Zoho Interview Experience 2025

Zoho's recruitment process for fresher software developers is a multi-stage assessment focusing on technical skills and problem-solving. It includes five rounds: a written test, programming tasks, a technical interview, and an HR interview.

Candidates face moderate to hard aptitude questions and challenging programming rounds that test deep problem-solving abilities. This rigorous process ensures Zoho selects skilled candidates who align with its commitment to innovation and excellence.

Round 1: Aptitude & Programming Assessment (Offline)

This round assesses candidates' logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and basic programming knowledge. It includes two sections:

Section 1: Programming - C Program

The coding portion of Zoho's first-round interview emphasizes C programming fundamentals, with 10 questions focused on predicting code output. Topics include pointers, arrays, functions, loops, recursion, and logical operations.

A strong grasp of C syntax and the ability to mentally execute code are essential. Practice output prediction and debugging exercises to excel in this round.

Number of Questions: 10

Programming Sample Questions

What is the output of this C code?

    #include <stdio.h>
    void main()
    {
        int a = 45;
        int b = sizeof(a++);
        printf("A is %d", a);
    }

Comment on the output of this C code?

    #include <stdio.h> 
    int main() 
    { 
        int num = 10; 
        switch (num) 
        { 
            case num: 
            printf("Matched num "); 
            default: 
            printf("Default"); 
        } 
    }

What is the output of this C code?

    #include <stdio.h>
    int main()
    {
        printf("%d ", 5);
        goto label1;
        printf("%d ", 6);
    }
    void display()
    {
        label1: printf("7 ");
    }

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Section 2: Aptitude Test

The aptitude section of Zoho's first-round interview includes 10 questions without answer choices, testing quantitative and logical reasoning skills. Topics cover percentages, ratios, profit and loss, speed-time-distance, averages, and work-and-wages.

Questions often require applying mathematical principles to real-world scenarios. To excel, focus on quick mental calculations, efficient strategies, and regular practice with diverse aptitude problems.

Number of Questions: 10
Topics Covered: Thinking-oriented aptitude questions requiring conceptual clarity rather than formula-based solutions.

Aptitude Sample Questions

A card is drawn from a well-shuffled pack of cards. The probability of getting a queen of the club or king of the heart is ?
An Arab buys two horses, paying Rs. 5000 less for one than for the other. He sells the dearer one at 20% gain and the cheaper one at 30% gain. If he gets Rs. 4000 less on the first than on the second, then the cost price of the second horse is
A and B set out to meet each other from two places 165 km apart. A travels 15 km the first day, 14 km the second, 13 km the third and so on. B travels 10 km the first day, 12 km the second, 14 km the third and so on. When will they meet?

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Round 2: Basic Programming Assessment

The second round of Zoho's interview process is a 3-4 hour coding test with 5-7 problems of varying difficulty. It evaluates problem-solving skills, coding abilities, and knowledge of data structures and algorithms. Questions increase in complexity and are typically solved on a local machine or proctored platform.

This level focuses on programming fundamentals.

Topics Covered:
- Basics of OOPs
- Numbers
- Strings
- Data Structures
Number of Questions: 5
Time Duration: 180 minutes

Question Types

Common types of questions in this round include:

Array manipulation (e.g., alternate sorting)
String processing (e.g., removing unbalanced parentheses)
Number system and mathematical problems
Data structure implementation
Algorithm design

Tips for Success

An important aspect of this round is that Zoho representatives will observe candidates as they work on their programs. They will ask candidates to explain the logic behind their solutions, so it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your approach and be able to articulate it effectively.

To succeed in this round, candidates should:

Practice clean coding and write readable, well-structured code
Optimize solutions for better time or space complexity
Be prepared to explain their thought process and approach
Consider and address various input scenarios and edge cases
Manage time effectively across all questions

Example Questions

Rearrange an array so that the first element is the maximum and the second is the minimum, alternating this pattern
Implement a function to remove unbalanced parentheses from a given expression
Design a system to generate numbers using only specific digits (e.g., 3 and 4) and find the nth number in this sequence
Develop an algorithm to check if a given mathematical expression is valid
Implement a solution for the "Buy and sell stock to get maximum profit" problem.

