Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Kotak, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After I got shortlisted, my first interaction felt very structured: an external vendor ran a 1.5-hour bar-raiser style round. It covered the usual spread of DSA plus low-level and high-level design, so I didn’t just solve coding-style problems—I had to think through design topics as well.
The most distinctive part of my Kotak SDE-1 journey was Round 3, which ended up being a low-level design focused discussion. Even before the interview, the recruiter had framed it as LLD, but I was also bracing for the possibility of DSA showing up alongside it. When I sat down for Round 3, it mostly felt like I was being evaluated on how I break down requirements into a workable service design.
Interviews typically last around 1.5 hours and are divided into three main sections: DSA, low-level design (LLD), and sometimes high-level design (HLD). Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced format that requires switching between different types of questions and thinking modes.
The DSA portion often includes straightforward problems, such as array manipulations or tree-based questions, with an emphasis on clear reasoning and problem-solving strategies. Candidates should practice common algorithms and be ready to explain their thought processes.
LLD discussions are a significant part of the interview, where candidates are evaluated on their ability to translate requirements into structured designs, including defining entities and API interactions. It's crucial to focus on clarity and the rationale behind design choices.
Interviews often begin with a conversation about the candidate's background and relevant experience, which sets the tone for the technical discussions that follow. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their past challenges and how they relate to the role.
Candidates report that the interview process is rigorous, with a clear focus on breadth of knowledge rather than just coding skills. It's important to maintain a balance between technical proficiency and design thinking throughout the interview.
Feedback is often immediate, and candidates may find that the outcome is decided quickly, especially in single-round interviews. It's essential to perform well in the initial round as there may not be opportunities for recovery or additional rounds.