Top Cognizant Interview Questions

Cognizant is a multinational technology company that specialises in providing IT services and consulting solutions. Founded in 1994, Cognizant has grown to be one of the largest IT services companies in the world.

Cognizant offers a wide range of services including IT consulting, application development, system integration, infrastructure services, business process outsourcing (BPO), digital solutions, security, sustainability services, and more.

Cognizant has been actively involved in helping organizations navigate digital transformation by leveraging emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, Intelligent process automation, cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and analytics.

Cognizant is at the forefront of technological advancement and offers a great learning opportunity and career path for aspiring candidates.

The Cognizant recruitment process typically consists of 5 rounds: 

Step 1: Application

Begin by applying for an open position on Cognizant’s career site. If there isn’t an exact match for your skills, consider joining the Talent Community to receive future updates about relevant roles.

Step 2: Initial Screening

Once a recruiter reviews your application and confirms alignment with the role, they will reach out for an initial screening. This is a brief introductory conversation to discuss your fit for the position. If both you and the recruiter agree that there’s a potential match, your profile will be forwarded to the hiring manager.

Step 3: Interview

After the hiring manager reviews your profile, a business interview will be scheduled. Depending on the role, this may include technical and/or client-facing interviews to assess your expertise and interaction skills. The recruiter will keep you updated on the next steps throughout this process.

Step 4: Final Decision and Offer

Following the interviews, Cognizant will notify you of the decision. If you’re selected, you’ll receive an offer to join the team.

Step 5: Onboarding

Once you accept the offer, the recruiter will guide you through Cognizant’s onboarding process to prepare you for your new role.

Some of the common HR interview questions to expect at the Cognizant are: 

1. Tell me about yourself.

Sample Answer: I’m a [your profession/degree] with a strong background in [relevant skills or industry]. Over the past few years, I have developed expertise in [specific skills or technologies], particularly focusing on [specific focus areas]. I’m passionate about [specific areas of interest], and I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and collaborating with teams to achieve results. I’m someone who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments, and I’m constantly looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Outside of work, I enjoy [personal interests] which help me maintain a balanced life.

2. Why are you interested in working at Cognizant?

Sample Answer: I’ve always admired Cognizant’s reputation for innovation and delivering cutting-edge solutions to clients across industries. The company’s commitment to digital transformation and its focus on empowering employees through continuous learning really resonates with my professional values. Additionally, I’m excited about the opportunity to work with diverse teams and contribute to the company’s mission of helping clients achieve their business goals using technology. I see Cognizant as a place where I can grow both personally and professionally.

3. What do you know about Cognizant and its culture?

Sample Answer: Cognizant is a leading global professional services company that provides digital, technology, consulting, and operations services. The company has a strong focus on helping clients achieve digital transformation through innovative solutions. Cognizant’s culture is known for being collaborative, inclusive, and empowering, with a strong emphasis on learning and development. I appreciate the company’s commitment to giving back to communities and creating a positive social impact. From what I’ve gathered, the workplace is dynamic, values-driven, and fosters creativity and teamwork.

4. How do you handle working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment?

Sample Answer: I thrive in fast-paced environments because I enjoy the challenge of managing multiple tasks and priorities. My approach is to stay organized, set clear priorities, and focus on delivering results while remaining adaptable to change. I also make sure to communicate effectively with my team, which helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps everyone aligned on key objectives. By staying calm under pressure and maintaining a proactive mindset, I’m able to navigate complex situations and meet deadlines without compromising on quality.

5. Describe a time when you faced a challenging situation at work and how you resolved it.

Sample Answer: In a previous role, I was working on a project with tight deadlines when we encountered a significant technical issue that delayed progress. I took the initiative to bring the team together for a brainstorming session, where we identified the root cause and came up with a revised plan. We broke down the problem into manageable tasks and delegated them based on team members’ strengths. I also communicated regularly with stakeholders to manage expectations. In the end, we resolved the issue ahead of the revised deadline and delivered the project successfully.

6. How do you prioritize your tasks and manage your time effectively?

Sample Answer: I prioritize tasks by first understanding their urgency and importance, aligning them with my long-term goals and the project’s objectives. I use time management tools, like task lists and project management software, to stay organized. I also break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. If something urgent comes up, I reassess my priorities and adjust my schedule accordingly. I believe in maintaining flexibility, but always with an eye on the bigger picture to ensure I’m making the best use of my time.

7. How do you handle working in a team and collaborating with others?

Sample Answer: I enjoy collaborating with others because it brings diverse perspectives that lead to better solutions. I believe in clear communication, active listening, and being open to feedback. In team settings, I ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that we’re all aligned on goals and timelines. I’m also comfortable taking on leadership or supportive roles as needed, depending on the situation. To foster collaboration, I encourage a positive and respectful environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas.

