I applied online. I interviewed at Thoughtworks (Pune) in Sept 2020
Interview
Unrealistic. Impractical. I applied for an Application Developer(Full Stack) role in India.
The interview process consists for 4-5 rounds.
About me : 7+ Years of Fullstack Java Development (From scratch Development Projects only)
TW = ThoughtWorks
1) Pre-Interview - [Complexity : Very simple]
This will be some small program they give just to check your basic programming logic (HackerEarth kind of test link). You need to submit your answers to a REST API exposed by TW.
2) Code Refactoring - [Complexity : Average]
They check your Junit/UnitTesting skills and see how you refactor code. The important point here is that one should write Junit/Test Cases properly before refactoring the code. The test cases serve as a checkpoint to ensure that your code even though after being modified/enhanced still yeilds the correct results.
Also they market one of their own legendary progammers book Martin Fowler, this though is very good read I must say.
3) Technical Depth - [Complexity : Hard]
This is a round where they check how much you know about your "CORE" skill. Mine is Java. I had no problems here. I've mastered the language over the years, worked on serveral Java frameworks. If your core is strong you'll clear it.
No code solving here, just they check your approach of solving questions. Eg. If I were to design a Content Delivery Network (CDN) on my own what would my design be, what data structure I would use etc. and a lot of cross questioning happens to check why you chose something in your design.
4) Technical Breadth - [Complexity : Hard]
This is the worst round. And the most impractical one. They check what other languages one knows apart from his core skill.
I knew none other than Java(my core skill).
So they asked me to take a break and learn a new language like GoLang or Python and also explore some NoSQL databases. I had experience in Java, Frontend and RDBMS(SQL databases).
I took it to heart and self learned GoLang(backend language like Java) and Apache Cassandra(NoSQL Database).
After 3 months I gave this round again and was REJECTED.
Reason given was I'm quoting the HR reason
"As a feedback, we feel that your understanding on Cassandra and Golang could be improved"
So basically they rejected me for something that was NOT my core skill. I had three months time to study, it wasn't really three months it was every weekend in these three months as I am working as a Lead in my current organization, I had responsibility to deliver client work.
I took serveral leaves in between just to study for this.
Whatever was physically and mentally possible I did with whatever time I had, and tried to learn as much as possible but they expected me to have knowledge i.e. at an expert level which is unrealistic.
Also during all this time I was under immense depression and anxiety due to all this.
That is why I say Unrealistic and Impractical Interviews.
If they ask you to study and come back after three months, I would personally not recommend going back to them, because as much as I have observered such Candidates are almost always rejected.
If all the interview rounds happens in one flow without them stalling you for 3 months then go for it or else don't go through so much pain.
PS.
I have tried to write just the facts without being emotional so that you may judge for yourselves what should be done.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Mainly system design related questions are asked. The approach to solve the problem is checked and questioned. More of a discussion rather than an interview.
Went well overall four rounds starting with Hacker rank test, Code pairing, Technical and Cultural alignment interview. Majorly focused on Oops and DSA. Java and Python are added plus, overall good experience with good interviewers
I applied through university. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Thoughtworks (Hyderābād) in Feb 2025
Interview
The interview process for an Application Developer is designed to assess a candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and overall suitability for the role. It typically consists of multiple stages, ranging from an initial screening to technical evaluations and behavioral interviews.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Can you describe a challenging project you worked on and how you solved the problems that arose?
I applied through university. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Thoughtworks in Nov 2024
Interview
It was on campus.
1st round: coding assessment(4 questions)
2nd round: code pairing
3rd round: tr
4th round: cultural and leadership round
5 got selected from our college. i was one of them.
The offers are given batches wise. if you are in a last batch like me. you will suffer a lot of waiting.