Most Asked PayPal Interview Questions and Answers – For Freshers and Experienced

Founded in 1998, PayPal started gaining popularity in 2000, as it launched its electronic payments system. PayPal remains one of the biggest and most reputed organisations operating internationally, valued at USD 82.62 billion. Hence, it is no surprise that PayPal attracts scores of freshers and experienced candidates for its excellent employee retention rate. 

Frequently Asked PayPal Interview Questions

PayPal is one of the most esteemed organisations to work at for freshers and experienced candidates alike. However, depending on an individual’s professional history, PayPal coding questions will likely vary to assess their capacity accurately. Listed below are some of the most asked questions in a PayPal interview:

1. How are duplicate nodes removed in an unsorted linked list?
2. What is slicing in Python, and what are its benefits?
3. What role does the Lambda function play in Python?
4. What are the key differences between lists and tuples?
5. What are modules, libraries, and data packages in Python programming?

Algorithm and data structure questions are popularly asked in the Python interview experience. They can help you showcase your technical knowledge and application as a potential PayPal employee. 

PayPal’s thorough interview rounds assess its potential employees in every possible way. If you aspire to work at PayPal, preparing for the common PayPal hacker rank questions and answers should be the most crucial part of your journey. In addition, look out for supplementary courses like the Advanced Certificate in Supply Chain Management from IMT Ghaziabad to have your candidature stand out.

PayPal Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Freshers may expect interview questions bordering on the preliminary concepts to test their understanding of algorithms and data structures, as well as systems design, such as:

1. How are duplicate nodes removed in an unsorted linked list?

Linked lists are characteristically designed for storing unique values, but duplicate nodes can still appear in linked lists. Duplicate nodes in unsorted linked lists can be effectively removed through several approaches. The merge sort is possibly the most efficient approach as it places all duplicate nodes adjacent to the linked list, from where they can be easily removed.

2. What is slicing in Python, and what are its benefits?

Slicing in Python is a technique that involves extracting a part of a list, string or tuple. In Python, programmers can access a particular part of a string using the slice function by specifying a range between the starting and the ending indices. Programmers popularly use slicing as it allows them to extract and access a specific section of the elements in the string and return it to the string as new data without modifying it.

3. What role does the Lambda function play in Python?

Lambda functions in Python are generally regarded as user-defined and anonymous functions without a specified name. ‘Lambda’ is a keyword when defining an anonymous function in Python and is most commonly used to create efficient functions containing simple expressions. Lambda functions are anonymous and therefore do not have a return keyword. Rather, they return the result automatically as soon as the expression of the function has been executed.

4. What are the key differences between lists and tuples? 

In Python programming, lists and tuples indicate Python data structures. Tuples and lists are ordered data structures that can store data, such as string, float, and dictionary. 

The primary difference between lists and tuples is that the list is a dynamic data collection and is mutable, while the tuple is a static data collection that does not allow any modification. Since the objects in a tuple are immutable, a tuple is considerably faster than a list.  

5. What is Node.js?

Node.js is a framework that allows users to create scalable and fast network applications based on JavaScript’s runtime. 

Most Asked PayPal Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced

Experienced candidates will face more challenging interview questions. Besides the fundamental concepts of algorithms and data structures, expect questions based on real-time examples testing your proficiency as a professional. Here are some of the most asked PayPal interview questions for experienced hires. 

1. What are the differences between Composition, Aggregation and Association as used in Java?

In Java, Composition refers to a ‘belong-to’ relationship where one object can logically relate to another. A Composition is a strong relationship where the objects are tightly coupled, and one containing object can serve as the owner of the other object present, and deleting the parent object can result in the child object getting deleted as well. A Composition is also understood as a ‘has-a’ relationship in Java.

Like Composition, Aggregation is also a ‘has-a’ relationship, although the objects in Aggregation are not as strongly coupled. As no owning is involved in Aggregation, the objects can exist independently, and the deletion of the parent object does not result in the child object getting deleted.

Association is the weakest relationship and cannot be categorised as a ‘has-a’ relationship. In Association, the objects are not coupled, so they are completely independent without having to exist as a part of one another. 

2. How are debugger keywords used in JavaScript?

In JavaScript, the debugger keyword is used to place a breakpoint in the code to stop the program from performing all executions from the point where it is placed. Placing a debugger keyword allows programmers to carry out the executions manually. 

