Background: Leading Global B2C Company, Gurgaon
Experience: 5 Years
Location: Bangalore, India
Current: 31 LPA
Inital Ask: 40 LPA
How I Applied
I was contacted by a third party recruiter through Instahyre. After a brief discussion, I was shortlisted for the interview process.
Round 1 – Data Structures, Coding & Statistics (1 Hr)
Coding Questions
- Implement Mean, Median, and Mode in core Python without using library functions.
- Implement a Decision Tree from scratch in Python.
I was not able to complete the Gini Impurity logic but explained concepts like threshold selection, depth, and other parameters.
Probability Questions
. Given a biased coin, how would you generate unbiased outcomes?
. If a 1-meter stick is broken into 3 random parts, what is the probability that the parts can form a triangle?
✅ Verdict: Selected
Round 2 – Hands-on ML Coding (1 Hr)
Asked to perform operations like GroupBy and Window functions on a dataset using PySpark. (I requested to solve it using Pandas/SQL due to syntax not in memory, and the interviewer agreed, However he was not too happy about it)
Implement Linear Regression from scratch using:
Core Python, Pytorch
Discussion Around
. Data leakage
. Feature engineering
. Lag features in time-series forecasting
✅ Verdict: Selected
(Received feedback later that my performance was considered average.)
Round 3 – ML/DL Breadth & Domain Expertise (30–40 Mins)
Time-series forecasting and different forecasting models
Cold-start problem in forecasting
Zero-sales/dead article forecasting problem
Resume and project deep dive
The interviewer validated my experience and projects thoroughly, and I was able to answer all project-related questions confidently.
✅ Verdict: Selected
Round 4 – ML Case Studies & Fitment (Hiring Manager) (1 Hr 10 Mins)
He went over the previous discussions, shared the interview feedback with me, and then asked why I thought the interviewer had given that feedback, especially regarding the areas they considered comparatively weaker.
Statistics Questions
What is a Random Variable, and what is random about it?
I misunderstood the intent and explained random initialization in neural networks instead of the probability perspective.
Explain any distribution other than the Normal Distribution and its applications.
→ Discussed Student’s t-distribution.
What is the Central Limit Theorem?
I could explain its applications but could not clearly recall the exact theorem statement.
What is Bias, and why is it called so in the Bias-Variance tradeoff?
Other Topics
Resume and project discussions
Basic MLOps concepts like Redis and Kafka and how they were used in projects, Real time latency
The HM was quite transparent about the company culture, mentioning:
. High ownership expectations and initatives
. Upon asking, he mentioned limited benefits: no lunch/snacks, no cab service, little work-from-home, and limited flexibility in timings
At the same time, he did said that company values employees and do not fire often.
❓ Verdict: Got call from company HR, asking how was interview and expectation, I asked for 45 LPA (plus relocation), but the HR team seemed hesitant and inital HR upon calling for confirmation informed No hire and Rejected.
Update: Work culture is a major factor for me, and only higher compensation could offset that concern. So I decided to not go any lower. Since I am not a frequent switcher, I would prefer to wait for an MNC offer.
