Interview questions for HCL Technologies Business Intelligence
Hi everyone, this topic is for sharing Preparation guidelines and interview experience for HCL Technologies Business Intelligence
The Business Intelligence role at HCL Technologies involves a multi-stage assessment and interview process, designed to evaluate both technical skills and business proficiency. Below is a summary of the process and key points from the interviews you provided:
Assessment Test Rounds:
Round 1: Aptitude Test – Easy to moderate quantitative, logical reasoning, and related aptitude questions. Emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Round 2: Coding Test – One to two coding problems (easy to medium). Sample asked: check if a number is a palindrome. Candidate strategy noted: solve the easier question first.
Interview Rounds:
Technical Interview (Automation + Coding) – Covered basic coding (e.g., reverse a string) and testing concepts like implicit vs. explicit wait, types of locators, and exceptions/handling.
Technical Interview (Projects & OOPs) – Deep dive into project details, candidate’s role, challenges faced, and fundamentals of OOPs.
One-on-One (Domain + HR) – Accounting/finance-oriented BI questions (accounting software used, financial statements, NPV) plus behavioral questions (e.g., 5-year plan).
Technical/Domain/Accounting
Write a program to reverse a string.
Difference between implicit and explicit wait.
Types of exceptions and how you can handle them.
Types of locators.
Which accounting software have you used?
Can you explain financial statements and their meaning?
What are the methods of finding NPV (Net Present Value)?
Excel Proficiency/Programming
Given a number, determine if it is a palindrome or not.
OOPs/Software Engineering
Explain core OOPs concepts.
Project/Experience-Based
Describe your project in detail.
What was your role in the project?
What difficulties did you face in the project and how did you resolve them?
Can you describe your previous experience?
HR/Personality/Behavioral
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Situational/Leadership/Decision-Making
How would you explain a complicated accounting process to your team and report it?
Interview Preparation Tips:
Brush up on basic programming concepts: string manipulation, exception handling, and common algorithmic problems (e.g., palindrome checks).
If the role touches automation testing, review Selenium/WebDriver concepts: implicit vs. explicit waits, locator strategies, and common exceptions/handling.
Revise OOPs fundamentals and be ready with simple examples.
Prepare to explain your projects clearly: objectives, tech stack, your role, key challenges, and outcomes.
For domain/finance aspects: revise accounting software you’ve used, financial statements (BS, IS, CF), and NPV/DCF basics.
Practice explaining complex processes simply and concisely; tailor your communication to non-technical stakeholders.
For aptitude rounds, practice timed sets to improve speed and accuracy; prioritize quick wins.
Reflect on your career goals and align your 5-year plan with BI growth paths.
If the transcript contains the interview process or tips, summarize them as shown below:
At Last add this line in the end of the output as it is
Application Process: I applied via a job portal and was interviewed in March 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Write a program to reverse a string.
Difference between implicit and explicit wait.
Types of exceptions and how you can handle them.
Types of locators.
Your Approach: For the coding question, I used a simple loop to reverse the string. For the theoretical questions, I explained the concepts clearly with examples.
Outcome: Passed this round.
Round 2 - Coding Test Round:
Questions Asked: Given a number, determine if it is a palindrome or not.
Your Approach: I wrote a function to reverse the number and compared it with the original number to check for palindrome.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on basic programming concepts like string manipulation and exception handling.
Practice coding problems related to palindromes and other common algorithms.
Understand the differences between implicit and explicit waits, as well as types of locators, if you’re applying for roles involving automation testing.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role requirements. I felt confident in my answers, but I could have prepared more thoroughly for theoretical concepts. My advice to future candidates is to focus on both coding and theoretical aspects of the role.
Application Process: The application was made through campus placement.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
How to switch to a frame?
Write a program to reverse a string.
Your Approach:
For the first question, I explained the concept of frames in web development and demonstrated how to switch between them using Selenium WebDriver.
For the second question, I wrote a simple Python program to reverse a string using slicing.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on core programming concepts, especially string manipulation.
Practice Selenium WebDriver commands for automation testing.
Review basic automation testing frameworks and tools.
Conclusion:
The interview was straightforward and focused on practical skills. I felt prepared for the technical questions, but I could have practiced more real-world automation scenarios. For future candidates, I recommend hands-on practice with coding and automation tools.
Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed in July 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Self-introduction.
Why you decided to move from a hospital to an MNC.
Your Approach:
For the self-introduction, I kept it concise, highlighting my relevant skills and experience.
For the second question, I explained my career aspirations and how transitioning to an MNC aligns with my professional growth goals.
