Guangzhou Group Interview: A Beijing Back-end Development Engineer’s Three Challenges
As I sat down for the group interview with the Guangzhou team, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The interviewer, a little sister, greeted me with a warm smile and asked about my blog, specifically my article on binary conversion. She inquired if I could write a binary-to-hex conversion algorithm, to which I replied that I had already written one. However, she wasn’t satisfied with my answer, suggesting that there was a more optimal way to approach the problem.
Challenge 1: Binary Conversion
I took a deep breath and began to explain the steps involved in binary-to-hex conversion. I described the process of grouping binary digits into sets of four, converting each set to its corresponding hex value, and then combining the results. The little sister listened attentively, but I could sense her skepticism. She asked me to elaborate on my approach, and I found myself becoming more and more defensive. Just when I thought I had finally satisfied her, she asked me to wait while she consulted with the other interviewer.
Challenge 2: C++ Containers
The second interviewer, a male, began to ask me questions about C++ containers. I hesitated, feeling embarrassed about my lack of knowledge in this area. He asked me to explain the differences between various containers, such as vectors and lists, and I found myself struggling to keep up. Just when I thought I was going to get stuck, he asked me to describe my learning experiences with C++. I launched into a story about my school days, trying to make light of the situation.
Challenge 3: Algorithmic Thinking
The male interviewer then presented me with a classic algorithmic challenge: reversing all the letters in a string while maintaining a minimum space complexity. I took a deep breath and began to explain my approach, using a simple swap function to achieve the desired result. However, he asked me to justify my use of the swap function, and I found myself becoming entangled in a discussion about the most efficient way to solve the problem.
The Helicopter Rescue Question
The male interviewer then presented me with a thought-provoking question: a helicopter is trying to rescue a person who is not moving, but the radar can only detect the distance between the helicopter and the person. The question was simple yet challenging, and I found myself struggling to come up with a solution. The interviewer walked me through the problem step by step, explaining the mathematical concepts involved. I felt like I was being tested, but I was determined to find a solution.
The Interview Comes to a Close
As the interview drew to a close, the male interviewer asked me about my experience with Java. I replied that I had some knowledge of the language, but he pressed me for more details. I felt a bit embarrassed, but he reassured me that it was okay to not know everything. The little sister then joined in, asking me about my background and what I knew about the company. I tried to make a good impression, but I could sense that I was still being evaluated.
The Final Question
As I was leaving the interview room, the male interviewer asked me if I had any questions for him. I replied that I did, and he smiled, saying that he was happy to answer any questions I had. I asked him about the company’s direction and what they were looking for in a candidate. He explained that they were looking for people with potential, and that they wanted to see how I would approach problems. I felt a sense of relief, knowing that I had done my best.
The HR Interview
As I walked out of the interview room, I was greeted by the HR representative, a beautiful young woman. She asked me about my school, my family, and my interests. I tried to make a good impression, but I could sense that she was looking for more than just surface-level answers. She asked me about my salary expectations, and I replied that I was open to negotiation. She smiled, saying that she would be in touch soon.
The Final Goodbye
As I left the building, I was surprised to be greeted by the little sister, who bid me farewell with a smile. I felt a sense of relief, knowing that the interview was over. I couldn’t help but think that I had done my best, and that I would have to wait and see what the future held.