Breaking into Tech at Salesforce India as University Grads

Starting a career in tech at a multinational software company can be a dream for many tech graduates. We sat down with two of our Software Engineering grads from Salesforce India to share some straightforward tips and tricks on how they landed their jobs. Whether tackling tough interviews, leveling up tech skills, or just curious about tech companies, we've got practical tips for you to break into the tech industry. 

Tell us about yourself.

Viyas, Software Engineering AMTS: I am working as a Performance Engineer in Commerce Cloud at Salesforce. I have done my B.Tech in Mathematics And Computing from IIT Hyderabad. As the degree name suggests, my major included Math courses, such as Theoretical Maths, Applied Maths, as well Computing courses. And some extent of dev and AI/ML here and there during the four years, either as part of course work or personal projects.

Mohit Bhar, Software Engineering AMTS: I am currently working as an AMTS at Salesforce. I graduated with a B.Tech in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from IIIT-Delhi in May 2023.

What did the hiring process look like?

It was an on-campus opportunity. We applied through the job portal, submitting resumes and academic details. The process involved four rounds. The first was an online assessment: a coding round featuring three coding questions to be solved in around 90 minutes, with a moderate level of difficulty. Following this were two technical interview rounds emphasizing problem-solving and domain knowledge, including discussions on coding questions, computer fundamentals, and projects. The final round combined technical and behavioral aspects, delving into a detailed discussion on the projects and coursework.

However, the hiring process has been recently revised to include only 3 rounds. 

How did you prepare for the interview and what concepts did you focus on?

DSA (implementation and understanding), Object Oriented Programming, Operating Systems, are top CS concepts to focus on. Dev, in general, is a must to have in your arsenal if applying for a software engineering role. For the interview, I revised the topics above and also the projects which I had mentioned in my resume. My friends and some of the seniors helped me in practising the mock interviews. I also worked on a good introduction, read the job description, and of course studied the topics.

To prepare for the interview, I concentrated on fundamental concepts crucial for the role, like data structures, algorithm design and analysis, database management systems, operating systems, and object-oriented programming. I dedicated time to refining problem-solving skills, particularly in areas related to data structures and designing algorithms. I also reviewed my projects and familiarised myself with the company, its products and services.

What resources came in handy while preparing for the interview process?

Platforms like LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks offer extensive practice problems and interview experiences that helped me improve my coding skills and problem-solving abilities. They were also great for strengthening my understanding of data structures. I revisited my college course notes to brush up on computer fundamentals such as operating systems, computer networks, analysis and design of algorithms, OOPs, and DBMS, building on the foundational knowledge I gained earlier. For last-minute revisions, GeeksforGeeks notes proved to be an excellent resource.

What advice would you offer to students preparing for this interview?

The interviewer wants to understand the knowledge, understanding, and problem solving skills a candidate has. So our job is to make sure we demonstrate that. Start with a solid introduction that describes yourself, your academic background, and your interest. Listen carefully to the question proposed by the interviewer. Don’t jump to the answer, it is not Kaun Banega Crorepati. It is more of a discussion. Make a good rapport with the person in front of you, keep chanting Aaall izz well in your mind :-) Hopefully in the end, you get the job.

''Establishing a solid base in technical skills, driven by a sincere curiosity and a genuine eagerness to learn, has proven invaluable in shaping my interview experiences. Delving into the company's ethos, I took the time to familiarize myself with its products and services. I believe it all comes down to maintaining consistency, staying dedicated to continuous learning, and putting in the hard work when needed. For growth, it's always good to be constantly in the state of evolution. For interviews, a tip I would share is to be honest with the interviewer and never hesitate to seek help when needed.''

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