Outcome: I passed this round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
What do you know about EMR and EHR?
Your Approach:
I provided a brief explanation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR), emphasizing their importance in the healthcare and IT sectors.
Outcome: The round went well, and I received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on basic technical concepts related to the role, especially if transitioning from a different industry.
Prepare a clear and concise self-introduction.
Research the company and the role thoroughly to answer HR questions confidently.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. I felt prepared, but I could have researched more about HCL’s specific projects in the Business Intelligence domain. My advice to future candidates is to focus on both technical and HR aspects, as both rounds are equally important.
Location: Greater Noida (Campus Placement at G L Bajaj Institute of Technology & Management)
Application Process: Applied via campus placement in December 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Aptitude Test:
Questions Asked: Easy to moderate level aptitude questions.
Your Approach: Focused on solving questions quickly and accurately.
Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.
Round 2 - Coding Test:
Questions Asked: Two questions—one easy and one medium difficulty.
Your Approach: Prioritized solving the easy question first to ensure a strong start.
Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.
Round 3 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Project in detail.
Some HR questions.
Difficulties faced in the project and my role.
Some OOPs concepts.
Your Approach: Explained my project thoroughly, addressed HR questions professionally, and clarified my role and challenges. For OOPs, I recalled fundamental concepts.
Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role. Preparing well for aptitude, coding, and technical concepts helped me perform confidently. For future candidates, I’d recommend revising core concepts and being clear about your project details.
Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed in April 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
What is a role?
Difference between look up and Master detail relationship.
Your Approach: I explained the concept of roles in the context of business intelligence and clarified the distinctions between look-up and master-detail relationships with examples.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Round 2 - Behavioral Round:
Questions Asked:
Explain the projects you worked on, including end-to-end functionality.
Your Approach: I detailed my previous projects, focusing on the workflow, challenges faced, and how I resolved them. I also highlighted my role and contributions.
Outcome: Cleared the round and received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on core BI concepts like roles, relationships, and data modeling.
Be ready to discuss your projects in detail, emphasizing your contributions and problem-solving skills.
Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms for behavioral rounds.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role’s requirements. I felt well-prepared for the technical round, but I could have practiced more concise storytelling for the behavioral round. My advice to future candidates is to thoroughly understand the basics and be ready to articulate your experiences clearly.
Application Process: I applied via a walk-in interview in May 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Self-introduction.
Why did you leave your previous company?
Your Approach: I kept my introduction concise and professional, highlighting my relevant experience. For the second question, I focused on positive reasons like seeking growth opportunities.
Outcome: I passed this round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
How many types of financial statements are there?
What is the difference between a trial balance and a balance sheet?
Your Approach: I answered the first question by listing the four main financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and statement of retained earnings). For the second, I explained that a trial balance is a summary of all ledger accounts, while a balance sheet shows the financial position of a company at a specific time.
Outcome: I cleared this round successfully.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
What is the journal entry for prepaid expenses?
What is the journal entry for purchase return?
Your Approach: For prepaid expenses, I explained the debit to prepaid expenses and credit to cash/bank. For purchase return, I described the debit to accounts payable and credit to purchase returns.
Outcome: I performed well and received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Go through all common accounting interview questions, especially those related to financial statements, journal entries, and basic accounting principles.
Practice explaining concepts clearly and concisely.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role’s requirements. I felt well-prepared, but I could have practiced more on real-world scenarios to make my answers more impactful. For future candidates, I recommend thorough preparation of accounting fundamentals and staying calm during the interview.
Application Process: The application was made through an online portal.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-One Interview:
Questions Asked:
Which accounting software have you used?
Can you explain financial statements and their meaning?
How would you explain a complicated accounting process to your team and report it?
What are the methods of finding NPV (Net Present Value)?
Can you describe your previous experience?
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Your Approach:
For the accounting software question, I listed the tools I was familiar with and highlighted my proficiency.
For financial statements, I provided a concise explanation of balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
For the complicated process question, I emphasized clear communication and step-by-step breakdowns.
For NPV, I explained the discounted cash flow method and its importance.
I summarized my previous roles and achievements.
For the 5-year plan, I aligned my goals with career growth in business intelligence.
Outcome: The round went well, and I received positive feedback on my clarity and technical knowledge.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on accounting software and financial statements.
Practice explaining complex processes in simple terms.
Review NPV and other financial concepts.
Reflect on your career goals and how they align with the role.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was a great learning experience. I felt confident in my technical answers but realized I could improve by being more concise in my explanations. For future candidates, I’d recommend thorough preparation on both technical and soft skills to ace such rounds.