Current Company: OpenText
Current CTC: ₹18 LPA
College: Tier-3 (arguably Tier-4)
Experience: 3 years, 11 months
My Interview Experience for the SMTS (IC3) Role at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)
- Screening Round:
I was given two random coding problems on HackerRank. They were similar to Codeforces A/B level problems and had to be solved with all test cases passing.
After that, I was asked some basic questions on Distributed Systems.
Result: Got a callback within 2 days informing me that I was selected for the onsite loop rounds.
Loop Rounds
Round 1 – Hiring Manager (HLD + Behavioral)
This round focused deeply on my current project.
I was asked to draw and explain the system architecture.
Follow-up questions were around how I could improve it.
The last 20–25 minutes focused on behavioral questions.
Feedback: The hiring manager was quite friendly. I was able to explain everything clearly and he was satisfied.
Round 2 – SMTS (HLD + LLD on HackerRank)
Started with 5–7 minutes of microservices-related questions.
Then transitioned into a HackerRank test with 3 design-related questions.
Add to Cart – Given a system design, I had to identify bottlenecks and suggest latency improvements.
BookMyShow Design – I was asked to design the API, schema, and high-level architecture.
LLD Implementation – Given an interface, I had to implement two classes.
Unfortunately, the interviewer didn’t engage much; he didn’t ask any cross-questions and it felt more like a monologue.
Concluded with one behavioral question.
Feedback: The interview felt long and a bit disconnected due to the lack of interaction.
Round 3 – PMTS (DS + HLD + Behavioral)
Started with the classic Leetcode question: Find the missing number, followed by a variation where multiple numbers could be missing.
Then moved on to HLD: I was asked to design a URL Shortener Service.
Ended with one behavioral question.
Feedback: This was a smooth interview with good interaction and problem-solving discussion.
Round 4 – Bartender Round (Director of Engineering)
Note: OCI “Bartender Rounds” are conducted by someone from a different team, not related to the one you’re being hired for.
Started with a detailed discussion on my current project and architecture.
Asked many follow-up and behavioral questions.
Then came the problem-solving segment: Josephus Problem.
He was very strict about time and said, “If you can solve it in the next 10 minutes, great. Otherwise, I’ll conclude the interview.”
I solved it in 6 minutes, thanks to my strong grip on recursion.
Feedback: The interviewer was a bit stern, but the round was intense and rewarding.
Round 5 – PMTS (USA-based, Technical + Behavioral)
Started with my project walkthrough.
Then moved to scenario-based HLD questions.
Asked 3 behavioral questions.
Finally, I was given a custom DFS/BFS problem (not on Leetcode), which had several tricky edge cases.
Feedback: Managed to solve it successfully. The round was well-balanced between technical depth and behavioral aspects.
Final Result
Got a call the very next day — I was selected!
Final Offer:
Total Compensation (1st Year): ₹62 LPA
Base: ₹37 LPA
RSUs: $75,000 (vested 40-30-20-10 over 4 years)
A Note to Tier-3/Tier-4 College Students and Job Seekers
To all the hard-working folks from Tier-3 or Tier-4 colleges — I started my career at ₹2.36 LPA. After 2 years of learning and upskilling, I moved to OpenText with ₹16 LPA. Now, after another 2 years, I’ve landed at OCI with ₹62 LPA.
What changed? Not my background. Just my effort.
If you’re dreaming big, don’t stop. Work smart, stay consistent. Time will change for you. Since I didn’t have seniors to guide me in college, I’m now planning to mentor others — free of cost — who are in the same situation.
It's my way of paying it forward.