3. What are modules and data packages in Python programming?

In Python programming, a module is a Python file containing all functions and global variables. As executable files with a .py extension, all Python modules can be organised under data packages in Python. Datetime, Random, and Regex are commonly used Python modules. 

Data packages, packages as they are commonly known, serve as simple directories containing all Python modules. Python data packages containing a collection of modules are usually files with the __init__.py extension and can also contain sub-packages within them. NumPy and Pandas are often used as Python data packages. 

4. What are the features of Hadoop?

Hadoop is used to process and store large datasets and has a freeware framework derived from open-source code. It is compatible with a wide range of hardware, making it easier for users to add new hardware to a node. In addition to storing data in clusters that separate them from the rest of the operation, Hadoop allows quicker data processing. Hadoop users can create three clones of each block with distinct nodes.  

5. What is an event loop?

An event loop is fundamental to asynchronous programming in JavaScript as it uses data structures to give the appearance of multi-threading to a single thread while executing all operations. The event loop is responsible for maintaining the right sequence in which the operations should be sent for execution and transmitting new functions to the track for processing.

PayPal Interview Process

The recruitment process at PayPal is much like other notable MNCs. They conduct placement drives for freshers on campus and for experienced candidates through online job listings. The recruitment process includes the following steps:

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science or Engineering or relevant experience can apply.

CV Submission: If applying online, submit a CV with a suitable cover letter expressing your ambitions and passion for working at PayPal.

Interview Process: It usually consists of the following rounds —

• Online Test
• Technical Interview Round 1
• Technical Interview Round 2
• Managerial Round

Register for the Professional Certificate in Global Business Management from GGU and rank higher among prospective candidates to clinch a position in PayPal.

PayPal Interview Rounds

The interview rounds in PayPal can often vary based on conditions such as the urgency and complexity of the role. Mentioned below are the expected PayPal interview rounds:

1. Online Test:

The online test is the primary screening test a candidate wishing to work at PayPal must take. In the online test round, candidates will face two questions with 14 test cases each. 

2. Technical Interview Round 1:

Following the online test round, shortlisted candidates must appear for the first round of technical interviews arranged by PayPal. This interview round tests the candidates’ technical knowledge, expecting them to answer code questions. The first round of technical interviews is usually held for an hour.

3. Technical Interview Round 2:

Candidates who have qualified for the first round of technical interviews must appear for the second round, which assesses them based on their resume and technical experience. Like the first round of technical interview, the second round lasts for an hour, and other than questions based on their resume, candidates can expect technical questions, such as algorithms, or identify the subset with the sum equal to a specified sum from a given set of non-negative integers and a value sum.

4. Managerial Round:

Having secured the second round of technical interviews, candidates must appear for the final managerial round before being employed at PayPal. The final managerial round can last 45 minutes, where the candidate must answer technical and behavioural questions. If you are qualified for the managerial round, you can be expected to address problems from real-time examples that assess your OOPs (Object-Oriented Programming System) knowledge. The managerial round may also include questions based on your resume, such as queries on any prior work experience or internships.

Discover upGrad’s free courses in Management, Data Science, Machine Learning, Digital Marketing, and Technology. Access premium learning, live lectures, industry assignments, and a free certificate upon completion!

Tips To Prepare for PayPal Interview Questions

Preparing for an interview can be intimidating. However, if you appear confident and promising in your words and actions, cracking a PayPal interview should not be hard. Here are a few pointers to help you prepare for PayPal interview questions.

• Looking up information about PayPal can be extremely helpful before appearing for an interview. Information such as the software PayPal uses or how PayPal works can help you use the information to your benefit and ace your interview.
• Find out about common questions you might be asked beforehand and prepare accordingly. Practising mock interviews with peers can also prove beneficial. 
• Learn more about the PayPal interview experience from those already working at PayPal to strengthen your responses accordingly.
• Prepare the right questions you want to ask to establish your genuine interest in the position and help you secure the interview.

Conclusion

You can use the PayPal interview process to display your competency as a Software Development Engineer. Being confident and true in your responses at the PayPal interview is vital, and having a thorough understanding of coding and software development can help you to stand out as a potential hire easily. 

If you aspire to work at PayPal, why not supplement your technical knowledge with the Master of Science in Business Analytics from GGU offered by upGrad? This course helps working professionals develop analytical skills to benefit in a competitive market.