8. What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses?

Sample Answer: My key strengths include my ability to problem-solve creatively, my strong communication skills, and my adaptability in dynamic environments. I’m also highly organized and committed to continuous learning. As for weaknesses, I tend to be a perfectionist at times, which can sometimes slow me down. However, I’ve been working on balancing attention to detail with efficiency by setting more realistic expectations and focusing on delivering quality work on time.

9. How do you handle feedback and criticism from supervisors or clients?

Sample Answer: I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive constructive criticism, I listen carefully, ask clarifying questions if needed, and focus on how I can improve. I always appreciate when feedback is specific and actionable because it helps me make tangible changes. If there’s ever a situation where I disagree with the feedback, I approach it with an open mind, engage in a respectful conversation, and work collaboratively to find common ground and a path forward.

10. Tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership skills.

Sample Answer: At my previous job, I was asked to lead a cross-functional team on a high-priority project with tight deadlines. There were different perspectives and some conflicts regarding how to approach the work, so I facilitated several meetings to encourage open dialogue. I ensured that team members had the resources and support they needed and delegated tasks based on each person’s strengths. By maintaining clear communication and keeping the team motivated, we were able to complete the project on time and exceed client expectations.

11. How do you stay motivated and engaged in your work?

Sample Answer: I stay motivated by setting both short-term and long-term goals and focusing on the impact of my work. I enjoy challenges, so I seek out opportunities to tackle new problems and improve my skills. Additionally, I value recognition, but I find intrinsic satisfaction in knowing that I’m contributing to the success of the team and organization. Keeping a positive attitude, celebrating small wins, and staying curious also help me maintain high engagement in my work.

12. What are your long-term career goals and how do you see yourself growing within Cognizant?

Sample Answer: My long-term career goal is to take on increasing responsibility in [specific role or field], to become an expert in [specific area]. I see myself growing within Cognizant by leveraging the company’s focus on continuous learning and development. I’m eager to take on challenging projects that will help me expand my knowledge and leadership abilities. In the future, I hope to contribute to the company’s strategic initiatives, working closely with clients and teams to drive innovation and success.

13. Why do you want to join Cognizant?

I'm excited about the opportunity to join Cognizant because of its reputation as a leader in technology services and consulting. I admire the company's focus on driving digital transformation for clients across various industries, and I believe that my skills and expertise could contribute to these innovative solutions. Additionally, Cognizant's emphasis on fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture aligns with my own values. The chance to work alongside talented professionals on cutting-edge projects and to help businesses navigate complex challenges.

1. Explain the concept of pointers in C.

A pointer is a variable that stores the address of another variable. It is used to point to the variables indirectly. It makes it possible to manipulate the values.

2. Can you explain memory leaks?

A memory leak occurs when objects available in a heap are not utilised. The garbage collector fails to remove it from memory. Hence these objects are kept in the memory unnecessarily. Memory leaks can lead to performance issues and are bad for the application's health.

3. How does garbage collection work? What algorithm is used in garbage collection?

Garbage collection is a memory management mechanism. An algorithm automatically detects the unused objects in the memory and deletes them.

The most commonly used garbage collection algorithm is Mark and Sweep algorithm.

4. Explain the mark and sweep algorithm.

Objects that are dynamically created are stored in the heap memory. If objects are created without management, the memory will exhaust, crashing the system.

Mark and Sweep algorithm is a garbage collection algorithm. It works in two phases.

In the first phase, the algorithm detects the unused objects in the memory, while in the second phase, these objects are removed from the memory to reclaim the wasted space.

5. What is a dangling pointer?

Pointers that are not initialised with a valid address are called dangling pointers. It occurs during the object destruction phase. The object is destroyed from memory, but the pointer's address is not changed.

6. What is recursion?

The process when a function calls itself directly or indirectly is called Recursion and the corresponding function is called a Recursive function.

7. What is a data type?

A data type is characteristic of the data. It helps the compiler understand how the programmer intends to use the data.

8. Explain malloc function.

The malloc() function stands for memory allocation. It is a function that is used to allocate a block of memory dynamically.

Example:

ptr = (cast-type*) malloc(bite-size);

9. Can you explain a string?

The string is a data type. It is used to represent a sequence of characters.

10. What is an integer?

An integer is a data type. It is used to represent numbers.

11. What is an array?

The array is a collection of similar elements stored in the contiguous memory block. The data stored in the memory can be accessed by index. Arrays are used to store large amounts of data in the memory.

12. What are the primitive data types in Java?

There are eight primitive data types in Java. These data types have no additional methods. It only mentions the size and type of the variable value.

• byte
• short
• int
• long
• float
• double
• boolean
• char

13. What is the difference between int and Integer in Java?

14. What is a bootloader?

The bootloader, also known as the boot manager, is a program essential for booting a computer. It places the computer Operating System into the memory.

15. Explain the difference between interpreter and compiler?

16. What is the OOPs concept?

OOP stands for Object-Oriented Programming. It is about writing code in functions and procedures. The idea is about writing code in a minimalistic way that reuses code. The OOP follows -

• Abstraction
• Inheritance
• Encapsulation
• Polymorphism

17. Explain Abstraction.

Abstraction is the concept of object-oriented programming that shows only essential attributes while hiding the unnecessary data and implementation from the end-user.