Practice Now

Round 3: Advanced Programming Assessment

The third round in Zoho's interview process for software developer roles is typically referred to as the Advanced Programming Round. This round is designed to test candidates' problem-solving skills, knowledge of data structures and algorithms, and ability to design and implement complex solutions. Here are the key aspects of this round:

Section 1

Topics:
- Quality
- Modularity
- Boundary test cases
- Efficiency
Number of Questions: 1

Section 2

Topics:
- Booking
- Availability checking
- Cancellation
- Prepare chart
Number of Questions: 1

Duration: Usually around 3-4 hours

Format: Candidates are given a complex programming problem or a system design task

Task: Develop an application or solve a challenging algorithmic problem

Environment: Candidates are provided with a laptop or computer to code on

Key Focus Areas:

Data structures and algorithms
System design
Code optimization
Problem-solving approach

Characteristics of the Round

Complexity: The problems are typically more challenging than those in previous rounds.
Single Problem: Often, there is only one main problem to solve, unlike earlier rounds with multiple questions.
Real-world Application: The task often involves building a small application or system with multiple functionalities.
Interaction: Candidates are expected to interact with interviewers, explaining their approach and thought process.

Example Questions

Designing and implementing a cache system (e.g., LFU cache).
Creating an application with specific functionalities like set, get, unset, count, update, etc.
Solving complex algorithmic problems that may involve dynamic programming or advanced data structures.

Tips for Success

Clearly explain your approach before starting to code.
Communicate regularly with the interviewers about your thought process.
Focus on writing clean, efficient, and well-structured code.
Be prepared to optimize your solution if asked.
Handle edge cases and demonstrate thorough testing of your code.

This round is crucial in the selection process, as it allows Zoho to assess a candidate's ability to handle complex programming challenges and design scalable solutions

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Round 4: Technical Interview

The technical interview round at Zoho is a crucial part of their hiring process, designed to assess a candidate's technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. This round involves a detailed discussion of technical concepts, problem-solving abilities, and project experiences. Here are the key aspects of the Zoho technical interview:

Structure and Duration

The technical interview typically lasts about 30-40 minutes
It may be conducted as part of the fourth round in the overall interview process

Focus Areas

Data Structures and Algorithms
Programming languages (C, C++, Java)
Object-Oriented Programming concepts
Database concepts
Operating Systems fundamentals

Question Types

Coding problems
Theoretical questions on CS fundamentals
Puzzles and logical reasoning questions
Questions related to previous projects or internships

Key Topics Covered

Data Structures: Arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs
Algorithms: Sorting, searching, dynamic programming
OOPS Concepts: Inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, abstraction
Database: SQL queries, normalization, indexing
Operating Systems: Process management, memory management, deadlocks

Sample Questions

Explain the difference between static and dynamic memory allocation
What is a deadlock? How can it be prevented?
Implement a function to reverse a linked list
Describe the concept of virtual memory
Write a SQL query to find the second highest salary in a table

Tips for Success

Be prepared to explain your thought process while solving problems
Practice coding on a whiteboard or paper, as you may not always have access to a computer
Review your past projects and be ready to discuss them in detail
Be familiar with time and space complexity analysis of algorithms
Stay calm and ask for clarifications if you don't understand a question

Remember, the technical interview at Zoho is not just about getting the right answers, but also about demonstrating your problem-solving approach and ability to think critically under pressure.

Practice Now

Last Round: HR Interview

The HR interview is typically the final round in Zoho's recruitment process for software developer roles. This round is generally more informal and conversational compared to the previous technical rounds. The HR interview focuses on assessing interpersonal skills, cultural fit, and alignment with Zoho’s values. Here are the key aspects of the Zoho HR interview:

Structure and Duration

Usually lasts about 30-40 minutes
Conducted after clearing the technical rounds

Focus Areas

Personal background
Career goals and aspirations
Soft skills assessment
Cultural fit evaluation

Sample Questions

Tell me about yourself
Why do you want to join Zoho?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Questions about your family background and hobbies
Your location preferences

Tips for Success

Research Zoho's products, services, and company culture beforehand
Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, both professional and personal
Dress appropriately - business casual attire is typically acceptable
Maintain a positive and confident attitude throughout the interview
Ask thoughtful questions about the company and the role

Key Points to Remember

This round is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company and the role
Be honest and authentic in your responses
Highlight your communication skills and ability to work in a team
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and the company

Remember, if you've reached this stage, it's a good sign that you've performed well in the previous rounds. The HR interview is your chance to showcase your personality and how well you'd fit into Zoho's work culture.

Candidate Insights on the Zoho Recruitment Process

Aptitude Questions: Aptitude questions are moderate to hard, with no answer choices. The focus is on logical thinking rather than simple formula application.
Programming Rounds: Both MCQs and coding questions emphasize deep problem-solving skills.
Overall Difficulty: The Zoho recruitment process is thorough and challenging, ensuring that only highly skilled candidates proceed.