Status: New grad, BS CS Top Bottom tier school. Currently work at "Big N" tech company. Started few months ago. Solved 307 Leetcode problems. I do them casually.

Paypal information :
Position: SWE at Paypal
Location: PA
Date: November, 2020

• I signed NDA so I won't speak on specific questions asked.

1st Round HackerRank (90 minutes):

• Two problems. One Leetcode easy and one Leetcode medium.
• Took me about 30-40 minutes to solve both.
• Was reached out by recruiter to move onto next round.
• My solution wasn't optimal. Did not really try so hard.

2nd Round (Technical Phone with Tech Lead or manager, 30 minutes)

• Honestly, I didn't even know what position I applied for. I applied to 3-4 Paypal positions and none of them got updated on my workday. During interview, I found out that it was for a front-end position. Don't be oblivious like me.
• Was asked a lot about front-end frameworks. I was VERY rusty.
• Really nice guy, casual interview. He was understanding that I haven't touched front end development in awhile.
• Conversation was very heavy towards React and Angular
• Went over my hackerrank. Didn't have solution in front of me but I went through my solution (from memory). Went through run times and potential optimization.
• Honestly surprised I passed this round.

Passed to final round the next day. Recruiter gave me information and said that it will be a solving coding questions. Was given agenda, stating the interviewer will be the same interviewer as last time.

3rd final round(Technical + Conversation with product owner, 2 hours)

• Turns out the agenda was completely off. Interviewed with 5 people and 0 Leetcode.
• I did terrible. Was asked to write some JS and CSS. I prepped for React + leetcode. Didn't expect to write CSS and Vanilla js.
• Looking back, it was very easy, I just forgot my fundamentals.
• 2/3 technical interviewers were very sarcastic and had a huge ego.
• Fun fact: the one interviewer was a tinder match from a year ago...
• After technical, had a conversation with Product owner and a QA tester(?). Talked about product, goals, team culture. They were very high in energy and a bit overwhelming. Good conversation, better than last interview.

Got rejected. Technical didn't go so well, wish I got my fundamental and syntax down before the interview.

My thoughts

• HR was very responsive but provided incorrect agenda. I took the agenda as leetcode whiteboard style, but turned out to be like basics 101.
• I personally think the technical interviewers were a bit too sarcastic and arrogant. Making comments/jokes while I am thinking. Everyone else was really nice though.
• I am not sure if the tinder match had any negative biased that could potentially impact the final results of the job.
• Team culture seemed too upbeat for my likings and I felt like I would be putting up a fake smile if i was to work for them. Not too fond of front-end work either.

Biggest tip: prepare for everything not just algos, don't forget your fundamentals !!