I received a call from ServiceNow for an interview.

It was conducted via Zoom and HackerRank.

I was given three questions:

• Two Data Structures and Algorithms (DS Algo)
• One Explanatory question

According to the calendar time event set by HR, the interview was scheduled for three hours. This duration was likely because the interviewer explored different approaches alongside the core interview process.

After concluding the first solution approach, I was asked to write the code for it. Once I finished, I learned that the coding test timing was one hour, and only thirty minutes remained. I was surprised because I could have completed the question within a maximum of ten to fifteen minutes, passing all test cases. The extra time was spent explaining different approaches to the interviewer.

The same pattern occurred with the second question. I explained the approach and began coding, but after about five minutes, the interviewer stated it was fine if I knew the approach and suggested we discuss the third question instead.

Later, I learned I was rejected.

I am unsure about the parameters that were considered.

My advice to them would be: If you are evaluating based on total correct submissions within one hour, the interviewer should not interfere. This can disrupt a programmer's thinking process, in my opinion. Allow candidates to complete their submissions first, and then discuss more efficient approaches. Alternatively, you could offer some flexibility in timing, or clearly communicate the time constraints at the beginning of the interview.

PS: I have not yet received my interview feedback, otherwise, I would have inquired about the specific parameters and shared these suggestions with them directly.

A typical Longest Palindromic Substring.