Zoho Placement Process

Zoho is known for its rigorous yet rewarding placement process, offering aspiring software engineers an excellent opportunity to join one of the most dynamic tech companies in the industry. Zoho values technical skills, problem-solving capabilities, and logical thinking. Their placement process for 2024-25 remains similar in structure to previous years but has evolved to reflect modern hiring needs and technological advancements.

Zoho eligibility criteria

There are no strict eligibility criteria regarding GPA or the number of academic arrears. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to participate in their campus placement process, promoting opportunities for individuals who may have faced academic challenges but possess strong technical skills. Typically, Zoho’s recruitment is open to students from various streams such as Computer Science, Information Technology, and related fields, but other engineering disciplines with coding knowledge are also welcomed. The recruitment drive generally encompasses both full-time placements and internship opportunities.

Updated Hiring Process for 2024 – 2025

Zoho’s recruitment process for 2024 – 2025 consists of four key stages: 2 written rounds followed by 2 face-to-face technical interviews. The process aims to thoroughly assess a candidate’s technical and problem-solving skills through a combination of aptitude, programming, and technical questions.

Stage 1: Company Presentation

Before the written tests, Zoho starts the process with a brief presentation about the company, outlining its culture, products, and future goals. This session is not just informative but also provides candidates with the opportunity to engage directly with the company representatives. You are encouraged to ask relevant questions, as active participation helps make a good impression on HR and the technical panel. Questions can range from Zoho’s future technical innovations to team culture, which shows curiosity and initiative.

Stage 2: First Written Round – Aptitude and Technical (2 hours)

The first written round is divided into two parts: aptitude and technical questions. These are designed to evaluate your logical thinking and basic technical knowledge.

Part 1: Aptitude (1.5 hours)

The aptitude section consists of 25 questions covering topics such as:

1. Quantitative Aptitude: Topics like percentages, profit and loss, probability, time and work, and simple interest.
2. Logical Reasoning: This includes puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms, and data interpretation.
3. Verbal Ability: Candidates are tested on comprehension, basic grammar, and vocabulary.

The Zoho placement process difficulty is moderate, and candidates with basic preparation in aptitude will find this section manageable.

Sample Questions (Aptitude):

Q: If the sum of two numbers is 55 and their difference is 13, what is the larger number?
A: 34 (Solution: Use simultaneous equations).

Q: A train 125 meters long passes a telegraph pole in 10 seconds. What is the speed of the train in km/h?
A: 45 km/h (Solution: Speed = Distance/Time and then convert m/s to km/h).

Q: In a class of 40 students, 10 play football, and 15 play cricket. If 5 students play both games, how many students play either football or cricket?
A: 20 (Solution: Use the principle of inclusion-exclusion).

Part 2: Technical (1 hour)

The technical section consists of 10 questions covering basic programming concepts, focusing primarily on C/C++ and SQL queries. The questions are mostly objective, but one or two may require brief answers or code outputs.

Sample Questions (Technical):

Q: What is the output of the following C code snippet?

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
  int x = 5, y = 10;
  printf("%d", x++ + ++y);
}

A: 16 (Explanation: Post-increment and pre-increment operations).

Q: Write a SQL query to retrieve all records from a table “Employees” where the salary is greater than 50000.
A:

SELECT * FROM Employees WHERE salary > 50000;

Stage 3: Second Written Round – Advanced Programming (75 minutes)

The second written round focuses on advanced problem-solving and coding skills. You will be given 5 programming questions, and you can write your solutions in C, C++, or Java. The emphasis is on logic rather than syntax. However, ensuring your code is syntactically correct is still crucial. Proper commenting and clear code structure are essential since examiners need to understand the logic behind your solution.

This round tests your ability to break down problems and design efficient algorithms. The difficulty is medium, but the time constraint can make it challenging. It’s essential to approach each problem with a clear strategy.

Sample Programming Questions:

Q: Write a program to find the factorial of a number using recursion.
A:

int factorial(int n) {
  if(n == 0 || n == 1) {
    return 1;
  } else {
    return n * factorial(n - 1);
  }
}

Q: Write a program to check if a string is a palindrome.
A:

bool isPalindrome(string s) {
  int n = s.length();
  for(int i = 0; i < n/2; i++) {
    if(s[i] != s[n-i-1]) return false;
  }
  return true;
}

After completing the second written round, Zoho shortlists candidates based on their performance in both written tests. The shortlisted candidates then proceed to the interview rounds.

Stage 4: Technical Interviews (Face-to-Face)

The final stage consists of two technical interviews. These interviews test not only your technical skills but also your problem-solving approach and your understanding of core concepts.

Interview 1: Technical Discussion

In the first interview, you will likely be asked questions based on your performance in the coding rounds. The interviewers will dig deep into your understanding of the problems you solved, ask you to optimize your solutions, or present alternative approaches. Be prepared to explain your logic and demonstrate your problem-solving skills through live coding on a whiteboard or system.

Some common areas explored include:

• Data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, and graphs)
• Algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming)
• OOP concepts (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism)
• SQL queries and database design

Interview 2: Advanced Technical Discussion

The second technical interview goes into greater depth, testing your knowledge of system design, more advanced algorithms, and your ability to work with complex codebases. For example, the interviewers may present a scenario and ask you to design a system or solve a real-world problem using software architecture principles.

In both interviews, your communication skills and logical thinking are key. Zoho values candidates who can explain technical concepts clearly and who demonstrate enthusiasm for solving problems.

Final Offer

Based on your performance in both the written rounds and the interviews, Zoho typically offers two salary packages for freshers:

• 4.5 LPA for entry-level positions
• 6.5 LPA for higher-performing candidates or those with stronger technical abilities

Zoho is an excellent company for a fresher to kick-start their career, providing ample learning opportunities, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and a collaborative work environment.

Notes for Zoho placement process:

• Focus on strengthening your basics in data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving.
• Practice aptitude regularly to ensure speed and accuracy.
• Be active during the company presentation and showcase curiosity through thoughtful questions.
• In coding rounds, prioritize logic and legibility over writing complex code.
• Stay calm and confident during interviews, and explain your thought process clearly.

Zoho’s placement process may seem exhaustive, but it is designed to filter candidates with strong problem-solving capabilities and a keen interest in technology. With the right preparation, you can navigate the process successfully and secure a role with one of the leading tech companies in India.

Zoho HR Interview Questions with Answers