18. Explain Inheritance.

Inheritance is a mechanism that allows one object to acquire all the characteristics and properties of another object. A class used for inheritance is called the base class or superclass, while the class that inherits is called a derived class or subclass.

It can be understood from a simple natural example - The son inherits all the properties and characteristics of his parents. You can create multiple objects using the template of parent objects.

19. Explain Encapsulation.

Encapsulation is a way of protecting the data from outside access. It is done by wrapping it under a single program or function.

The data in an encapsulated class is hidden from other classes by declaring the variables of a class as private.

20. Explain Polymorphism.

Polymorphism means taking multiple forms. The object in the program can act in different ways depending on the message or the event occurring.

A very good example of polymorphism is that a man can have different roles like father, son, or uncle yet he is the same person.

21. What is a constructor?

A constructor is used to initialise the state of an object. It is similar to the method. Every time a class is instantiated, a constructor is used for it. During the instantiation, the memory required for the object is allocated.

There are 2 types of constructors in Java

• Default constructor
• Parameterized constructor

22. Explain Destructor.

Destructor is used to destroy the objects that are created while the class was instantiated. It is a special method that gets called when the object lifecycle comes to an end. It can remove the object from the memory and reclaim the space.

The destructor also releases any locks held by the object and closes the database connections.

23. Is constructor overriding possible in Java?

No, you cannot override a constructor in Java. The constructor is similar to a method because it does not work like the Java method. If you try to call a super class’s constructor in a subclass, the compiler treats it as a method and will throw a compilation error.

24. What is constructor overloading?

Constructor overloading can be defined as the concept of having multiple constructors with different parameters so that every constructor can perform a different task.

In Java, these constructors must have unique signatures and for error-free compilation different set of arguments must be passed to the constructor

Example:

Input:

public class Employee {
int uid;
String name;
        
// Default constructor
Employee() {
System.out.println("This is a default constructor");
}
        
// Parameterized constructor
Employee(int i, String n) {
uid = i;
name = n;
}
        
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Object creation using the default constructor
Employee s = new Employee();
System.out.println("\nDefault Constructor values: \n");
System.out.println("Employee uid: " + s.uid + "\nEmployee Name: " + s.name);
            
System.out.println("\nParameterized Constructor values: \n");
// Object creation using the parameterized constructor
Employee employee = new Employee(10, "John");
System.out.println("Employee uid: " + employee.uid + "\nEmployee Name: " + employee.name);
}
}    

Output:

This is a default constructor

Default Constructor values:
Employee uid: 0
Employee Name: null

Parameterized Constructor values:
Employee uid: 10
Employee Name: John

25. Explain virtual functions.

A virtual function is a member function that is declared in the base class and it is overridden by the derived class. The virtual function helps in achieving runtime polymorphism. Rules to keep in mind for virtual functions:

• It cannot be static.
• It should be accessed using a pointer or reference to the base class.
• A class can have a virtual destructor but not a virtual constructor.

26. What are DML statements?

DML is also known as Data Manipulation Language. These statements are used to manipulate the database objects inside the database.

Following are commands in DML

• Insert
• Delete
• Update

27. What are DDL statements?

DDL is also known as Data Definition Language. These statements are used to define or modify objects in the database.

Following are commands in DDL

• Create
• Alter
• Drop
• Truncate

In conclusion, preparing for a Cognizant interview requires a combination of technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and a strong understanding of Cognizant's values and work environment. It's important to research the company, its services, and recent initiatives to demonstrate your interest and alignment with their goals.

To succeed in the interview, be sure to highlight your relevant experience, technical proficiency, and problem-solving skills. Prepare specific examples from your past projects or work experiences that demonstrate your abilities and achievements. Additionally, emphasize your ability to work in teams, adapt to a dynamic environment, handle challenges, and communicate effectively.

Lastly, approach the interview with confidence, be yourself, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the role and the opportunity to work at Cognizant.

1. How should I prepare for a technical interview at Cognizant?

To prepare for a technical interview, review the job requirements, refresh your knowledge in relevant programming languages and technologies, practice problem-solving and coding exercises, and be ready to discuss your past technical experiences.

2. Will there be any technical assessments during the interview process?

Yes, Cognizant often includes technical assessments as part of their interview process. These assessments can range from coding tests to technical problem-solving exercises or case studies, depending on the role you are applying for.

3. Is it important to research about Cognizant before the interview?

Yes, researching Cognizant is crucial before the interview. Understanding the company's background, services, culture, and recent initiatives will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate your interest and knowledge during the interview.

4. What is the L2 round in Cognizant for experienced candidates?

The L2 round in Cognizant for experienced candidates is a technical interview conducted by senior technical leads or managers. The focus is on assessing your depth of knowledge in specific technologies and problem-solving abilities based on real-world project scenarios.