Infosys coding rounds are generally more rigorous, aligning closer to product-based companies. Expect 2-3 medium to hard LeetCode-style problems focusing on Data Structures (Trees, Graphs, DP) and Object-Oriented Design. Unlike some service-based peers, Infosys places significant weight on clean, modular code and explaining your thought process verbally during the coding assessment.
Aim for a structured 2-3 month plan. Dedicate 1.5-2 hours daily to DSA (solve 150-200 problems, with 70% medium difficulty), and parallelly prepare for the 'Handshake' test (logical reasoning, verbal) and behavioral questions using the STAR method. Revise core CS fundamentals (OS, DBMS, OOPs) consistently in the final month.
Master Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists, Trees (Binary, BST), and Graphs (BFS/DFS). Dynamic Programming and Recursion are high-frequency. Also, be proficient in HashMaps/Sets for optimization. Practice implementing these from scratch and analyzing time/space complexity (Big O) for every solution, as this is explicitly evaluated.
The biggest mistake is jumping into coding without clarifying requirements and edge cases. Always ask questions about input constraints, expected output format, and potential null/empty inputs. Another frequent error is neglecting the 'Handshake' aptitude test, which is a critical early filter for SDE roles.
Compensate by showcasing exceptional problem-solving clarity and a strong portfolio of projects (GitHub). Highlight transferable skills like analytical thinking. In behavioral rounds, use specific examples from academics, competitions, or volunteer work to demonstrate Infosys's leadership principles like 'Lead by Example' and 'Customer Delight'. A clear career narrative is key.
The process is often lengthy. After applying (usually via campus placement or careers page), expect the online Handshake test within 1-2 weeks. If cleared, technical interviews follow in 2-4 weeks. The final HR/manager interview can take another 2-3 weeks. The entire cycle from test to offer letter commonly spans 1.5 to 3 months, so patience is required.
SDE-1 focuses on core coding, implementation, and learning. SDE-2 expects design capability (low-level, some system design), mentoring juniors, and project ownership. SDE-3 requires strong system design, architecture, client interaction, and technical leadership. Preparation must scale: SDE-1: DSA-heavy; SDE-2: DSA + Design; SDE-3: System Design + Strategic Thinking.
Prioritize LeetCode (filter by company tags for Infosys) and GeeksforGeeks company-specific articles. For the 'Handshake' test, practice with past Infosys aptitude papers. Use platforms like InterviewBit or Grokking the System Design Interview for design rounds. Critically, study Infosys's 9 Leadership Principles and prepare 8-10 behavioral stories (STAR format) that map to them.
