say my strength is my “never-give-up” attitude. Then he asked, “Why do you think they’re friends with you?” (Seriously, who asks these kind of questions😐). I said, “Because I care for them a lot( I still have no idea why I said that 😶🌫️)
   • He gave me two puzzles. One of them was: “How can you make 8 equal pieces of a round cake with 3 cuts?” I gave him three different solutions because he wasn’t satisfied with the first two. I don’t remember the other puzzle he asked.

   Verdict: Selected (I don't know how🥳) All the 4 students were selected, HR grilled all of them though.

   • 3 cuts to cut the round cake into 8 equal pieces

What came up